Nicole is someone you look up to and seek advice from. She is one of the biggest patient advocates that I know and has always shared her love and knowledge of the nursing practice with those around her. In the past 5 years that I have worked alongside Nicole, I have seen countless patients under her care, and although she is now a full-time nurse educator, her passion for nursing has always been unwavering. She makes sure we are educated in best practices, and she seeks out and sets up educational opportunities to allow us to further develop our skills and knowledge of the nursing profession. She is always available when you need advice on patient situations, even if she is off the clock. She will help out on the floor if the unit is busy, and she is always willing to help us with patient care if there is a skill we don’t do as often and need an extra set of hands to make sure it’s done safely and effectively.

I’m extremely grateful for everything she’s taught me over these past few years, and watching her take care of and interact with patients is always so inspiring. Her ability to remain calm and confident in her practice helps patients and fellow nurses to feel at ease when she is in attendance during high-stress situations. She’s not only taught me how to be a better nurse skill-wise, but she has also taught me how to advocate for my patients and how to put patients' thoughts and feelings into perspective when caring for them. She has taught me how to safely and effectively manage critical patients while supporting and educating their families along the way, as well as helping guide me to be a better, more confident, and competent charge nurse. I hope I can continue to learn from Nicole for years to come. She truly is an amazing nurse who embodies everything this award represents.