I have worked with Nicole for the past 4 years. We were Unit Educators together. Nicole was the Educator on the night shift in Pediatrics. Even though Nicole was new to the position, you would never know that. Her level of professionalism was beyond anything I expected of a new Educator. She came on board fully engaged with enthusiastic ideas of how to motivate the newer nurses on the night shift. She quickly learned how to upload educational information to LMS without formal instruction. She took on competency days and educated the nurses beyond my expectation as a new Educator. One would often find Nicole educating the new grads on nights when she wasn't busy providing patient care. She would set up PCA machines with them and teach them the various modes of oxygen delivery.
Nicole was always teaching. She also took on the role of orienting the new Nursing Assistants and implemented a new program of orienting them to the Pediatric floor. She set up their preceptors, followed through with their orientation, and set up a mentorship with them when their orientation was completed. Nicole had to step down as Educator to take a day full-time position. Instead of her giving up the responsibility of the Nursing Assistant orientation program, she embraced it. She continues to do it with dignity and professionalism. She is able to provide the highest standard of patient care while functioning as a resource to many.
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Nicole has precepted many new hires and has shown professionalism in orienting them through the process. She is also a cross-trained PICU nurse and is never afraid to step up when PICU needs help. She is APHON certified and our oncology patients frequently request Nicole. She always has a smile on her face. She recently was in a music video for Goryeb Children's Hospital with a Disney singer, Sunny Malouf. Nicole was highlighted taking care of one of our oncology patients.
The families connect with her. Her patients adore her infectious smile and caring touch. I have personally witnessed her taking her oncology patient outside to the courtyard for some requested fresh air and to feel the sun. She goes above and beyond to make every patient experience a good one. Nicole always makes time in her busy schedule. Nicole is frequently the one to volunteer for that admission, even though her block may be 4 to 5 sick children. As Coordinator, I have seen Nicole take on 6 patients with 2 of them receiving chemotherapy. She never complains, and never says no.
Nicole frequently takes charge of the Pediatric floor when I or the other Coordinators are busy in meetings. She manages the bed situation and her communication skills with her peers and physician service lines are a true testament to our PRIDE values. She communicates with compassion, respect, and her peers look up to her. Her clinical skills are above standard. She has frequently been asked to access a difficult port or to place a difficult peripheral IV. Nicole has been involved in PACT for several years and will always step up to take on unit projects.
She is very involved in our unit based Shared Governance. She always is engaged and steps up without being asked. She also has worked extra weekend shifts for our department when we are short. She has floated to the Day Hospital even though it is not customary for us to do so. Nicole is an asset to our department, a true leader, knowledgeable resource person, compassionate nurse, skilled charge nurse, mentor to nurses and nursing assistants and always manages to bring a smile to all who interact with her.
Nicole is a DAISY Nurse!