Professor Palladino is my pediatric instructor in my nursing program, but her dedication goes far beyond the classroom. Despite having two kids at home, she still stays up late to grade our exams because she knows we are eager to see our scores. She creates comic strips and Kahoot games to play at the end of class to help prepare for exams and just to make learning fun. Not only do I have her during lecture, but I also have her for clinicals.

There have been several times that she doesn't get dinner because she is working so hard to make sure that we have a meaningful experience. Even on slow days, she always finds us something to do. If there is a med to be given or a lab to be drawn, she knows about it and already has planned who will do it. She is never critical of our lack of confidence in skills, but is only compassionate and eager to teach us. Through her example, I haven't just learned nursing skills, I've learned how to love people. Professor Palladino has taught me the importance of work ethic, patience, compassion, and integrity. She has shown me how to speak to children of all ages and how to comfort parents who are exhausted or scared. She has taught me the art of humor and the intentionality of silence. But most importantly, she has taught me what it truly means to be a nurse. And for that, I am forever grateful.