When I met Melba during her clinical rotation, she was a bit uncertain about her ability to perform as a nursing student and also to meet the needs of her patients. I was privileged to witness her development and also her passion for caring. She was very gentle and attentive to patients. I remember there was a particular patient who always appeared sad and who would not interact with others. Melba got him out of bed and assisted him down to the Halloween party at the facility. This was the first time that I had seen the patient so cheerful and interactive, and although he didn’t say much, his expressions and interactions that day spoke volumes.

I noticed Melba’s progressive growth from one semester to the next and by time she completed her program, she had grown exponentially in skills and confidence. She even mentored other students with their skills in the lab. While she was nervous about transitioning from the student role, she practiced a lot which increased her confidence. She worked well with the staff in the various clinical facilities and was very willing and flexible with assignments.