Nicole came to the ICU as a new-to-practice nurse and has quickly risen above and beyond what is expected of her as a new nurse and an employee at such a young age. She stands out to me because she is already pursuing her Master's degree for nurse practitioner, she recently took on the role as unit council chair and is beginning to make positive changes, she is always willing to be flexible with assignments and shifts whenever necessary, and she picks up extra shifts to help the unit frequently when we are short (even day shifts although she work night shifts).

She is an exemplary nurse who cares for not only her patients, but for their families as well. I have witnessed her go above and beyond countless times and she is always a magnificent patient advocate. Some examples include giving elderly female patients scarves and flower clips for their hair to help them feel just a little bit better, or by ensuring that a young boy whose mother was severely ill in the ICU had all his supplies for the new school year.

Nicole is an absolute asset to our unit and truly cares about her coworkers, about her career, her patients and about people in general.