I have been a nurse at Baptist Health Louisville for over 5 years. I have precepted many students and new graduate nurses over the years. More recently, I have taught several clinical sessions for Bellarmine University at Baptist Health Louisville. Hospitals can be a scary, intimidating place for nursing students. Many of them have no prior clinical experience and are unsure what to expect in the hospital setting.

Often, they are afraid to ask questions that may make them feel inadequate or embarrassed. All nurses know firsthand how difficult nursing school clinicals can be. In all my years of teaching and precepting, I have never encountered a soul like Jymie Salahuddin. From the moment I first set foot on 6 East to teach my first clinical, he greeted my students with the warmest smile. Jymie creates such an inviting, safe space for learning. Week after week, I witness firsthand how his demeanor puts my nervous students at ease. 

After multiple semesters in his unit, I have never seen him in a bad mood. Despite the emotional and physical weight of patient care, he always makes time to freely share his nursing knowledge and kind encouragement with new nursing skills. Each week in post conference, Jymie’s name is said again and again as my students share with me how he creates a supportive atmosphere for them. They enjoy his precepting so much that I have developed a roster to rotate who spends the clinical day with him!

Moreover, his kindness does not stop with students. I often see him laughing with his coworkers and patients, building uplifting relationships all day long. He spreads warmth and positivity in an environment that needs it most. It is said that it takes a special person to be a nurse. However, no one can be a nurse quite like Jymie!