Abby is a newer nurse on our unit who shows tremendous potential. Not only does she have incredibly mature critical thinking abilities, but she has the most magnetic personality that allows her to connect with her patients in such a unique way. She is patient and gentle with even the most difficult patients, and she always puts her whole heart into her care. One particular example comes to mind that encompasses Abby as a caregiver. We had a patient who was driving through Virginia from out of state and came in with respiratory distress requiring intubation. He had a history of throat cancer and had been through multiple intubations, a failed attempt at an emergent cric, and ended up remaining fully awake on the ventilator while he awaited his tracheostomy placement. He had severe anxiety while he waited and impaired communication since he couldn't even mouth words with the endotracheal tube in his mouth. Abby would sit in the room with him, playing tic-tac-toe, cards, writing back and forth on a whiteboard, and just keeping him company as if she was a visitor. She calmed his fears and provided companionship that he otherwise wouldn't have had since his family couldn't come from out of state, all while keeping up with her normal duties as an ICU RN. She has a genuine love for her role in these patients' lives and a true instinct for the job. We are all so proud of the nurse she is growing to be and can't wait to see how much of an impact she leaves on Augusta Health!