I, unfortunately, became the patient instead of the nurse. Nicole Rice, RN was very generous with her time and willingness to help during my time of need. All week prior to the fourth, Nicole had been working each day and passing in front of my office door to check on my respiratory status. I have a chronic lung disease and my monthly infusion was delayed, thus causing my health to deteriorate. Each day, Nicole would walk past the office and toss in cough drops to try to aid with my constant cough. As the week progressed, my respiratory status worsened until I was diagnosed with pneumonia.

On Friday, Nicole came to my office and started asking questions related to my medical history and medications. At the time, I was working on payroll; I looked up and realized Nicole was "triaging" me while I was sitting at my desk. We laughed; I told her I had to finish payroll and then I would go to check myself in at ER. I was seen as a patient at MCS ED and admitted to the hospital with pneumonia as I had expected the outcome would be. Nicole became my primary nurse. I can only imagine how nervous a nurse would be to have to care for their manager. Instead of transporting to hospital via ambulance, Nicole drove to downtown Louisville Jewish Hospital and stayed with me. I did not have enough oxygen to help with check-in, so Nicole helped with that. Even offering to pick me up after discharge.

In addition to the personal story, Nicole has stepped up on the nursing dept. to lead Shared Governance for our ED. She has started assisting with relief charge nurse duties, and is willing to work multiple shifts to help with staffing needs. Nicole balances the responsibilities of being a mother of 2 boys and a priest's wife, all while returning to college to obtain her master's degree in Nursing Administration and earning multiple nursing certifications, and working as a full-time staff nurse in the ED.