As clinical healthcare professionals, we have all been in situations where we have developed special bonds with patients and their families. Explain how you handle such situations when these patients face difficult diagnoses or unexpectedly pass away.

"Working in the inpatient section of a cancer center, this is, unfortunately, something I have dealt with many times in my career. I always strive to build relationships with my patients and their family members, as I find this makes them feel more comfortable and at ease in a very difficult situation. However, because I develop these personal connections, it is often devastating for me when things do not go well for the patient, and I see them and their family members upset. In these types of situations, I first give the patient and/or family, depending on the situation, a bit of time to be with one another. Then, I stop in and ask if they need anything and offer my condolences. I also provide information on community resources, if needed. It is my job to support the family and not make the situation harder on them, so if I find myself becoming emotional, I step into a private staff-only area and take a few seconds to compose myself."