Each year, the DAISY Foundation honors the incredible hard work, dedication, and compassion that nurses embody in caring for their patients and the communities they serve—hosting the annual
DAISY Awards to showcase excellence across the nursing community.
What Are the DAISY Awards?
The foundation defines the DAISY Awards as “a recognition program to celebrate and recognize nurses by collecting nominations from patients, families, and co-workers. It is run by our partners as a way to thank nurses for the care and kindness they provide.”
What makes this award so special is that any licensed, registered nurse, nursing faculty, or nursing student is eligible to be nominated for recognition. “Our recognition programs express gratitude to nurses wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers—from nursing student through lifetime achievement,” states the DAISY Foundation.
Included in that acknowledgement is nursing leadership—a role that we are proud to announce is shared by our two 2023 AMN Healthcare DAISY Award winners, Brian V. and Sherida W.
An Interim Nursing Leader Honored After 34 Years in the Field
Brian V., a Critical Care nursing leader at Palomar Medical Center in California, has seen a longtime interest in nursing evolve into a rewarding career.
“My interest in nursing started when I was sixteen, when I had the opportunity to work on my hometown’s volunteer ambulance,” Brian says of the spark. “I was able to observe in the Emergency Room for an EMT class and wanted to learn more about the nurse’s role—their skillset, knowledge base, and passion for care.”
From then on, Brian knew that nursing was his calling, and he answered that calling with fervor. “I have been a nurse for 34 years—33 years in Critical Care, of which 22 years have been in nursing leadership and administration,” he says of his long career. “The ability to help people in their time of need is a great privilege.”
With a clear passion for nursing leadership, Brian has been invigorated by the interim leadership opportunities offered to him by AMN Healthcare. “Being an interim has provided me with many great experiences,” he says on his working partnership with AMN Healthcare. “I have had so many exciting opportunities, from Director of Critical Care to Chief Nursing Executive.”
It’s clear that his passion has translated to excellence in his career work, earning him DAISY Award nominations from peers, patients, and families who have experienced the love he pours into his job every day.
Feeling Right at Home as a Nursing Teacher and Leader
Sherida W., a Perinatal Nursing Leader and teacher on the East Coast Clinical Team in New York, was ready to become a nurse from an early age. “I started as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) right after graduating high school,” Sherida says of her career beginnings.
It didn’t take long for Sherida to find her true passion in Perinatal Nursing. “During my BSN program, I knew Labor and Delivery (L&D) was where I belonged,” she says. “My nursing experience has focused on Perinatal Nursing, starting in Labor and Delivery, Antepartum, Postpartum, and Newborn Care.”
As her career evolved and she earned her Master of Science in Nursing, Sherida saw a perfect opportunity to help guide fellow nurses through their blossoming careers—serving as a Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at several large teaching hospital systems. Her natural knack for leadership and teaching has also led her to roles as Nurse Manager, Director of Nursing, and Clinical Program Director during her career with AMN Healthcare.
Whichever role Sherida has held, she has exemplified a passion for making a positive difference in people’s lives. “Whether I’ve had the privilege of spending hours with them on one shift or supporting them as a direct report or colleague for years, helping nurses along their path in this life gives me all the reward I need.”
Sherida recognizes the leaders she has had throughout her career for her growth as a nursing leader—growth that has culminated in receiving a DAISY Award for excellence in Nursing Leadership this year. “AMN Clinical Leadership have been the most supportive leaders I’ve had in my entire nursing career!”
Congratulations to All DAISY Award Recipients!
Congratulations from the AMN Healthcare team to Brian, Sherida, and all the other recipients of this year’s DAISY Award recognition and for continuing to showcase excellence in the field of nursing and nursing leadership. You are an inspiration to past, current, and future nurses seeking to better their communities through patient care and compassion.
If you are a clinician seeking new challenges and leadership opportunities within your specialty, learn more about a career path with AMN Healthcare Leadership by clicking on the link below.
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