I have had the pleasure of working beside Jacq in clinicals during the last two semesters. Jacq has always been able to speak to all different types of people and personalities. She takes the time to get to know her patients and makes them feel comfortable in her presence. She is personable and friendly, even when faced with difficult situations. She knows how to hold her tongue and effectively communicate without allowing emotion to overcome her, which is an important skill for a nurse. I have witnessed Jacq reach out to peers and myself to ensure that she was there if we needed her. She also went the extra mile to assist her peers when she saw a need, without being prompted. When she is working in the hospital, she leaves her home life at home and is truly present on the unit. She is a mother of two, married, and a manager. Undoubtedly she has many responsibilities and yet she is still capable of providing excellent patient care. With patients and families, Jacq has the most patience I have ever seen and slows down to meet their needs. She does much more than the bare minimum. While working next to Jacq, I always felt safe and knew she had my back. Jacq is a leader and is confident, yet humble. Everyone who knows her knows she is trustworthy because she proves it time and time again. I have witnessed patients thanking her for her care and feeling relieved they were in good hands. She is respectable and respects others, even if they might show disrespect to her.

I have witnessed on multiple occasions Jacq’s ability to advocate for her patients. She noticed her patient's IV was red and warm during her assessment and notified the primary nurse immediately. Jacq received some pushback on the issue and yet she still advocated that something needed to be done, and she did so with respect and class. Eventually, Jacq was able to resolve the problem and ensure her patient's safety.

Another circumstance was when she introduced herself to her patient and noticed her patient was lying in her own stool for an exceptional amount of time. Jacq did not hesitate to assist her patient and provide efficient and compassionate care. During the day, Jacq became concerned her patient might have C.Diff and took the initiative to investigate. She proved that she will not hesitate to take the extra steps to safely care for her patients and she does not cut corners. I wholeheartedly believe Jacq deserves this award and I know she will make an exceptional nurse one day.