Faith Britton, RN

During my CVICU clinical rotation at MH TMC, I had the privilege of being precepted by a nurse who profoundly shaped not only my growth as a nursing student, but also the future nurse I hope to become. From the very beginning, Faith stood out to me. She never treated me as "just a student." While many students spend clinicals simply shadowing their preceptor, she intentionally included me in every aspect of patient care. She continuously challenged me to think critically, asking questions that pushed me beyond memorization and encouraged me to understand the reasoning behind clinical decisions. She took the time to explain disease processes, medications, interventions, and hemodynamics in a way that made complex concepts feel approachable. She wanted me to truly understand the "why" behind what we do, and because of that, I grew tremendously in both confidence and clinical judgment.

What made her mentorship even more meaningful, however, was her kindness. Despite working in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment, she always made time to get to know me as a person. She listened to my thoughts, encouraged my questions, and genuinely cared about my goals and experiences. She treated me as someone worth investing in, not simply someone assigned to follow her for a shift. One moment that stands out most to me may seem small. During one of our shifts, we had a moment to sit down and eat breakfast together. As simple as that sounds, it was an experience I had never had as a nursing student before. It gave me the opportunity to talk with her, learn from her beyond the bedside, and feel welcomed rather than an outsider. That simple act of kindness made a lasting impression on me because it showed the type of person Faith is, someone who values connection, mentorship, and making others feel included. She not only taught me how to be a better nursing student, but she also showed me the kind of nurse I aspire to be.

Her knowledge, compassion, and dedication to both her patients and her students are truly exceptional. She solidified my passion for becoming a CVICU nurse, and I often found myself in awe of her ability to care for critically ill patients while simultaneously teaching and supporting those around her. Her impact on me extends far beyond this clinical rotation. Years from now, I may not remember every lesson from nursing school, but I will remember how she made me feel capable, included, and inspired. I hope that one day, when I am precepting a nursing student of my own, I can offer even a fraction of the guidance, encouragement, and kindness she gave me. For these reasons, I am honored to nominate Faith for a DAISY Award, and I couldn't think of anyone better who fits the criteria.