Tonight, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of our Kaiser patients and his father who were waiting for an admission in Med-Surg. This patient wanted to speak to me because he was very grateful for having an amazing nurse who he felt became a friend in the short time she took care of him.

Just a quick history of the patient which Kristin took care of: He had a car accident and was bedridden in a skilled nursing facility receiving care. He is a 25-year-old male who feels he has lost all confidence in healthcare due to his current situation of losing the ability to care for himself.

He has even refused care to anyone but his family because of his frustration of not being able to do things on his own. After coming here tonight and having Kristin as his primary nurse, he has not felt that negativity toward nurses as he did before arriving here at Kaiser.

He feels that he can trust nurses again. Kristin made him feel like a person, a friend, and someone who still matters, not just another patient who is taking resources.

As I spoke to this patient and his father, they both appeared to be joyful and even teary-eyed. I can tell Kristin made a difference in their lives and an everlasting moment they have never experienced. Kristin exemplifies what an extraordinary caretaker should encompass, she is caring for her coworkers and her patients. She has assisted her coworkers in any situation. She offers nothing but excellence in all she does. She is quiet but makes the biggest impact on everyone's lives.