This was my first time staying in an inpatient behavioral health unit. I was petitioned, and I was scared. Kim did everything that she could to help me. She was afraid that I might try to hurt myself, so she had me moved to the room next to the nurse’s station. I told her that something in my room was triggering me, and she immediately went and took care of it for me. She was always honest with me. When I was having a rough night, she always listened to what was going on and made sure that I felt safe, loved, and valued.

I struggle with an eating disorder, and when Kim found out that I wasn’t eating, she sat with me for over an hour and listened while I talked and cried and trauma-dumped on her. She told me repeatedly that I had value and that I was allowed to eat, and that all the things that led up to it weren’t my fault, but it is my responsibility to heal. She asked me what I would say to my Goddaughter if she wasn’t eating, and to say the same thing to myself. I managed to eat at every meal for the first time since I got here. Today was the first day in six weeks that I didn’t have thoughts of hurting myself. I know that I am doing the work to heal, but I couldn’t have done it without Kim.

She’s kind, compassionate, and a great listener. She takes the time to think before she responds, and she keeps it real while being sensitive and respectful. I don’t know how I would have made it through this without her. All nurses should strive to be more like Kim.