I am 32 years old and severely suffer from alcoholism; a very horrible and very dangerous substance/disease. I have suffered from substance abuse since the young age of 13. I have been hospitalized countless times for overdoses, detoxing, and everything in between. Nothing to be proud of, I know. Within those hospital stays, I have gone through, encountered, and dealt with many nurses throughout the years. But none quite like Sasha. She is a very special individual who deserves nothing less than this nomination.

I came here 5 days ago with a much too high BAC. After emergency care, I was transferred up to the IMCU floor. She was assigned to be my nurse for the night. She had a nursing student assisting her. Still very much out of it, my thoughts, "here we go again..." I will be the first to admit - no I did not want to be there. No, I was not cooperative. No, I was not an easy patient to work with. Throughout that entire night, however, Sasha kept the calmest demeanor all while continuously teaching her me student throughout the entire process. She was empathetic, compassionate, knowledgeable, and even-tempered through a night in which have/could go completely different.

When I awoke the next morning she was there asking if there was anything I needed in the same kind voice as the night before. I quickly said no and she was able to go home after having to experience such a miserable night shift. Now came the detox process - nothing fun to have to experience or go through for myself or anyone who is expected to put up with me and my withdrawals. Especially within the first 72 hours. I did not want to be there and was not in a good mood. That evening she showed up again. She greeted me with the same sweet voice from the night before and displayed an optimistic attitude.

Once again she had the medical student along with her. With that being said, Sasha was intriguing to listen to when explaining things because she taught with such knowledge and detail. As I wished, she gave me my space. She worked hard and another one of her shifts had come and gone. The next night I wasn't expecting her but soon realized I was kind of hoping it was her who would be there. I was slowly beginning to trust Sasha and appreciated her more.

Sasha always kept her word whenever my water bottle needed to be refilled, was the first one there when my IV machine would beep out of error, made sure my phone was charged at the nurse's station and returned it was soon as it had a solid charge, etc. Whenever a pill was taken or IV was refilled, before I even had a chance to question, Sasha would instantly instinctively give me a thorough explanation and was such a great communicator on what all was going into my body and why. If you know me, you will know that I have and can get very high anxiety.

One incidence that I am not proud to admit but find it necessary to include involves that disease. On the third morning of my stay here, I woke up panicked, in horrible back pain, and extremely upset with the previous night's incidences. That's when the meltdown began. At this particular time and during this particular occurrence, in the back of my mind, I was very thankful and relieved that Sasha was the one who was working that early 4:30 am morning. Fast breathing, rapid heartbeat, crying and extreme sweating set in. With all this going on, Sasha never skipped a beat and completely kept her cool. She know exactly what to do and jumped into action.

First, she tried talking to me in her gentle voice to calm me down. That didn't work. I instead rudely and abruptly yelled at her and threw my socks at her. She quickly reminded me what time it was and reminded me that I had a roommate who was still trying to sleep. She then proceeded to use her best judgment and ask me what exactly was wrong and what I wanted. When I took a breath and was able to tell her my issues, she knew exactly what to do and jumped on it right away. She was able to get me the proper medication needed, calm me down in the meantime while the medicine/IV came in, and solve the issue in the most proper way. I was so in awe at how amazing and smoothly she handled such a chaotic occurrence.

After I was able to regroup and calm down, all that I could tell her was "thank you". It is very apparent and clear that her coworkers value her presence and appreciate her knowledge as well. My room was located right outside the nursing station so I could hear almost all conversations discussed. Throughout Sahsa's shift, I would hear other CNs and CNAs ask Sasha various questions or for her advice and input. She would always have some sort of knowledgeable answer and if she was not completely sure, she would work with her team member to figure out the best decision for that particular situation together. Along with that, it was apparent her colleagues felt comfortable around her to be an ear to listen to and/or someone to keep company for her fellow co-workers throughout the long evenings when reviewing the many computer and vitals updates. Little things from pre-breaking up larger pills for me so they would be easier to swallow, keeping the door at a crack throughout the nights for better constantly checking to see if I need water, snacks, etc. in my mind, she goes and has gone above and beyond of what any nurse need to when compared to many others. She has completely stood out in the best of ways to me.