Northeast Region

Receiving my DAISY Award was such a humbling experience. I was absolutely shocked and speechless! I was born to be a nurse and nursing is my passion. To be honored by patients and families, as well as celebrated by administration and colleagues is an extraordinary experience! I had the ability to thank Mark and Bonnie Barnes in person at an ANCC Conference which is one of the highlights of my career. To be parents that turn their deepest loss into a positive experience honoring nurses internationally speaks volumes for the type of people they are. I am honored to be part of the DAISY family.

"I first learned of DAISY when I was working in the NICU at Inova FFX Hospital. I remember feeling overwhelmed, and rather impressed that a national organization awarded nurses for doing what just comes natural. Compassion, for without it, one might not consider nursing as a profession. DAISY awards fill the proverbial 'empty tank' that often comes with endless hours of caring for patients. MANY years later, I was privileged to work in an organization that started the Magnet Journey. It was at my first conference I saw that oh so familiar DAISY logo, and once again my heartstrings were pulling. "Wow" I said to myself, I love that flower award! Gratefully, my CNE was more than happy to have me bring DAISY to our organization, which is a Planetree designated facility, which mirrors DAISY efforts.

Three years later, I watched the faces of the directors, senior management, and the nurses that are honored with this award. There are really no words to express how it feels to be recognized by leadership for what they thought was "their job". I could go on about DAISY endlessly, but I am sure this little text box will eventually stop me, so I will end with this........for me, caring for patients with skill and compassion is my honor, not my job, but knowing DAISY exists gives me an opportunity to realize that what we do is 'Super Human"