The day I met Peyton, I was on 1E and working with a patient who reported increasing pain. I began searching for my patient's nurse on the unit and was getting ready to message her when Peyton, who was charting at the desk and had likely seen my lost expression, offered assistance, "How can I help?" The exchange immediately felt refreshing because she had relieved the burden of asking by readily offering assistance, though it would have been easy for her to continue charting and leave me to manage on my own.

After learning of the patient's needs and that his nurse was off the unit on an errand, she took the initiative to look into the patient's chart, inform his RN, and administer pain medication in a timely manner. She delivered the medication with genuine care and concern. The patient was very relieved and felt cared for, and we were able to return to our therapeutic tasks without missing much-skilled treatment. I walked away feeling so impressed by Peyton's having noticed a need, taking the initiative to respond, and finding a solution. She put patient care above her more personal tasks, and it made a measurable difference.

Since this first meeting, I have been able to observe that Peyton consistently demonstrates this level of care. She is proactive in noticing needs, checking in with patients and colleagues, offering assistance, going out of her way to bring needed materials, taking time to complete care tasks accurately, and genuinely connecting with patients. I have rarely heard her complain or speak negatively about colleagues or patients, and she often extends the benefit of the doubt where others may be quicker to judge. Peyton consistently demonstrates empathy and goes above and beyond her duties as a nurse.