Olivia Infante
October 2018
Olivia
Infante
,
RN, BSN
Oncology Unit
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack
,
NJ
United States

 

 

 

Olivia Infante is an extraordinary nurse who provides exemplary care to both her patients and their family members regularly, however, this past weekend Olivia truly went above and beyond.
Olivia was caring for a patient who was, unfortunately, succumbing to their disease. The patient was placed on in-patient hospice care with the primary goal being comfort and pain control. Over the weekend, Olivia established a close relationship with the patient and learned that her husband had died two years earlier and that the patient's oldest daughter was getting married this upcoming October. The patient was realistic about her diagnosis and knew she would not make it to her daughter's fall wedding. Plans were being made for the patient's daughter to be married by their priest at the hospital, so the patient could be present for this special occasion, and so the patient's daughter could have the support of her only living parent on her wedding day.
When Olivia learned of the upcoming "wedding" she made it her responsibility to make the day special. Despite having worked a 12-hour shift and having to be back at 7 am the following day, Olivia left work and began wedding planning. Olivia spent the night making bouquets with real flowers and recruited the help of her mother to make beautiful wedding themed cupcakes to serve at the "reception." The following day, Olivia helped the patient to freshen up and prepare for the wedding. At 2:00 Olivia, with the help of her colleagues, accompanied the patient to the garden where they both watched the patient's daughter get married.
Despite the circumstances, the day was filled with love, happiness, and gratitude. While many members of the organization helped to facilitate the ceremony, Olivia's actions helped to turn it into a true wedding.