My mother was a patient for four weeks, and it was a roller coaster; we never knew what to expect. Everything was new and frightening to me as I watched her struggle. I felt like we were at a standstill with her care. I received a call from Nikki that my mom was yelling out, and the night nurse indicated to her that she was doing the same thing.

 Instead of Nikki giving my mom something to calm her down,  she went down to ask my mom what was bothering her. She told Nikki she was just lonely and wanted some attention. Nikki spent a few minutes talking with her and asked her to use her nurse button if she needed anything. She turned her TV on and also charged her cell phone so that my mom could contact me. I also received a picture from my mom's phone of her all cleaned up and smiling, as this meant the world to me, as my mom had not been very alert when I would stop in to see her.

I received a call again from Nikki letting me know she had sent me a picture and that my mom had been doing well, and she had been using her nurse button and not yelling out. Also, Nikki started to get the ball rolling with my mom's next steps of care, and closer to being discharged. Nikki worked diligently, helping Mom and me understand issues and ramifications. She patiently explained things to me, sometimes more than once. Of utmost importance to her was Mom’s comfort. She obviously cared deeply for Mom.

Nikki's devotion and skilled passion for my mother’s well-being made a huge impression on me. She stood out as a nurse willing and able to go beyond the normal call of duty.