L has a long history of hospital stays from a few days to months in length, so we have come to see a wide variety of care. Her most recent stay in Marshfield was brought about due to a new problem, "cancer". A whole new level of stress on both the patient and the family.
During this recent 15 day stay in the hospital, L has had the pleasure of having Nikki two different rounds and her technical skills as a nurse are second to none. Marshfield has a lot of good nurses, and we have had the pleasure to have experienced many, so for us to consider Nikki as we do is something both Nikki and the hospital should be proud of. Never has Nikki come across as "just going through the motions" or "just doing my job". She always has each patient's best interest as her goal and it comes across in how she communicates, works with and on her patients. What really sets Nikki apart from other nurses is a sort of sixth sense she seems to have where she seems to know when something is really bothering someone even if we are trying not to show it. Nikki has a way to calm and relax and give a sense that things will be better. Whether it's by what she says or a simple touch to the shoulder or a simple joke, this skill as a nurse can't be taught. The really, really good nurses just have it.