Darleen Nelson
May 2025
Darleen
Nelson
,
RN, ONS
Infusion
SSM Health Medical Group
St Louis
,
MO
United States

 

 

 

Her compassion toward our patients is inspiring and provides a personal and comforting touch to each patient's cancer care experience.
Darleen is deserving of the DAISY Award because of her dedication to our cancer care infusion patients and nurses. Among other things, she writes and presents unique speeches for each patient that gets to ring the bell at their last treatment and takes time out of her busy day to come to the clinic side and talk with patients that have chosen to end treatment and go on hospice, supporting their decision, taking trips down memory lane, and sending them off with a sense of peace and dignity. Her compassion toward our patients is inspiring and provides a personal and comforting touch to each patient's cancer care experience. Darleen also has a wealth of knowledge that she is always willing to share by taking on orientees to help ensure they have a smooth and successful transition into infusion nursing. She is never condescending, but provides information in a respectful and engaging manner, asking questions to encourage nurses to come to their own conclusions before giving them the answer. She tailors each precepting experience to each unique orientee, with an ongoing give-and-take of feedback throughout their training. Darleen exhibits much-needed and appreciated flexibility and teamwork by graciously takes on the role of charge nurse at both infusion centers as needed and consciously orders supplies to ensure we have what we need when we need it without being wasteful or overspending. Darleen doesn't just show up for her shift, but she shows up for her patients, and that dedication is refreshing and very much appreciated. We are lucky to have Darleen and want her to receive the recognition she so greatly deserves.