Nicole renewed my dwindling hope of getting through a tough night a few months ago. It was the holiday season, Covid was at its peak, over 40 patients in the ER past 10 pm and I am in charge. I was already overwhelmed worrying about how I am going to get patients in and out of the ER, worrying about how I was going to relieve the ER nurses who have now worked 12 hours, and safely take care of patients, and at my lowest part of my night, in walks a patient who is going to need a qualified provider. This patient was a victim of sexual assault, and when they checked in my heart went into my stomach. I walked up to Nicole saying, “I am just asking to check all my boxes before I call the manager, but a sexual assault patient just checked in and I was wondering…” and before I could finish my sentence Nicole said yes.

The night never slowed down, but after Nicole accepted to stay way beyond her shift, she gave me a renewed sense of hope and I could not stop smiling the rest of the night. I will never forget this night because when I was drowning, my teammate Nicole threw a life vest when I needed it most. What is even more significant is that this was the second time within a week that Nicole at the 11th hour of her shift stayed to help the team with a sexual assault patient during a busy time. Showing Nicole’s resilience and dedication to her team and the community she serves.