I’ll start by saying that I’m an RN in the ICU at St. John Medical Center. It’s been almost a year and a half since my stomach perforated, requiring emergency surgery and a six-day stay on the surgical floor. It was September of 2021, and we were in the throes of the COVID-19 delta surge. We all remember what that was like, so I won’t get into the details, except to say that all staff of every discipline were completely overwhelmed. Despite this, I didn’t have a single complaint during my stay, and everyone I encountered, from the ED to the OR to the surgical floor, was polite and professional.

Of the five nights I spent in the hospital, Eric Botten was my nurse for three or four of them. Again, all of my nurses were good, but Eric stood out as exceptional. I know that he had many other patients, but he made me feel like I was the only person he was taking care of, even though he was getting calls on his Vocera constantly. Not once did he appear overwhelmed or frustrated. When he knew he would be unavailable or tied up for a bit, he would let me know and make sure I didn’t need anything beforehand. My pain and nausea were well controlled, and I got plenty of rest. It was very apparent to me that Eric cares deeply for his patients. Nursing isn’t just a job for him, it’s a passion. He takes pride in his role as a caregiver and it shows. That, or he’s a great actor!

From a professional perspective, Eric’s delivery of care was worth modeling. I left the hospital with a greater understanding of the impact nurses can make on the recovery of their patients. He wasn’t just my nurse, he was also a mentor. He made an impression on me that hasn’t faded since my discharge. I also believe that his example has helped me to improve my own patient care.