Nichole Hutchinson has continuously surprised, impressed, and inspired me since she joined our team last year.  Nichole has such an incredible heart for all her patients and is always going above and beyond in her daily care of them.  It is evident that to Nichole, this is not a job – but a passion – a calling, and a mission.  Nichole takes time to get to know her patients’ favorite foods, magazines and likes and then goes out of her way to provide these to them when they need a pick-me-up.  Nichole is always thinking of what more could be done to help ensure her patients are truly living the best life they are able to. 

In addition to this, Nikki is always looking for ways to collaborate with facility staff in meeting her patients’ needs.  One of our patients with dementia transferred from home to an ECF.  Nikki willingly volunteered to be the one to give him his TB test, covid swab test, and flu shot upon arrival, to help him have a familiar face doing these unpleasant things so that his first interaction with facility staff wouldn’t be a negative one.  This helped ensure his transition to a new building went smoothly. 

When Nikki finds out a patient is having a birthday, she goes out of her way to celebrate their special day – she has a tiara, pink feather boa, and brings homemade gifts and cakes to them to cheer them up and celebrate their lives. 

Nikki has offered to sit with one of her patients while his wife went to grocery shop.  She spends the time to get to know them as people so she can ensure her care for them meets them where they are and helps their final days, weeks, and months be meaningful and special.  Nikki spent time trying to figure out what kind of music her patient liked so she could have the room filled with her favorite music as she was dying – she even sang a song to her.  She discovered that a patient who isn’t able to recognize much of anything responds positively to Bible reading, so she has made it a point to do this every visit.  She is able to win over and build relationships even with the patients that people have thought were difficult, because she takes the time to know them, understand their fears, likes, and concerns and meets them where they are. 

Nikki brings donuts and treats to the facility staff when she is celebrating her patients, so they feel a part of the celebration.  Her dedication to our mission is continuously inspiring and beautiful to watch. 

Nikki is a deeply passionate nurse.  She is lively, upbeat, and energized.  I appreciate her competence and dedication to the hospice patients we serve.  There are challenges in developing services in rural healthcare.  Nikki addresses the challenges in a compassionate manner.  Nikki is a consistent communicator and advocate for the vulnerable.  Nikki makes frequent visits to patients to patients throughout the ten counties we serve.  She brings compassionate care to the families and caregivers in the Appalachian culture.  She develops a warm connection with all of the patients with whom she is a case manager.  She goes above and beyond to build trust with every family and partner.  As a registered nurse, Nikki is fully present with each patient in her care.  She is an inspiring teammate and friend.  She has utilized her skills to care for her coworkers, family, and community.