Gennifer Ellis is an extraordinary nurse who displays many characteristics needed to make our professional practice model work effectively in providing our patients and their families with the greatest experience. This practice model consists of a healthy work environment, nursing competency, and patients needs.

Gennifer is a nurse in our emergency department who fosters a healthy work environment by communicating skillfully and collaborating with our multidisciplinary team. Less than a week ago I was working with Gennifer as she was serving as charge and lead simultaneously. Her phone rang constantly and she was able to keep up with those demands as well as supervise her team providing assistance, as needed ensuring patient's testing, procedures and assessments were not delayed.

I was unable to obtain access on a dehydrated patient who was here with intusseption. He was miserable and needed an IV quickly to provide him relief from pain. I reached out to Gennifer for assistance in getting an IV. Despite the many things she was working on, she did not hesitate one moment to help me. She entered the room of my scared and anxious patient with a sweet smile and calm voice. She explained every step of her interventions to the patient and comforted him with the calmest demeanor. She never rushed or let the family have any evidence of the requests that were waiting for her outside of his room. Within minutes we had an IV and she comforted my patient congratulating him for a job well done as she exited to return to her responsibilities of lead and charge.

Gennifer excels in nursing competencies as she holds two degrees and is certified as pediatric emergency room nurse, critical care nurse and asthma educator. She is an EMT-P and a trauma resource nurse who trains nurses in the emergency department on how to care for those in our critical care area. Two years ago, she played a pivotal role in setting up our SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) program and has served as a team leader. Gennifer's work ethic revolves around our patients needs, as she is consistent in providing stability for them and assisting in safe room utilization. She can quickly assess the complexity of our patient's status and predict what is needed for their care. She possesses sharp decision making skills.

Recently, I was elated to meet face-to-face with Jean Watson who is known for developing the theory of transpersonal caring. Jean Watson stated that "human caring is ideal nursing" that strives to "protect, enhance and preserve humanity, integrity and wholeness". Each and every shift I have worked with Gennifer, I have witnessed her practice human caring to it's fullest. It is an honor to work side-by-side with her and I look forward to the nurse I will become having her guide me as I learn the requirements of being a great emergency nurse. She is a positive roll model for all nursing peers.

Gennifer's immediate supervisor, Angel Acosta, shared many great comments about her as well. Angel described her as a "wealth of knowledge, love of her job, phenomenal charge nurse who truly cares about the patients". She takes the needed time "to speak Spanish with the caregivers to give better discharge education". She is "an animal lover, ally for equal rights" as well as being "genuine, honest, compassionate, and so smart". Her years of service and dedication are reflective of her passion for nursing. This passion shines in everything she does and I am proud to be a member of her team.