May 2026 Honoree
Fiona Hughes
I am pleased to nominate Ms. Fiona Hughes for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students. As a graduating BSN student in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Fiona exemplifies exceptional compassion, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to patient‑centered care.
Fiona consistently places patients at the heart of her nursing practice. She listens deeply, communicates thoughtfully, and ensures each individual feels respected and involved in their care. Her ability to build trusting, therapeutic relationships allows patients and families to feel supported and understood, even during vulnerable moments. This patient‑centered approach reflects a maturity and empathy far beyond that of a typical nursing student.
Fiona also demonstrates a strong commitment to evidence‑based practice, skillfully integrating current research, clinical guidelines, and best‑practice standards into her decision‑making. She thoughtfully articulates the rationale behind her care, seeks out reliable sources to strengthen her clinical reasoning, and consistently strives to provide safe, high‑quality, evidence‑informed nursing interventions.
Her professional qualities further distinguish her. Fiona is reliable, ethical, and respectful in all interactions. She collaborates seamlessly with peers and interdisciplinary team members, welcomes feedback with professionalism, and maintains a calm, compassionate presence in demanding situations. She is often the first to offer assistance, advocate for a patient, or support a classmate, consistently demonstrating integrity and leadership.
Fiona’s long‑standing commitment to service strengthens her identity as a compassionate future nurse. Since her freshman year of high school, she has volunteered with the New Salem Presbyterian Food Bank, dedicating her time to supporting families in need. Her service has been sustained, meaningful, and grounded in genuine care for others. Additionally, Fiona has been an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society for many years. Most notably, she independently raised over $700 for the Relay for Life event held on our campus—an achievement that reflects both her initiative and her ability to rally others behind a worthy cause. These experiences demonstrate her enduring commitment to humanity, empathy, and advocacy long before entering the nursing profession.
Fiona Hughes embodies the qualities the DAISY Award celebrates. Her compassion, professionalism, evidence‑guided practice, and long‑standing dedication to serving others make her an extraordinary nursing student and an inspiring future registered nurse. I am honored to support her nomination for this meaningful recognition.
Fiona consistently places patients at the heart of her nursing practice. She listens deeply, communicates thoughtfully, and ensures each individual feels respected and involved in their care. Her ability to build trusting, therapeutic relationships allows patients and families to feel supported and understood, even during vulnerable moments. This patient‑centered approach reflects a maturity and empathy far beyond that of a typical nursing student.
Fiona also demonstrates a strong commitment to evidence‑based practice, skillfully integrating current research, clinical guidelines, and best‑practice standards into her decision‑making. She thoughtfully articulates the rationale behind her care, seeks out reliable sources to strengthen her clinical reasoning, and consistently strives to provide safe, high‑quality, evidence‑informed nursing interventions.
Her professional qualities further distinguish her. Fiona is reliable, ethical, and respectful in all interactions. She collaborates seamlessly with peers and interdisciplinary team members, welcomes feedback with professionalism, and maintains a calm, compassionate presence in demanding situations. She is often the first to offer assistance, advocate for a patient, or support a classmate, consistently demonstrating integrity and leadership.
Fiona’s long‑standing commitment to service strengthens her identity as a compassionate future nurse. Since her freshman year of high school, she has volunteered with the New Salem Presbyterian Food Bank, dedicating her time to supporting families in need. Her service has been sustained, meaningful, and grounded in genuine care for others. Additionally, Fiona has been an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society for many years. Most notably, she independently raised over $700 for the Relay for Life event held on our campus—an achievement that reflects both her initiative and her ability to rally others behind a worthy cause. These experiences demonstrate her enduring commitment to humanity, empathy, and advocacy long before entering the nursing profession.
Fiona Hughes embodies the qualities the DAISY Award celebrates. Her compassion, professionalism, evidence‑guided practice, and long‑standing dedication to serving others make her an extraordinary nursing student and an inspiring future registered nurse. I am honored to support her nomination for this meaningful recognition.
Thank you, Fiona, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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