A Cancer Nurse 'Turns Lemons Into Lemonade'

I nominate Nichele Markes, RN, as the best oncology nurse.

I worked with Nikki at the ambulatory infusion center at Cox Medical Center in Branson, Missouri. I have enjoyed working with Nikki and seeing how she, and all of the other nurses at the Infusion Center in Branson, take care of and interact with the many outpatients that come into the center for service.

Nikki, when she is charge nurse, makes a great team leader, providing the support needed for the department to function smoothly while providing excellent patient care. Nikki works well with the providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists, and makes it a positive and fun work environment.

Nikki is current with oncology drugs and the types of accessible infusion lines, and if she encounters a drug she is not familiar with, Nikki will check references and ask the physician and pharmacists for information.

Nikki is liked by everyone. I have noticed how she interacts with the patients. Nikki has a way of making the patients faced with a difficult diagnosis feel comfortable in the infusion room. Nikki is good at “turning lemons into lemonade” and is helpful to everyone. Her caring for the patients is exemplary.

I have seen her provide leadership in so many ways and situations, including during rapid response episodes. Nikki is usually jovial and laid back, but when necessary she takes the lead and gets the job done in a very professional way.

Nikki has always been helpful to me and she interacts very well with the rest of the staff and other departments within the hospital. For me, Nikki has made the infusion center a great place to work. Nikki is a good friend and a good nurse. I am very honored to have been able to work with her.

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