Bethany Sterling exemplifies the spirit of the DAISY Award through the extraordinary impact she has on compassionate patient care, staff development, and the advancement of oncology nursing and end of life practice at Chester County Hospital.

As the oncology clinical educator supporting inpatient oncology and end of life care, Beth plays a critical role in strengthening nursing practice, guiding complex patient care, and ensuring that nurses feel confident and supported when caring for patients receiving anticancer therapies.

Beth role models extraordinary professional behavior through her visible, hands-on presence supporting nurses and patients during complex oncology care. She regularly assists nurses with preparation, administration oversight, double checks, and patient education related to anticancer therapies while also helping staff navigate documentation, communication with providers, and management of treatment-related complications. Beth reviews the hematology and oncology patient list daily, evaluates anticancer therapy plans, and provides clinical guidance to nurses caring for these patients. In addition to providing consultation, she frequently assists nurses directly during patient care situations, helping ensure treatments are delivered safely while reinforcing best practices and strengthening nurse confidence.

Beth creates an environment built on trust, compassion, and professional development. She consistently mentors nurses in oncology practice, meeting with staff to discuss career goals, encouraging pursuit of oncology certification, and helping nurses access study resources and professional development opportunities. She has mentored nurses preparing for oncology certification and supports staff seeking advanced degrees or leadership opportunities. Beth also precepts graduate nursing education students and provides mentorship to nurses exploring professional growth, helping create a culture where nurses feel supported in their development and valued for their contributions.

Beth fosters a strong culture of learning by providing ongoing education through both formal programs and bedside teaching. She develops and delivers oncology education, leads snack-and-learn sessions on oncology disease states and therapies, prepares clinical case discussions, and provides direct coaching to nurses administering chemotherapy. She coordinates chemotherapy competency validation and prioritizes competency development for nurses who have limited exposure to chemotherapy so that staff across shifts are prepared to safely care for oncology patients.

Beth has also taken a leadership role in strengthening end-of-life and palliative care education at Chester County Hospital. After completing training to become an ELNEC (End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium) instructor, she led the development and implementation of the ELNEC program at CCH and now teaches the course to nursing staff. Through this program she helps equip nurses with the knowledge and confidence to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to patients and families facing serious illness and end-of-life situations.

Beth motivates staff with a shared vision of excellence in oncology and end-of-life care, helping nurses understand how compassionate symptom management, communication, and patient-centered care are essential across the cancer and end of life care continuum. Through her leadership, education, and mentorship, she helps nurses feel prepared to care for patients both during active cancer treatment and during serious illness and end-of-life care. She also strengthens communication and collaboration across teams by developing oncology communication tools and maintaining educational resources that allow nurses to easily access guidance and support when caring for complex patients. In addition, she contributes to oncology-related policy work and clinical process improvements that support safe chemotherapy administration and high-quality patient care.

Beth also promotes and enhances the image of nursing within the organization and the community through her active participation in cancer program leadership activities. She regularly participates in tumor boards, cancer conferences, and cancer program committees that guide evidence-based oncology care and ensure nursing expertise is represented in program planning. Beyond the hospital, she leads community engagement efforts such as the Light the Night campaign supporting patients with blood cancers, organizing fundraising activities and engaging colleagues across the hospital to support patients and families affected by cancer.

Her influence extends through the nurses she mentors, the oncology practice she strengthens, and the patients and families who benefit from the safe, knowledgeable, and compassionate care she helps make possible every day. Through her compassionate leadership, mentorship, clinical expertise, and commitment to professional excellence, Bethany Sterling embodies the values of the DAISY Nurse Educator Award.