When I began my clinical rotation in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, I was nervous, like most new nurses. The stakes felt incredibly high, the patients were critically ill, and I wondered if I was truly prepared for the challenges ahead. I had no idea how much this experience would change me, not just as a nurse, but as a person. That change came through my preceptor, Livy. Olivia, Livy, Fry, was one of my main preceptors as I oriented on the pediatric intensive care unit at Hershey Medical Center as a new grad, and I could not be more thankful she was. Working with Livy was an experience that set the bar for what great patient care and teaching should look like.

From the start, Livy demonstrated a remarkable balance of skill and patience. She showed me how to truly be present for both the patients and their families. Any spare moment we had, she would teach me in a kind, supportive way. She was the perfect balance of providing support and pushing me out of my comfort zone. She was not just focused on the clinical side of things; Livy was also great at connecting with patients. She made sure each patient felt valued. Something I struggled with in the beginning was connecting to the families of our Amish patients. She demonstrated just how simple reassurance and extended family-centered care could positively impact their experience. By just the third day with her, I never felt the need to preface my statements with "This might be a stupid question, but" for I knew she would never judge me. That is gold in this time of transitioning out of nurses eating their young. I found myself watching in awe as she balanced her technical expertise with a deep understanding of her patients' emotional needs. She took the time to explain everything, from medication doses to the importance of patient comfort, ensuring I not only understood the how but the why behind each action.

What truly set Livy apart was her genuine empathy. She would always check in on her patients with a happy face and reassuring words. Her ability to make each person feel seen and heard, even during stressful times, was truly remarkable. However, it was not just the patients and I who benefited from Olivia's kindness; everyone around her did as well. She was always concerned about the well-being of the entire unit. I especially noticed the sheer number of people in various stages of their careers as nurses who would come to find Livy to run an idea by her or to ask for a hand. By the end of my time with her, I felt not only more confident in my nursing skills, but my development as a person.

Livy's teaching style was straightforward and grounded, and it was clear that she cared deeply about both her patients and the nurses she mentored. Her support spread far beyond the hospital grounds. She goes above and beyond her role, not just teaching but truly investing in my professional growth. Livy loaned me her $300 textbook, which she had bought with her own money, so I would have a better foundation in caring for my cardiac surgery patients. Livy was not afraid to address me as a person and check in on my mental health and personal life in the best ways. I find myself holding back from bragging to the rest of my cohort about how wonderful she is. For all these reasons and many more, Livy is more than deserving of the DAISY Award. I find myself grinning from ear to ear when nurses exclaim that I am more than set up for success when I share that I was precepted by Olivia Fry.