Introduction
The DAISY Award for Nurses is a prestigious recognition program that honours the exceptional care and compassion provided by nurses across the globe. Established in 1999, the award acknowledges the tireless efforts of nurses who go above and beyond their duties to deliver outstanding patient care. The acronym “DAISY” stands for “Diseases Attacking the Immune System,” reflecting the inspiration behind the award’s creation.
What is the DAISY Foundation?
DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The foundation was created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes in November 1999. Mr. Barnes was only thirty-three years old when he passed away because of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, an immune disease. His family was touched by the quality of care he received at the hands of dedicated and hardworking nurses during his stay in the hospital.
To honour those nurses and all nurses who work hard for their patients, Mr. Barnes’ family created the foundation to shine a light on nurses all over the world.
History and Origin
The DAISY Award was founded by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away at the age of 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease. During his hospitalization, Patrick received extraordinary care from nurses, which profoundly impacted his family. In gratitude, the Barnes family established the DAISY Foundation to honour the remarkable dedication and compassion of nurses. The award has since grown into an international program celebrated by healthcare organizations around the world.
What is the DAISY Award?
Officially termed The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, this award was established as a program to recognize the hard work of outstanding nurses that go above and beyond the call of duty. In setting up the award program, the family of Mr. Barnes wanted to include three specific elements:
- Partnership with other organizations in the medical field to allow “ongoing recognition of the clinical skill” and other attributes that nurses encompass in their work each day.
- Enough flexibility to allow hospitals and clinics to tailor the award to their individual culture and expectations.
- A “turnkey” style of operation that provides hospitals with everything they will need to introduce the award program.
So far, over 40,000 nurses have been honoured with the award, raising morale and standards in hospitals all over the US and the world.
The DAISY in Training Award for Nursing Students
Having a program in place to recognize the efforts of nurses has done a lot of good. Nurses have something tangible to strive for, and the prospect of receiving the award is an encouragement to keep working hard every day.
But what about nursing students? They are studying, taking exams, and performing work in hospitals as well. All the pressure can be challenging to deal with and many nursing students find themselves struggling with the demands they face.
To help encourage nursing students to remember why they chose the profession and why they should keep going, the DAISY Foundation created the DAISY in Training Award. This award is given to nursing students that have shown compassionate care as they learn the ins and outs of the nursing profession. At the awards ceremony, students are encouraged to share their stories of providing excellent care while maintaining compassion and kindness. Creating this positive environment of support has been shown to help nurses continue on with their studies and reach the goal of becoming a full nurse.
Award Criteria
The DAISY Award seeks to recognize nurses who demonstrate exemplary care, compassion, and clinical expertise. Nominations can be made by patients, families, or colleagues who have witnessed a nurse’s extraordinary efforts. Key criteria for the award include:
- Providing compassionate care that makes a significant difference in the lives of patients and their families.
- Exhibiting clinical skills and knowledge that exceed expectations.
- Demonstrating a commitment to the nursing profession through leadership, mentorship, and advocacy.
- Collaborating effectively with the healthcare team to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.
Nomination and Selection Process
The nomination process for the DAISY Award is straightforward and accessible. Healthcare organizations typically provide nomination forms online or at various locations within their facilities. Patients, families, and colleagues can submit nominations detailing the nurse’s exceptional contributions. A committee within the organization reviews the nominations and selects the award recipients based on the established criteria.
Nurses can be nominated by patients, other nurses, doctors, family members – anyone who has seen a level of unrivalled compassionate care being given by the nurse. Along with the regular and student awards, the foundation also includes a Team Award and a Nurse Leader Award to recognize the efforts of nurse collaboration and leadership.
Award Presentation
The DAISY Award presentation is a momentous occasion celebrated within the healthcare organization. Recipients are honoured with a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved serpentine stone sculpture called “The Healer’s Touch.” The award ceremony often includes the nurse’s colleagues, patients, and family members, creating a heartfelt and memorable experience. Additionally, the awardee’s name is added to a public display recognizing all DAISY Award recipients within the institution.
Impact on Nursing Profession
The DAISY Award has had a significant impact on the nursing profession by:
- Promoting a culture of recognition and appreciation for nurses’ contributions to patient care.
- Encouraging nurses to continue their commitment to providing compassionate and high-quality care.
- Enhancing nurse morale and job satisfaction by acknowledging their hard work and dedication.
- Inspiring future generations of nurses to pursue excellence in their practice.
Global Reach
Since its inception, the DAISY Award has expanded to over 4,500 healthcare facilities in 29 countries. The global reach of the award underscores the universal appreciation for the critical role nurses play in healthcare. The DAISY Foundation continues to foster international collaboration and support for nursing excellence through its various programs and initiatives.
To know More About the Daisy Award
The Daisy Award is the perfect opportunity to share the amazing contributions, compassion, dedication, and hard work of your co-workers. There are not enough “thank you’s” for the endless work of nurses, nursing professors, and students but the Daisy Award helps highlight the everyday work of the true heroes.
To find out more information about the Daisy Award, check out their social media!
Stories are the threads that bind us; through them, we understand each other, grow, and heal.
JOHN NOORD
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