My father passed away after being on 5K for several weeks. During his admission, Nichole was a constant blessing to my dad and our whole family. I would like to recognize Nichole for the extraordinary care, compassion, and humanity she showed my father and our family during the most difficult moments of our lives.

Nichole treated my dad with respect and genuine kindness, never seeing him as just a patient, but as a person who mattered. She was never anything but kind, even when his disease process caused confusion, some aggression, and constant needs for cleaning up and repositioning. She is also knowledgeable and experienced, which provided a sense of safety even when we could not be by his side.

What stood out most was Nichole’s compassion. She offered comfort with both her words and her actions, and created an atmosphere of peace during a time filled with grief. She supported not only my dad but our entire family, and her empathy will never be forgotten. Because of Nichole, my dad’s final moments were filled with dignity and care, and our family felt supported during a painful goodbye.

Her kindness left a lasting impact on us, and I will always be grateful for the way she cared for my dad when it mattered most. As Nichole hugged us, prayed with us, and made sure we had the resources and comfort items needed to get us through that last day, I was overwhelmed with a sense of comfort, knowing we were getting the best care possible.

I myself have been a nurse in this network for over a decade, holding many hands during their final moments, and I still look up to Nichole as an example of what a nurse should be. Nichole truly represents the heart of nursing, and she is deeply deserving of this DAISY Award.