K8 Walton exemplifies excellence through their compassion, communication, and commitment to fostering student growth. “K8’s teaching approach is something I will carry with me throughout my career,” shares their nominator. “Their ability to mentor and encourage me as a student enhanced my clinical knowledge and instilled a confidence and deep appreciation for nursing practice.”

As a nursing student, K8 remembers the excitement and apprehension of clinicals, and the supportive preceptors who shared their knowledge and experience. These preceptors, including one who became their mentor at their first job, have influenced them for two decades.

During clinical experiences in the Emergency Department at UW Health, K8 profoundly impacted nursing students by creating a learning environment that encourages self-reflection, embraces mistakes as learning opportunities, and provides hands-on experiences. Their teaching approach, which includes asking students about their goals and guiding them to think critically, is something students carry throughout their careers.

K8 recalls being told to develop critical thinking in nursing school, which felt overwhelming. It wasn’t until they started caring for patients that they understood the importance of asking questions and thinking through answers. K8 now asks their students questions to help practice critical thinking, allowing them to talk through their thoughts and filling in gaps with their experience. This helps K8 see what concepts students grasp and gauge their progress.

What sets K8 apart is their unwavering support and mentorship beyond the clinical setting. When a student had a difficult day, K8 responded with kind words and reassurance, emphasizing self-reflection and coping as a nurse. Their transparency and wisdom make them a valuable mentor, shaping future nurses in skill, resilience, confidence, and compassion.