A nurse at Parkwest Medical Center was honored this morning with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. The DAISY Award was established in 1999 by the family of a patient who had received extraordinary care and compassion from his nurses during his final days. Today The DAISY Award was presented to Nichole Walker, RN, from our Critical Care Unit. Chief nursing officer Lynn Cagle presented Nichole’s DAISY award, alongside her co-workers and the DAISY committee.
Nichole was nominated for the award by a patient’s daughter. Here is an excerpt from her nomination, “I received the worst news. My mother was being sent to the CCU and going to be intubated. As my family gathered trying to grasp the reality that this was the end of my mother’s 16 year battle with renal failure… Then on Monday, a RN named Nichole came on shift, with a big bright smile that radiated hope, care and love of her patients. She gave us answers and showed determination in helping our mother come back to us by adjusting meds as needed and checking O2 levels, and talking to my mother as if she were here own. Nichole, concerned about my dad, gave a direct number to the CCU nurse’s station and advised if he went home to sleep he could wake up and call any time to check on her. My parents married for 53 years and him telling his 4 granddaughters, ‘I’m not ready to lose her.’ This brave, dedicated, caring nurse showed compassion, worry, dedication, and true shoulder for support for our family.
My mother showed great improvement with her around and I know my mother would love her bright smile and friendly face if she could stay awake and talk to her awhile. As a medical assistant at a primary care facility, I see someone who does not look at this as a job, but does her job out of love and purpose, “God’s purpose.” I hereby nominate Nichole Walker for her extraordinary nursing as she has been the angel that my family has needed during this dark time.”
The DAISY Committee presented Nichole with a pin, a certificate, daisies, The Healer’s Touch sculpture, and cinnamon rolls for her entire department to share. Congratulations to Nichole! We appreciate her passion for nursing, and her commitment to always putting her patients first!
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee at Parkwest Medical Center to receive The DAISY Award. To nominate a nurse today visit here.