Elizabeth Carter 2, MSN, RN

Elizabeth deserved this nomination a year ago, but at the time I couldn't find the words. I was struggling deeply outside of school while managing my own mental health, trying to support my child through their own crisis, and barely holding together the pieces of life while starting one of the most important-to-my-career programs I've ever attempted. In the middle of all of that, She was teaching what is arguably one of the most challenging subjects to make engaging: Yet she showed up with compassion, humor, and honesty every single day.

While we know her as an instructor and 0B nurse, I had the privilege of experiencing her as something more — a sounding board, a guide, and a steady voice when everything in my life felt unsteady. I was ready to quit the program I had only just begun because life had become overwhelming. Her encouragement, her openness about her own experiences, and her willingness to sit with me in my hardest moments changed everything.

A two hour conversation and a few quick checkins in the hallway were enough to keep me grounded, focused, and able to care for my patients, my family, and myself. Because of her support, I am still here. My child is home and stable. I am preparing to be pinned and to move forward toward my goal of becoming a midwife. I will always remember the immeasurable impact she made on me . quietly, without recognition, without ever making it about herself. She modeled the kind of nurse I hope to become: someone who sees people, supports them, and helps them find their way back to themselves.

On the DAISY website, the suggested criteria for a nursing faculty nominee are:

• Demonstrates enthusiasm for teaching, learning, and nursing that inspires and motivates students. — Mental Health is so important, and she made sure we understood the gravity of it.
• Is fair and unbiased in his/her treatment of individual students. — she is probably the firmest in her standards kind of professor I have ever had, Favoritism doesn't appear to happen; we all get the exact same version of her.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. — She will talk to anyone. She isn't afraid to walk up to someone she doesn't know in class or clinicals and introduce herself and set up a great day of experiences for us.
• Develops collaborative working relationships with students and colleagues. — see above. This all ties in together. She encourages students to connect and network with each other and hospital staff. She changed the trajectory of my life, and I am endlessly grateful. She is profoundly deserving of the DAISY Award.

This is Elizabeth's 2nd DAISY Award!