As a nursing student, witnessing our nurse do his job has been nothing short of incredible. Not only does he answer my every question, give me unending support and room to stand on my own two feet, but he attends to every need of our tiny patients and their scared parents. Ricky has over 20 years of experience that allows him to understand every infant’s subtle cues as they traverse life outside the womb. He connects to them and absorbs each tiny detail, knowing when to push a tiny bit harder because he believes the infant can do it or when to instantly pivot. He advocates for his infants and coaches them and fights beside them. We all see it. The parents see it. The parents initially enter terrified and full of questions, but Ricky is calm and honest and patient, and kind. He invites more questions. He teaches the parents and gets them involved and empowered. They trust him. The energy on the floor is a sense of camaraderie, critical thinking, purpose, and tenacity. As a nursing student, He is why I entered nursing school. He is who I want to be and a reminder that we are meant to live this life fighting beside and lifting the people around us.