I have had the pleasure of working with this nurse on K8 for three years on day shift, and nine years on second shift. Her cheerful attitude and smile brighten the unit for patients and staff alike. She served hundreds of patients since I have known her.

One especially stands out for the compassion she shared. This man has bipolar disorder. He is large, and scary at times- to clarify, he is always large. This nurse skillfully led the team to manage him from his worst manic state (at admission) through his discharge. In addition to displaying threatening behavior, there was no end to his grandiose business proposals. But this nurse listened to each story, with interest and care. This patient often required one on one attention. While providing this, she watched out for other patients too, ensuring nobody was neglected. When she could not take it on alone, she adeptly collaborated and delegated tasks.

One example of her selfless devotion to serving was when she was outfitting the client for court. He wanted to look his best and had specific requests of how to accomplish this. This nurse took every spare moment that weekend to make multiple trips to the patient boutique. She cared to find him just the right outfit so he could feel confident about his hearing.

This nurse also exemplifies personal accountability. I frequently ask her for help with orders or patient assessments. She always follows through. She has a strong appreciation for accountability. Although I cannot recall any specific examples of mistakes she’s made; she is human. When she makes a mistake, she fully owns it and corrects it. She never lets anything “slide” that could become a safety issue for patients.