Shawna is one of the most influential people in my life. From the first day I walked into our unit, she took me under her wing and helped shape me into the nurse I am today. I don’t have the words to express how grateful I am for her. She demonstrated patience and compassion every single day that she trained me. Every question I asked, Shawna responded with thorough answers that helped me fully understand the task at hand. When she didn’t know the answer, she taught me how to seek help from other resources and helped me never be afraid to ask questions.

She opened my eyes to the opportunities nursing has for me. She is the reason I joined Shared Governance and became certified. She has never let me shy away from an opportunity. When I first became ultrasound-guided, I felt discouraged when it turned out to be much harder than I expected. I tried to give up, but Shawna stopped me. She didn’t let me quit. Inserting USGPIVs is now a skill I perform daily for the patients on my floor and throughout the hospital.

Shawna is also one of the most honest nurses I know, and she demonstrates integrity every shift she works. She calls out her own mistakes, even when they are embarrassing, because she understands the importance of providing good learning opportunities for others. She confronts conflict with coworkers in a calm, professional manner. She asks helpful questions to get to the bottom of the issue and seeks a real resolution. Her communication skills have taught me so much, especially since I came in as a very timid nurse who was terrified of conflict.

Shawna stood by my side during a serious event with a patient. She heard down the hall that I needed help and immediately stepped in, knowing how anxiety-inducing the situation was for me. She didn’t hesitate. She knew what I needed before I even knew it myself. She remained by my side through the entire process, ensured my patient was safe, and never stopped supporting me.

I know not everyone is spiritual, but I know for a fact that God placed Shawna in my life because He knew how inspirational she would be for me. To this day, Shawna praises me for every accomplishment I achieve, no matter how small. She pushes me to better myself and rise above the chaos that the nursing field brings. Nursing is something Shawna took on later in life, and you would never guess she has only been a nurse for a few years. We need more compassionate, patient, and strong leaders like her.