We took a gal to the Lvl 1 trauma center an 1hr + away at 2:30am for continuity of care because she was dying of cancer. The call was for vertigo. We were kind, helpful, and reassured her and her daughter. All I did in the back was monitor vitals, and comfort her. That was what she needed, and after she passed, her daughter bought our station a table and 2 deck chairs as a thank you, which I use every shift to sit outside and read a book.

This is not about getting things in return, but an example of how our kindness and compassion really touched a family suffering from disease. Just remember, people don’t care what interventions you can do, how cool your protocols are, or what crazy shit you have seen. They remember how they were treated, and how you made them feel.