Lexi Fallgatter, MSN, RN

I had the opportunity to work alongside Lexi Fallgatter during one of the most difficult situations I have ever experienced in patient care.

This was a pediatric patient with injuries that were not survivable. The condition she arrived in was traumatic, and this was not something I ever expected to encounter, especially not on a unit that does not typically care for children. Despite this, Lexi never hesitated in how she approached this patient. She immediately focused on what she could do. She made sure the patient was cleaned, positioned comfortably, and cared for with dignity. She was intentional in everything she did, with a clear goal in mind: if the family came to the bedside, their child would look as peaceful and cared for as possible.

What stood out to me most was how Lexi spoke to her. Lexi talked to her as if she were going to recover, maintaining a level of respect and humanity that never changed based on prognosis. One of the first things she said was, “I wish I knew her name,” which showed just how much she saw this patient as a person—not just a situation. The patient was not going to wake up, and her family was not present.

I am nominating Lexi because they cannot. To maintain composure and provide that level of care in a situation like this is something not everyone can do. She did not withdraw, rush, or become task-focused. She showed up fully and treated this patient with compassion, dignity, and respect from beginning to end.

What makes a good nurse is not just how they care for patients when outcomes are hopeful, but how they care when there is nothing left to fix. It is the ability to give the same level of attention, compassion, and presence—even when no one is watching, and even when you know the patient will not recover.

I am commending Lexi because she never lost sight of the person in front of her.