A nurse discusses her efforts to comfort patient families, and the families she has become part of in this way.

As a nurse, I go to work every day to help people feel better to get back to doing the things they love. Sometimes, we just can’t do enough and people don’t recover.

This kills me but I have to realize that the families of patients also need my help. Even when a patient passes away, I still feel that I can help the family and they can help me. 

Here is a picture of a NYPD officer whose father was struck with terminal COVID-19. As we went through this journey together, trying to save his dad, we leaned on each other for support. I tried to help him get through this tough time by giving him updates every day, and visiting his dad on any floor he was transferred to. 

In the end, his dad lost his battle with this disease. But I gained a friend in the family, and was invited into their home. I learned so much about this great man I had cared for. 

He was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather who loved life. He was a hard worker who loved to whistle. He always made time to spend with his family. Doing this gave me closure, and I gained a new family. 

This is a picture of his son, taken while we were going through this struggle together. We became friends at the end, and I am proud to say that he’s like my little brother.

Ana Wilkinson, RN, NYC