Members of the 15CD clinical practice council, from left: Matthew Janik, BSN, RN; Suzette Moniz, BSN, RN; Kaylie Stewart, BSN, RN; Joyce I. Johnson, MS, RN (nurse director); Caprie Bell, MSN, RN; Leonora Johnson, BSN, RN; and Elizabeth Cohn, MSN, RN

For the nurses on 15CD, “allowing for miracles” is the essence of the care they provide to their patients and their families, who are primarily surgical oncology patients. The unit’s clinical practice council even created blue rubber bracelets with the words “allowing for miracles” in yellow writing. Not only do the nurses wear these bracelets, but they also give them to their surgical oncology patients, along with a tag that says “We are committed to you and your journey.”

Members of the clinical practice council found that the bracelets often serve as a conversation starter between patients and their family members about the patient’s goals for care and what a “miracle” would be in the patient’s eyes.

A miracle isn’t necessarily a cure, but something to look forward to. For some patients, their miracle might be making it to a specific event, such as their daughter’s wedding or the birth of a grandson. For other patients, being able to spend time with family who has traveled from long distances may be their miracle.

Each patient has a different miracle in mind. The nurses on 15CD believe that in taking the time to be present and listen to their patients, they are allowing for and noticing miracles that happen all around the unit.

Members of the 15CD clinical practice council show their “Allowing for Miracles” bracelets.