It's difficult to determine if it is the practice of nursing that he has mastered or if it is just who he is that makes him such a remarkable professional. I settle with the idea that it is both. He was created with this big personality and corky idiosyncrasies, then God got through to him, and he listened to the calling and found the field of nursing, and here we are. I’m writing about his greatness because it has been such an experience. Scared, Stressed, and overwhelmed is where my heart rested when I came to this unit, but under the care of this nurse, a sense of peace was presented to me through his care, his empathy, his need to be educated and to share that knowledge with me each step of the way. He has been accommodating to my family, respectful of my thoughts and wishes, and, most importantly, brings gifts of emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and strong advocacy. He epitomizes what the mind contracts as a good, excellent, great nurse. I imagine that if he were not a nurse, he would be the village friend, and in my heart, is exactly the person who should hold the hands of the sick or feeble. Thank you for choosing nursing; this field is blessed to have you. I am blessed to have been under your care through some of my darkest moments.

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I am a 75-year-old man who was a patient under the care of this nurse. Even though I had a short stay during my hospitalization, he was an Extraordinary Nurse. He was always helpful and answered all my and my family’s questions. He is a very caring and knowledgeable nurse. My family was not able to visit as much on the second day of my short stay, but they had peace of mind knowing that he was the nurse taking care of me. Being away from home and loved ones is very difficult, but this nurse made me feel at home during my stay. He showed me compassion and patience. He is well deserving of this award. I greatly appreciate his compassionate care and his passion for the nursing profession.