As an educator, she exceptionally helped foster a deeper understanding of topics we didn’t cover during nursing school; as a nurse educator, she exceptionally brought joy, sparkle, confidence, and compassion to my nursing heart. Today we had a simulation on 3 different patients, one was exhibiting sepsis, one was conflicting with code status and going into respiratory distress, and one was having a seizure and we had to do a CIWA assessment due to their extensive ETOH history. I not only saw these scenarios with a different perspective as we haven’t seen these during nursing school to this level of complexity, but I also remembered today why I became a nurse and realized that the long shifts and hours we spend learning on how to become a nurse was worth it.

These were all complex scenarios and I was so perplexed even in a team setting. But Ms. Deirdre came at us with not an easy demeanor, but as that charge nurse, as that provider, as that resource that we needed during tough times. She provided us with so much amazing feedback like a good teacher, mother, seasoned empathetic nurse would, and I never felt left out. It was okay to make mistakes and because of the teaching environment she led today, I left today feeling more confident about my skills and about my career in nursing—remembering why I did this in the first place.

Here and there last week, during orientation and my first week as a resident nurse, she was the last educator to speak and she would always say how she was only 2 months into her educator role, and how she wanted to learn from us like we did from her. Well, today and from our previous encounters and class, she did that whole-heartedly and compassionately, comparable to a veteran and well-seasoned nurse educator.

I hope that she sticks to this job for a while, because she’s in the right line in getting education and support for the future of nursing right—even this early on! She takes criticism and feedback amazingly and I know that her research from today’s responses will better shape, not only the future simulations we have at St. David’s HCA, but nursing in general.

I appreciate nurse educators and education as a whole even during nursing school. But until today, I have never appreciated the hard work, detail, and dedication these nurse educators do for us. So thank you to Ms. Deirdre! Have a blessed day!