Students say Ms. Pipkins provides comfort as they begin the nursing program, which is characterized by a time of uncertainty and immense transition. Ms. Pipkins teaches how to optimize the act of caring in relation to direct patient care. One student says Ms. Pipkins helped with his first epiphany of realizing nursing was his true calling. Ms. Pipkins introduced the student to a man with Alzheimer?s in a nursing home?s memory unit. The student learned firsthand how the resident lost his passion for painting. The student came up with the idea of replicating one of the residents? murals with colored pencils and paper. As the student drew, the man began to have a spark in his eye that had not been seen before. The resident?s hands began shaking and the student knew the man remembered his love for artwork. This was an emotional time for all of the students as they surrounded and supported the resident. They learned that nurses have the power to change a patient?s course of events. Ms. Pipkins helped them learn this life-changing experience. One student said to be near Ms. Pipkins is like a party in itself, streamers and birthday candles included. Her favorite quote inspires students: Don?t be a pigeon. Be an eagle.