Melissa is a caring and compassionate nurse. She always puts her patients' needs first. The one situation in particular that left an everlasting impression with me is the very reason for this nomination. On 3SW we had a patient who was on our unit for almost two months and had a cardiac restricted diet. He ate the same thing almost every day and every meal. Melissa, being the nurse she is, thought to ask the physician if it would be ok to bring in some home-cooked food for this patient. I was not here the day the patient got to eat the stew, but he raved about it for days and weeks after. He told me how wonderful the meal was and how thoughtful it was that she took the time to make it and bring some in for him. This, in my eyes, is exactly the type of nurse I want taking care of me someday. She is everything that is wonderful about nursing. She models empathy and shows compassion and caring to all her patients.
Thank you, Melissa, for all you do!!