I would like to nominate and recognize Rebecca Lafferty. She is one of the most inspirational nurses I know. Her passion for nursing and teaching is undeniable. She started a lateral violence project that was geared towards all staff members regardless of their position. Knowing that this project might cause tension and or ostracize her, she powered through because it was such an important topic in healthcare that we don’t really talk about.

She was handpicked to speak at the BNI symposium about her lateral violence topic and was also working with the CNO and educator to create a program for new grads to discuss such a difficult topic. She also loves mentoring new grads, and it shows. She takes her time in educating them on the pathology of the disease process and helps them better understand the ongoings of the patient. They find her easily approachable, and that’s important in an ICU setting where everything and everyone is intimidating.

Lastly, she started a bereavement package for our families dealing with their loved ones who are in comfort care. She used her own funds to buy recordable hearts and teddy bears for the families' children. These meant so much to them during such a difficult time in their lives. These are a few things that make her stand out as an amazing person and the definition of a compassionate nurse.