My father had triple bypass surgery. This was a scary, uncertain time for him and our family to have such a big procedure at his age. We met Nicole the day after his surgery when he was moved to step-down. Technically, I’m not sure my dad was completely ready to move from ICU to the step-down unit, but when I heard Nicole refer to him as her “ICU Baby,” I knew he was in great hands. My dad had some mental and emotional struggles on day 1 in step-down, even though physically he was making baby steps of progress. Nicole remained kind and gracious throughout a difficult first day. She even took the time to ask my 8th semester senior in nursing school daughter to come bedside and watch and explain the steps as the IJ CVC was removed from my dad’s neck. That was very special for my daughter to feel included in a teaching moment while Nicole cared for her grandfather.

Day 2 of step-down with Nicole was equally special. With kindness and always a sweet, caring tone in her voice, she always made sure my daddy did the things he was supposed to do - sit in the recliner, try to use the bathroom bedside, take his medicines even if he wasn’t very excited about any of it. Daddy must have really grown to trust her when, later in the day, he asked her if she could help him walk out in the hallway. Wow! What a change in him over 24 hours! Of course, Nicole got him a rollator and was his biggest cheerleader as he walked to the end of the hallway and back to his room! Today is day 3 in step-down and possibly the last day Nicole will be his nurse. We look forward to all the great things today will bring with Nicole and my daddy, but we’re sad to see 7 pm come when her shift ends. I truly appreciate everything she has done to help my daddy in his recovery from open heart surgery. I appreciate the way she has been so very kind to him, my mom, and every member of our family who has visited. The teaching moment Nicole made happen with my daughter will always be a special memory for her and something she will carry into her own nursing career. Nicole is definitely an extraordinary nurse, passionately crushing what she is called to do!