I was admitted to the hospital in full kidney failure, facing 2 weeks to live or a lifetime of dialysis. Z has been my night nurse for my entire stay. I was extremely sick, vomiting, having a fever, thinking about refusing dialysis, and really planning to die. Z would come to my bedside with medication, a wet wash cloth, vomit bag, whatever I needed and would stay until I was comfortable again. If I couldn’t sleep, she would spend the few spare minutes she had each night just talking with me to get my mind off of how I felt. 2 days later, the doctor started me on a trial drug for my kidneys as a last resort before dialysis. Z gave me meds, checked on me often, and helped me through side effects.

Today, I am going home on the medication, not dialysis, with hope. Z has celebrated my health improvements with her amazing smile, this woman is what every nurse should be. Please consider her for this award. I witnessed the same kindness and care with other patients.