Melissa Nichols is a senior nursing student who will complete her BSN in August 2015. She was nominated by a faculty member who remarked on her strengths of empathy, responsibility and discipline. She has a calming approach and is sensitive to patients' needs....makes the extra time to talk to patients and allow them to verbalize any concerns or fears (oncology unit). She had a patient with a new tracheostomy tube and did a great job explaining the procedure and rationale, as well as excellent technique. She paid specific attention to the patient's non-verbal communication and put the patient at ease. She addressed an issue with dressing changes related to the skin around the tracheostomy tube and advocated for best care for him.