Darlene has devoted most of her life to being a nurse, 36+ years now. She is always striving to increase her education to provide the best care to her small patients. On days off you can find her helping proctor an education seminar for nursing. Darlene has bought and has listened to several CDs and audiobooks that all have to do with nursing, listening to them more than once. After starting at Banner Thunderbird, she got her Certified Pediatric Nurse certification which took countless hours of studying.

Darlene goes above and beyond to care for her patients. After a grueling 12 hr shift she would go home and make a personalized pillowcase for a patient that needed a little something to cheer them up. This nurse looks at all aspects of the patient while under her care. She helps not only their physical pains but looks into their mental health as well.

One time she had a 9 year old that had a flat affect and wouldn't budge to smile. Darlene went home and devised a plan to get this patient to smile. She came in the next day with a set of goofy glasses and a sound machine; the patient wouldn't stop laughing. Someone who is willing to go home and think of what the patients' needs are, is a DAISY nurse. Darlene didn't care what her peers would think, she is willing to be goofy and have fun to lift any patient's spirit up.

I have witnessed her compassionate care first hand. She carries this around not only in the hospital setting but off hours too. There was a patient that didn't have parents around and was inconsolable until held, Darlene stayed late to hold and comfort the baby.

Darlene is all about being part of the team. She volunteers to float to the NICU when needed. There are several days she spends in her off hours making poster boards for the floor. She is flexible with scheduling and is willing to help her fellow nurses out even if it affects her own family plans. Many times she has to stay late to chart because of the quality care that she gives. Just because she has four patients doesn't mean that any of they are going to notice a lack of care and compassion. Her nurse ethics are strong, she would never leave or dump a bunch of work on the next shift's nurse.

There are so many countless things she does: not for recognition and definitely under the radar. Standing in line to get the "cool" cartoon stamps for her get well cards she sends to most of her patients is one of them.

Darlene West has been a role-model DAISY nurse since day one. I can truly, from the bottom of my heart, say that. Why? Because I am her daughter, a Nurse, a DAISY Honoree, a recipient of her care and compassion; and she is the role model I see day in and day out; she is the nurse I strive to be.