I don't know of anyone who works or has worked with Nikki that would say that she is not a compassionate person who always looks out for her patients and their needs along with her co-workers' needs. She exemplifies all of these qualities as well as being a nurse with extraordinary clinical skills. Her heart of compassion drives all of her actions when she is working and when she is out in the community with her family or friends. She not only represents the role of a nurse well; she represents the Monroe Clinic well. I have had the pleasure of working with Nikki at the Brodhead branch clinic for several years.
Recently I worked alongside her and a group of amazing providers and MAs to help save a little boy's life and bring peace back into a potentially serious situation. Nikki was calm the entire time and confident in her skills as a nurse, knowing just what to do and what to say. Her words of kindness with quiet strength helped calm a father's nerves and I know that the little boy could hear her voice saying to him "it's ok, you're going to be ok" even though at the time he wasn't responding. She took charge of that situation giving instructions to co-workers and taking instruction from providers, doing precisely what they teach you to do in nursing school and in emergency situations. I couldn't have been more blessed to have her working beside me on my team, neither could the parents and the little boy in that room. He was transported to the ED and is fine thanks to the effort and skill of the Brodhead team.
There have been other times when I have seen her shine. She brought so many skills to our clinic when she was hired and so much knowledge. I watch in awe as she interacts with patients but gets down to business when she needs to. She has very well-defined boundaries with patients. For example, there was a patient who had a PICC line in and was coming for flushes and dressing changes. The patient was a little rough around the edges, to say the least, and could be intimidating for a nurse who might not be as confident in their skills. I listened to her conversation with him, hearing him swear and use rough language pushing the boundaries and she took it like a nurse, even bantering back and forth with the patient meeting him where he was at and laughing with him until it was time for her to do the dressing change and then she laid down the law and said to him, "no fooling around now, I want you to be safe". This big intimidating guy took orders at that moment because he knew she cared for him and for his safety.
The way she interacts with patients in person and on the phone is such a joy to watch or listen to. She has an enormous heart and can put herself in a patient's shoes because of the empathy that she carries. She has cried with patients, held on to them in tough times and in joyful ones. She laughs with them and sometimes is just there, in silence. People know when someone cares. Patients know that she does. She is always looking to better herself and learn more things so that she can help more people. On top of that, she is always willing to share that knowledge with others to help them grow. That is the mark of a truly amazing nurse.
Nikki is an exceptional nurse. There are so many other stories where she has shined. I'm very proud to call her my co-worker and my friend. She is a true DAISY Nurse!