I was admitted to St. Francis with a fracture to my T12 vertebrae and my right pelvic area. I did not initially know if I would need surgery and there were a lot of apprehensions built up in me. I didn't know if I would have long-term issues or potentially could be paralyzed if I moved too much as the neurosurgeon had not yet weighed in on the extent of my injury. My anxiety level was at the maximum, to say the least.

Hope was my nurse in SICU and she helped alleviate my anxiety with her tremendous bedside manner. I still was anxious but it was so helpful to have Hope's smiling face in the room (yes - even with a mask on you could tell she was smiling). I found out that I did not need surgery but stayed in SICU for the next 30 hours until I was moved to another room. Hope was my nurse again the second night and she was so kind to take extra time to talk to me and get to know me as a person and not just a patient.

I know how busy all the nurses were and for her to take extra time to make sure everything was okay really meant the world to me. I want to nominate Hope for this award as my life could have changed dramatically due to my injuries and she really helped me through this trying time. Hope has a way of making you feel at ease no matter how terrible your injuries are by showing her caring nature which is the highest characteristic of a nurse in my book. Hope was not just going through the motions as she was helping my physical and mental well-being. I want to thank her for her dedication to her profession.