I nominate one of the most professional nurses I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Sylva Jones came to the Pain Center as a transfer from Atlantic Home Care & Hospice experience in 2008. From the day she walked onto the unit you could tell she was a very compassionate person. Her tone of her voice and calming mannerisms were soon to be noticed by our pain patients.

Sylvia is a champion when it comes to help a patient who is in stress. She is able to carry herself in a way that when she walks into a patient's room the patient is capable of having a conversation with her even when they are hurting. Even Sylvia's laughter makes one feel good listening to her.

Sylvia presents herself as a professional, clean and neatly dressed in scrubs. She is punctual in attendance. Our unit is going through some staff changes. Sylvia is the next senior person on unit and will be stepping into the shoes of our nurse scheduler. This will be a challenge as nurses do self-scheduling. The "scheduler" must be diplomatic and be able to make some difficult decisions where there are conflicts and absenteeism in addition to monitoring daily time schedule. She is also taking the responsibility of requisitioning supplies for our unit and must always think cost control when ordering supplies.

This year Sylvia is being mentored for taking on PACT Level 2. As many nurses know how difficult it can be to find time to go above her normal daily duties. She is a good leader and will succeed in attaining Level 2. She has critical Care experience so when we do have an emergency she is very comfortable stepping into the mode of first responder!

One story that stands out in my mind was what I call a "classic" Sylvia moment. Sylvia was assigned to an adolescent girl who was accompanied by her mother that day. The two were in conflict because the young patient was afraid of the treatment the physicians would order for her. As a new patient, there was fear of the unknown. The situation was becoming out of control and very loud. Sylvia went into the room and respectively calmed the mother, then her child. Within 5 minutes the room became very quiet. Sylvia was able to get control of the situation and calmly explain to both the child and parent what to expect with the first visit. She immediately gained trust of both parent and child. As parent and child exited the room all were smiling. Upon discharge that day both mother and child told Sylvia how much they appreciated her time for listening and understanding their needs. She has this calming influence on all of her patients.

Sylvia gains trust with each of her patients. She is especially in tuned to patients homecare support and needs because of her homecare experience. I often hear her in the recovery area talking to an elderly couple about their home safety. Sylvia has even called Atlantic Home care to get patient services that she feels they need.

She is approachable with her peers as well as her patients. Sylvia will be the charge person to go to when I am not in the office. She is a leader with patients, family and peers at the Pain Center and has my complete trust center.

"There is one thing that is common to every individual, relationship, team, family, organization, nation, economy and civilization throughout the world - one thing which, if removed, will destroy the most powerful government, the most successful business, the most thriving economy, the most influential leadership, the greatest friendship, the strongest character, the deepest love. On the other hand, if developed and leveraged, that one thing has the potential to create unparalleled success and prosperity in every dimension of life. That one thing is trust".