CASE STUDY Louise Damiani’s work is an emotional roller coaster most days. The oncology nurse at CentraState Healthcare System in Freehold Township, New Jersey, soars with joy as patients beat their cancer into remission. Then there are the low points when one of her patients is given grim news about his or her cancer. She also battles with the frustration of office politics.

But even after a long shift, Damiani doesn’t let her negative emotions surface until she gets into her car and heads home. "You have to learn how to pick and choose and not bring that emotion up," Damiani advises. "You say, ‘OK, I can deal with this. I can focus on the priority, and the priority is the patient.’"

As well as managing her own emotions, Damiani has mastered the skill of creating positive emotions in others. She recently received an award in recognition of her extraordinary sensitivity toward patients’ needs and concerns. For example, one of Damiani’s patients wa