Gatrell was in the NICU that day in January. There were two newborns; the first was withdrawing from cocaine, THC, and fentanyl. She had received a rescue dose of morphine and was to be medicated around the clock, and as expected, the baby was inconsolable. The second one was born prematurely via C-section; his O2 sats were unstable, and he was retracting.

As the instructor, I came in to check on my student, and I found him wearing a clean patient’s gown over his uniform, holding the sleeping, withdrawing baby as a loving parent would do, or a humane, compassionate nurse who does the work for love. The nurses came to tell me how amazing Gatrell had been with the newborns and how interested he was in learning.

The second newborn was transferred to another facility. I watched him accompany the Neonatal team, preparing the newborn to leave and stop by the mother’s room. He was at a respectful distance with a dignified stance while they spoke to the parents, and he later told me how impressed he had been with their professionalism and kindness. I learned that day that Gatrell worked as an LPN for pediatric patients with special needs and loved it. I could tell he loved what he was doing even before he told me, and that is what we need in nursing: love, compassion, and kindness.

I have once heard that it is a beautiful thing when a career and passion come together, and I see it in my student. In the words of Barack Obama, “Nurses are the heartbeat of our medical system.” Go and help keep America’s heart beating. I wish you all the best in your future.