I was admitted into the adult behavioral health unit 2 from the ER because of my struggles with depression, bipolar disorder, and suicidal thoughts. Initially being in the hospital was the scariest occurrence of my life, and I've never been more anxious. To add to my anxiety, I was on the phone with my dad from the ER, and he convinced me that I was going to be kicked out of nursing school for this all and that I would lose everything over my hospitalization. Soon after my phone call, I was admitted.

Jessica admitted me to the unit, and she was so thoughtful and considerate that she made sure the students from my nursing program at NIACC who were helping out on the unit were all gone before I was admitted so that they wouldn't see me. She thought ahead and considerately protected my privacy and protected me from the potential embarrassment and awkwardness of encountering fellow students in the program while I was on the other side, as a patient in the behavioral health unit.

Additionally, she told me that while the NIACC nursing students were in this clinical rotation, she’d make sure they wouldn’t be on my floor and see me at all. None of the other nurses or staff members even thought about this, and it really meant a lot to me that Jessica evaluated the whole picture, recognized how that might affect me, and protected me. Beyond this kind gesture, Jessica also took the time to welcome me and show me around the unit, explain some general rules, and put my mind at ease. She reassured me that it was a good thing that I came and was safe now, and she was glad I came and was safe. She showed me my room and then asked me some questions about what was going on and how I was feeling. I told her about everything and about my call with my dad, and she listened to me, comforted me, and encouraged me. I have no doubt that she was extremely busy and had a million other things to do, but she selflessly and kindly took the time out of her busy schedule to welcome me and talk to me, and this was what got me to calm down and be at ease.

After this, she also routinely checked in with me to track my thinking and watch out for me. Also, later that evening when my new doctor came in to talk to me, she also thoughtfully joined him to put me at ease because she knew from her assessment that I had recently been a victim of sexual assault, and she realized that me being alone with a male doctor might be a trigger, so she selflessly sacrificed the time out of her busy schedule and joined him, looking out for me there, too.

Jessica always went the extra mile in her care, and is a very thoughtful and exceptional nurse. Jessica models all the values and concepts that great nurses use every day in their practice. She goes above and beyond for all patients. And her character as a nurse has inspired me, and I hope to be an outstanding nurse like her one day. Also, as a result of my experience in the unit with great nurses, such as Jessica, I am considering mental health as my nursing specialty. Jessica calmed me down, considered my needs, looked out for me, went the extra mile, truly cared for us patients, and made my experience of being admitted into the behavioral health unit a life-changing experience. Her actions and kindness really inspired me. I appreciate the care I got at Mercy One North Iowa from Jessica and the nursing staff.