I am a Veteran of the 10th Special Forces Group Colorado Springs, CO. I deployed to Iraq with my team and needless to say, when I returned, the person I was died in Iraq. I suffer from severe PTSD, night terrors, anxiety, severe depression, and social anxiety, just to name a few. When I returned, I immediately asked for help and was told to "journal," then told to "take melatonin," then told to "do nothing." Go to post-honorable discharge; I received an 80% disability rating and could not get an appointment with the VA in CO to get help. It took an entire year.

I called my mom and told her multiple times that I was going to eat a bullet. You can imagine her response. She got on the phone and called everyone she could in the VA. They told me to walk in and sent me to a Social Worker who told me, "I only had to wait three short little weeks to see a doctor." My mom and stepdad helped me move to NC. I got to speak to the most genuine nurse, Eric Darrenkamp. I ran into him on campus. He asked if he could help me, and I felt so comfortable talking to him. I told him my story, and he, too, served in the Army and could relate. He did not rush me; he showed me compassion, empathy, and patience, and he let me know I was not alone and that I was not a freak or abnormal. This is something so many of us Veterans experience. He gave me resources and helped me more than anyone ever has helped me in the VA system. I could tell he genuinely cared. He was for real. He told me that if I ever needed to talk, I should let him know. This is what being a nurse is about. It is not about titles or paychecks but about caring for people and making a difference in their lives.

Eric sure made a positive difference in mine. He gave me clarity to know I was not the only one dealing with these demons I have. He let me know there were so many resources for me at the VA and that there were actually people at the VA that did care, like him. He was a nurse but not a floor nurse; he was actually a DADPCS. You would not know he had a fancy title like this; he had the heart of a nurse. I have called the suicide line and my mom, but he could relate, and I can never put into words what that meant to me and the difference that made. I had an appointment, and I am improving. I am going to my son's baseball games, have so much more patience with him, and enjoy quality time with him on so many levels; I owe this to Eric. I had become a total recluse. I went nowhere with the exception of work, and when I was home, all I wanted to do was drink. I still have room for improvement, but don't we all? We certainly need more nurses and nurse leaders like him that lead by example. Thank you, Eric, you saved my life, literally. I was at the point of ending it all, and you gave me hope and faith that it would get better. There are no words to express my gratitude for what you did for me and my family.