A patient coded on the floor and was transferred to MICU, Jubeth was the nurse assigned to that patient. She was also orienting a new nurse that night. Jubeth worked tirelessly with this patient, all while explaining to the family every step of the way, what measures were being taken and the desired outcomes. After all channels were exhausted, it was evident that the patient's condition would not improve.

It was very clear that this patient was loved dearly and was very impactful on the lives of his family and friends. The patient had a large family, all of whom wanted to be at his bedside as he took his final breaths. Jubeth was very accommodating and encouraged all the family to be at the bedside.

Providing care to an unstable patient is not only labor intensive but can also be very stressful. Having an orientee during such an emergent situation also adds to that stress. However, Jubeth conducted herself very gracefully. Patiently educating and updating the family with each intervention, accommodating their individual requests, providing tissues and refreshments, rearranging furniture, giving hugs and holding hands all while educating her orientee.

After learning that the patient was a musician, she respectfully asked the family if she could play some music for them, they agreed, and all sang along to the instrumental as it was being played. This changed the climate in the room but only for as long as the song lasted. After the very difficult and painful decision was made to make the patient a DNR and to only employ comfort measures, once again Jubeth thought of what she could do to somehow make this experience less painful for his loved ones.

As I stood outside the patient's room, I heard another song being played, however this time there was singing. I entered the room only to realize that the singing was not coming from a device, but from Jubeth herself. Knowing that there was nothing she could clinically to save her patient, she provided what the family had told us he loved most, music. She stood at her patient's bedside, in his dying moment and with the most beautiful voice, sang the song in its entirety. There was not a dry eye in the room, not amongst the family nor the staff. We were all brought to tears. It turned what was possibly the worst moment of their lives, from one of just grief to a celebration of his life.

After she was finished, they all took turns thanking him for what he had done in their lives. After she exited the room, we hugged, and she shared with me that she had lost her father and never got the chance to say goodbye. She said she was actually here at WHH, sitting at Pod 2's nursing station when she received the phone call from her mother. She explained that this was one of her motivations for encouraging the patient's family to be present during this time.

I shared with her that I too lost my mother suddenly and did not get the chance to say goodbye and the impact that it has on me to this day. After the patient passed, Jubeth allowed the family to remain with him until they were ready to leave. They all hugged and thanked her for the excellent care she provided to their loved one.

At the end of the shift Jubeth sat with her orientee privately, I only know this because I happened to walk into the area in which they were sitting, to do a recap of the events of the shift. She asked her what else she could do to facilitate her growth and learning as a new ICU nurse. "What more can I do to help you?' she asked. I was once again touched by her selflessness.

After all the events of that night, Jubeth still offered more of herself. Not once did she berate, belittle or lose patience with her orientee. I have had the pleasure of working with Jubeth for only a few months and I can say with all certainty, that she is the embodiment of a true nurse. Florence Nightingale would be so proud.

She is kind, compassionate, caring, helpful and accommodating. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and to share knowledge whenever she can. She consistently goes above and beyond for her patients. She is diligent, very dependable and extremely meticulous as it relates to the care of her patients, and to top it all off, she does all this with a smile. Jubeth Arriesgado is being recognized for her courage, her compassion, her selflessness and her dedication to her patients, family and fellow staff. The level of compassion displayed in this particular situation is commendable.

This is Jubeth's Second Award!