Patricia Stille Lederman, Group Editor

As a traveler—like Beth Watts, RN, the cardiac and med/surg nurse who practiced inside The Beltway and is highlighted in "Travel nursing in big cities"—you may have had the opportunity to care for such influential personalities. Or maybe you've experienced similar cases where patients—or family members—have expired unexpectedly. While it is next to impossible to prepare yourself for such traumatic circumstances during a shift or even off duty, there is something you can do to eliminate a number of regrets.

Don't take anything—or anyone—for granted. The next time you go to work, do something special for your patients. Show them you care by spending a few extra minutes holding their hands or listening to stories. Make them more comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. And never forget to attend to the little needs of their families—from offering coffee, water, or tissues, to providing bedding for overnight comfort. Similarly, demonstrate how you feel about your colleagues on a daily basis. Thank them for their kindness or congratulate them on jobs well done. Invite them to dinner. Or offer to take an extra shift or two so they can spend more time with their loved ones.

Finally, never have the occasion to say "If only...." As a traveler, you can easily explore different regions, cultures, and practice settings. So, make every day count, like Melinda Polk, BSN, RN, the winner of this year's Faces and Places Writing Contest. Following her lead, find your own "quiet wonder." Fall in love with the beauty at your next assignment locale. And create unforgettable memories that refuse to be taken for granted.