Rachel was her on her day off volunteering to assist with nursing reorientation. A cachectic chemotherapy patient was in the unit that day visiting one of her family members. This particular woman had formerly been a patient of Rachel's and although her cognitive abilities were marginal, she had been very fond of Rachel and remembered her. When she had been an inpatient, she felt that Rachel was the only nurse with a gentle enough touch to administer her neupogen injection. In fact, she adamantly refused to allow anyone else to give her that shot.

While visiting her family member, this lady spotted Rachel and immediately latched on to her. It turned out that our former patient was now being followed in the outpatient oncology department and was due for another neupogen injection. Rachel generously offered to administer the shot in outpatient oncology, which the patient gratefully accepted. Again, Rachel's gentle touch resulted in a positive outcome for this patient.

Afterwards, Rachel promised to return to outpatient oncology in three weeks to administer the next scheduled neupogen injection. The compassion Rachel demonstrates to all her patients, even after they're discharged, is what makes her a wonderful nurse.