As a nurse, I have spent years at the bedside, advocating for patients, providing comfort, and striving to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care. However, nothing prepared me for the vulnerability I felt when I became a patient myself. Suddenly, the roles were reversed—I was no longer the caregiver but the one needing care. It was during this challenging and humbling time that I encountered Jessica, and I can say without hesitation that she exemplified everything the DAISY Award represents. From the moment she entered my room, she treated me not only as a patient but as a whole person—with dignity, empathy, and an unwavering sense of compassion. She saw beyond the hospital gown and acknowledged the part of me that was a fellow nurse, a caregiver now temporarily in need of care.

Rather than make assumptions or dismiss my knowledge, she respected it and used it to collaborate with me in a way that was empowering and deeply reassuring. What stood out most was her ability to blend clinical excellence with genuine human kindness. Whether it was explaining procedures in a way that comforted both the nurse and the anxious patient in me, or taking a few extra moments to check on how I was coping emotionally, she made me feel seen and heard. Even the small gestures—a warm blanket without asking, a touch on the shoulder, a kind word when I needed it most—meant everything. In a profession where we often pour so much of ourselves into others, it is rare and beautiful to receive that same level of care in return.

Jessica reminded me why I became a nurse in the first place. Her presence gave me peace during a time of uncertainty, and her care rekindled my own passion for nursing, reminding me of the profound impact we can have on someone’s life. I wholeheartedly nominate Jessica for the DAISY Award. She is the embodiment of nursing excellence, and I will forever be grateful for the way she cared for me—not just as a patient, but as a person, and as a fellow nurse.