On the day I met Ruby, I was on the other side of the ICU hospital bed. My mother-in-law was in that bed. Miss Ruby was very patient with all my questions. She not only educated us as a family about the situation but also oriented us to the ICU. Explaining her assessment along the way, including the titration of medications and the use of the VS monitor, all while orienting a new ICU nurse. Ruby was always calm, and her presence brought peace. This was the first night I met Ruby while my mother-in-law was awake and oriented.

The next night was much different. Re-intubation, 3 pressors, and a very poor prognosis. Ruby was at the bedside again with her orientee. Ruby had a very heightened sense of urgency, but still brought peace to our family at the bedside. I felt a sense of relief knowing Ruby was there to guide the family through the difficult time. Ruby acknowledged I was a nurse and quickly explained what was being done in nurse lingo, and we briefly discussed the patient's condition. She made me feel part of the team, which allowed me to explain to the waiting room family what was going on. She calmly explained and repeated any answers to the family's questions. She made us feel acknowledged and a part of the patient's care.

In the end, my mother-in-law passed peacefully. Ruby followed all of my father-in-law's requests to a peaceful passing, much like a birth plan; she respected his death plan to a T. Ruby never left her side or the family's. I observed ways to improve bedside manner and verbiage from Ruby that I will use in my own nursing career. Thank you, Ruby, for being an incredible ICU nurse, role model, and source of peace in the chaos. Ruby is what every ICU nurse should aspire to be. Thank you for the peace and impact you made on us.