An experienced nurse observes your distress after leaving the room of a patient who has just told her family that her cancer has recurred and is in an advanced state. She tells you that you better...

An experienced nurse observes your distress after leaving the
room of a patient who has just told her family that her cancer
has recurred and is in an advanced state. She tells you that
you better “toughen up” if you want to survive in nursing. She
counsels not getting emotionally involved with patients and
families: “Become a rock.” How do you respond to this nurse
and why? Of what value, if any, is empathy?