October 2021 (Anacortes, WA) – With the number of nurse educators in shorty supply, recognition of extraordinary nursing faculty continues to be more important than ever.  The DAISY Foundation™ in partnership with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the National League for Nursing (NLN), the Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) and joining this year, Sigma, are once again issuing a call to action for schools of nursing to recognize and celebrate their nursing faculty as role models in compassionate nursing practice.  Now is the time to continue to raise awareness for this important recognition.  Since the initial call to action in 2018, 247 additional campus locations have implemented The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Faculty to honor their nursing faculty. That represents a 44% increase in the last three years!

The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on faculty who have seen the opportunity to contribute in a positive way, despite the many challenges faced.   Nursing faculty have demonstrated their commitment to nursing education, as they converted courses from brick-and-mortar delivery to online learning opportunities in record time and used their ingenuity to provide clinical experiences in simulated environments during these past months.  Working with their institutions, they ensured the psychological safety as well as the physical safety of their students, making themselves available to their students long after the workday was complete.   Recognition and celebration of these national treasures and their ongoing dedication to their work will help to retain faculty and encourage them in their mission to educate and create the best nursing workforce for years to come.  These heroes are integral to the next generation of nurses and to the nursing profession at large.  Their valuable contributions must be recognized in an ongoing and meaningful way.  The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Faculty provides that opportunity.

Capturing stories of gratitude for them, whether from students, colleagues, clinical staff, patients, or others who witness the impact of their actions, is important.  These stories provide a valuable way to express gratitude to them while inspiring others.  More importantly, the stories of such faculty articulate and elevate actions that are valued as representing the nursing profession at its best.  The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Faculty provides the means for these stories to be honored, shared, and preserved; and for the honoree, to be a part of DAISY’s international community of outstanding nurses.   For more information, examples, and next steps on honoring your nursing faculty: https://www.daisyfoundation.org/faculty-award-information

 

ABOUT THE DAISY FOUNDATION

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family.  Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.)  The care Patrick and his family received from Nurses while he was ill inspired the creation of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.  In over 4,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing, The DAISY Award is an evidenced-based means of providing Nurse recognition and thanking Nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of those they touch through their care, no matter the setting.  More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.