When I was a sophomore in high school, I found out that I needed major surgery. I was in the hospital for a week afterward. Jess was my nurse when I was an inpatient. She went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable when she could have just done what she needed to do. My mom was with me in the hospital and was very nervous about my surgery and recovery. Jess took the time to talk to my mom and explain everything that was happening. It was very difficult and painful to walk after the surgery. When I went on walks around the unit with Jess she asked me questions about what I liked to do. We talked about how I was a competitive dancer and how I was looking forward to when I would be able to dance again.

Her genuine interest in what I was talking about made me feel at ease. Prior to my surgery, I was terrified of going to see the doctor and going to the hospital. I thought that this experience would make this fear worse, but it completely changed my life. The compassion that Jess showed me was inspiring.

I am now a senior in high school and applying to colleges. I want to go into nursing because of Jess. When I am asked why I want to become a nurse I always say it was because of the inpatient nurse I had. My perspective on the healthcare field completely changed because of my interactions with Jess. I think about Jess and how she changed my life frequently. I will always use her as my inspiration to be a better person and support others the way she helped me during a hard time in my life.