I am a Baptist Health team member and an Adjunct Professor of Nursing, FSCJ. As we all know, there is currently a nursing shortage and with this shortage of nurses, there is a greater shortage of nursing educators, nursing professors and bedside nurses who are willing to teach nursing students. This was not the case with Berline Bonnett with regards to bedside nurses not willing to teach nursing students.

For 10 weeks during Summer Semester 2024, Berline was consistently assigned a nursing student every Saturday morning. Every Saturday morning, Berline accepted her assigned student, welcomed her student with a smile, energy, eagerness, and enthusiasm! After receiving report and before providing care, Berline Bonnett explained to her student the importance of time management, organization and then showed her student how to create a plan for the day to ensure the needs of all patients are met. During medication passes, Berline ensured her students verbalized and followed the five rights of medication administration, before passing any medications. Berline is also an excellent coach! During skill performance, Berline, instructed, remained calm, encouraged throughout skill performance, and never took over to complete the skill herself. Berline always demonstrated a positive attitude and patience. As a result, confidence magically appeared on the faces of her students.

Finally, in between bedside care, I heard Berline continuing to teach and share best practices with her student. The most amazing fact is that Berline was consistent with above behaviors for 10 weeks with 10 different students. Berline is an asset to Baptist and was an asset to The Summer 2024 Third Semester Students from Florida State College of Jacksonville. Berline made a difference with her patients and these future nurses.