This nomination is not for just one story of how Natalya has been a shining example of what a nurse and coworker should strive to be. Natalya does it all. Everything our unit needs, she can do. Not only that, but she does it with a smile and willingness to stop what she is doing and helps others.

Recently, our unit had an award that peers could all vote for someone they felt embodied the attributes listed such as carrying for patients, helping, and supporting coworkers, and being a light to those around you. I know that at least 9 of us night shift nurses wrote front and back letters about all the ways Natalya fit these attributes. None of us can name a time that she was working and that she wasn’t a support or calming presence to us all. Many nurses including floats, travelers, and core staff are relieved when we see Natalya as our charge nurse.

As if that wasn’t enough, being a humble servant to those around her, she is an amazing caretaker to her patients and their family. Being in the ICU and having your family member sick can be a very stressful thing. Many times, that stress can be anger directed at us nurses. Natalya takes this all in stride. Never once have I seen her get upset. And her patients and families are always grateful and smiling when working with her.

COVID beat a lot of us down. It was hard trying to find the love we once had for bedside. I can tell you that after 2 ½ years in the COVID ICU, Natalya was an amazing example to me of what we all should be. Her example has helped me find my way back to how I should be bedside. I couldn’t be more grateful.

Not a shift goes by that she isn’t walking the floor, asking what she can help with. Jumping in to do whatever needs to be done. We need more like her! If we had more nurses like Natalya maybe nursing wouldn’t have such a burnout rate. I hope that she never loses her light and continues to shine and spread that light all around her.