This is my second time doing this, and I realized that I wrote the first nomination while I was tired after being in the ED all night. My sister presented to the ED with n/v and excruciating pain. We arrived at 7:30 pm and were told that there were 9 patients ahead of her to see the doctor. That we understood. She lay there for two and a half hours writhing in pain, I had to sit and feel helpless as each time I asked if she could get something for pain, I was told we had to wait for an evaluation. She was throwing up bile and having cold sweats. I watched as her blood pressure climbed and the pain increased.

As a nurse myself, I was frustrated and worried. She was getting to the point where her mental state was at breaking point, and in one last ditch effort, I got up and once again headed to the nurses' station. Alexis saw me coming, got up, and met me. She took one look at me and immediately came to the room. She did her evaluation and got fluids started after realizing that my sister was severely dehydrated. She liaised with the doctor even though my sister was still two patients down on the list, and they got to work on her immediately. I cannot explain what being helpless feels like.

When your loved one is in pain hour after hour after hour, this nurse not only showed compassion but also advocated for her patient, showed empathy, and respected my sister's patient rights. That is more than any words can express. To someone looking from the outside in, if I were a patient, Alexis would be the nurse I would be extremely happy to get. Recalling those hours sitting at my sister's bedside, watching her suffering, I have tears streaming down my face; Alexis did her job diligently and responsibly, not to mention the level of respect that was shown to me and my sister. Practicing autonomy, beneficence, justice, and exemplary compassion. Thank you.