I am in my final semester of nursing school at East Carolina University. Part of the nursing program is to complete 120 hours (10 shifts) with our preceptor. Christin was assigned to be my preceptor. On my first day on the unit, I was extremely nervous and for some reason, I was thinking that I might not be prepared to take on a full nurse responsibility. She made me feel welcomed and I knew that she was a safe place/person for me to learn. She gradually gave me more responsibility and by the time my 5th shift came, I was already assuming the role of the primary nurse to all 5 of our patients. If there was something I didn’t fully understand, she further explained it in a way that made sense. I never felt like any of my questions sounded silly because she just has a way of making me feel like I could come to her with anything.

In a strange way, Christin gave me the confidence I needed in myself to remember why I wanted to become a nurse in the first place. Because of her, I have become much more confident and comfortable with providing care to patients. For example, I have become much more confident in programming IV pumps, with her help I inserted my first indwelling catheter. I have had the chance to place IVs. I never would have expected that I would have learned so much in such a short period of time. No matter where my nursing journey takes me, I will always remember Christin and all the valuable lessons she has taught me. I could not have had a better nurse to learn from during this preceptorship. Nash UNC and her patients are so lucky to have this nurse. She deeply cares for all of her patients and always makes it a priority to see that they have everything they need and to make sure they understand what is going on. She is hardworking and extremely compassionate about nursing and her patients. Maybe one day I can be a great nurse just like her.