Jessica has been my nurse hero from the beginning of my nursing career. She has always been the nurse that I've looked up to for her remarkable intelligence, her dedication to her patients, her infectious good attitude, and her patience to teach others. Six years ago, from the beginning, I remember her when I was precepting my last year in nursing school. I remembered the attention, patience, and knowledge she had with her patients but also with students. Four years later, I got to work alongside her in pediatrics. These past three years, I have been in awe of her dedication to her work as an outstanding and caring nurse. She is a fountain of knowledge and serves as a great resource for all of us on the unit. She is always willing to teach students, new nurses, and experienced nurses and takes time to explain thoroughly. I remember her teaching me how to do an IV and even letting me practice on her and now I chose her to train me as a charge nurse. She is honest and fair as a leader, and I have always wanted to be just like her. Jessica is a thoughtful nurse. A perfect picture I have of her is when she was in charge, she found the time to sit at a toddler patient's bedside one morning to brush their teeth. As she brushed their teeth, she talked to them. It was at that moment I knew she is the nurse I wanted to emulate; the one I wanted for myself If I ever needed one, the one I would want for my own children, and the nurse that I would want to be presented with this Award.

Jessica is a great resource and a fair and caring leader. She is one of the smartest nurses I know. She constantly states she needs a refresher on pathophysiology, but she constantly engages students and challenges staff to critically think about medical diagnoses and appropriate cares and skills to master. I resort to asking her any questions that come up because I trust her understanding. Not only does she care for her patients during the shift, but as a leader, a charge nurse, she checks on all the nurses on shift and is never one to back out from helping, even if it is for moral support. A week ago, she offered her time, just to be there for me for moral support. That is the type of leader any person longs for: one who supports and offers help at any time.

Jessica is attentive and selfless and never ceases to inspire me every day. The most recent encounter of Jessica's dedication to patient care was a week ago. All in one day, she showered her total care patient and then made it a goal to shower another patient that had been on our unit for 3 weeks. This patient wasn't even her assigned patient, but she made it happen. Although it was a 3-hour process of bathing, washing the patient's matted hair, and combing it out. She did it. She accomplished the goal she set, and I can bet that the patient, although unable to speak and thank her was grateful to have someone that truly cared. Jessica cared enough to scrub in between the patient's toes and clean their face with face wash. The patient just lay there during the process, probably feeling blessed for the time Jessica took to clean her. I know Jessica would have done more for that patient, but time caught up.

During that shift, I was speechless. I'm in awe of her as a nurse and I cannot think of a better way of showing her how amazing she is than by nominating her for this prestigious award. Her patients have been so lucky and although most may not remember everything, I do. She has been my nurse hero from the very beginning of my 6-year nursing career. Now that I'm leaving the unit working alongside her, I want her to remember that everything she does is seen and appreciated. I want her to know and be recognized for the stellar performance she brings to this career and the inspiration she bestows on us all. She deserves this award for her dedication to her profession, but mostly for demonstrating what every nurse should strive to be.