Seven months ago I began my nursing education and my work as a CNA in a long-term care facility. My workplace has a wide variety of patients, ranging from fully independent people who need their medications from a nurse, to completely dependent people with tracheotomies and are fully comatose. Although forming friendships with those patients who are able to interact well is very enjoyable, my heart has a special place for those who are unable to perform their own cares, speak, or even open their eyes. That tenderness began with a woman whom I will refer to as Diane. Diane is a patient on our tracheotomy floor. When I first met her, the introduction I was given was, "be careful: she's confused, a pincher, and refuses all cares." Naturally with that kind of background information, I was initially cautious going into her room and felt as though there was a barrier keeping me from having truly therapeutic interactions with her. The warning, however, proved to be true. She refused all cares, so I stopped asking and started telling her what would happen. She would reach out her one arm that worked and would try to pinch during any kind of interaction that was more than helping her eat. It wasn't until a month later when I was reassigned to be her CNA that I realized what was happening. I had been paired with another aid, whom I'll call Lindsey. When Lindsey and I entered Diane's room, Lindsey immediately brightened her mood and was excited to see Diane. She struck up a conversation, even though Diane's tracheotomy prevented her from verbally conversing; but I noticed that Lindsey was reading the patient's lips. Before I fully comprehended what was happening, I'd learned that Diane loved fishing. Her father took her out every weekend in the summer to fish. She even told us where her favorite fishing spot is. As the conversation came to a close, so did the care we were providing. It finally clicked for me. Because of my initial introduction, I'd had a preconceived expectation that no matter what I did, Diane would pinch or refuse. The opposite was true; in treating her just as any other client, she was pulled out of her confused and frightened state for a few moments. That not only enabled us to complete her care, but restored her dignity and provided her with the therapeutic interactions she was in need of. Since that experience, my approach to learning has been greatly enhanced. While prior to that experience I would run with whatever I was told, I strive to look beyond that. I do more than is required and find new ways to reach goals when obstacles arrive. I hope to continue putting those skills into practice educationally and in my workplace. Every patient deserves a nurse that will be creative in paving the way for their healing - and those needs go far beyond the medications, procedures, and daily cares.