Megan Smith
December 2025
Megan
Smith
,
RN
Critical Care ICU
Loma Linda University Medical Center - Murrieta
Murrieta
,
CA
United States
She listened. She taught. She comforted. All while expertly tending to my critically ill son.
It is with immense gratitude and heartfelt emotion that I nominate Nurse Megan from the ICU at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Murrieta, for The DAISY Award. Her presence in our lives during a time of unimaginable fear and heartbreak will never be forgotten. She exemplifies the very essence of compassionate nursing, and her extraordinary care changed our lives forever.
Recently, my son was brought to LLU Murrieta in critical condition. As a mother—and a healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience, nothing could have prepared me for the moment I saw him come through those ER doors on a gurney. In that moment, I was no longer a clinician. I was simply a terrified parent, praying for my son’s life.
From the moment we entered the ICU, Megan stood out. She didn’t need to say a word—her calm, steady presence spoke volumes. Her eyes met us with a look that said, “You’re not alone. We’re going to take care of him.” In the midst of chaos, that single moment brought a sense of peace we desperately needed. As my son was being stabilized, Megan never once left his side. She worked swiftly and skillfully, explaining every medication, every line, and every procedure—not just for transparency, but to help us feel involved, informed, and reassured. Even as we asked endless questions, her patience never wavered. She listened. She taught. She comforted. All while expertly tending to my critically ill son.
But Megan's care went beyond the clinical. She saw us—truly saw us—as people, as parents, as a family trying to hold it together. She prayed with us. She embraced us when the weight of the unknown became too heavy. She answered every alarm before we had time to panic. She gave us the gift of presence—calm, confident, compassionate presence—during our family’s worst nightmare. Over the next two days, Megan continued to care for our son. Just knowing she was there brought us peace. We knew he was in the hands of someone whose heart was fully in her work.
She embodies what The DAISY Award stands for: clinical excellence paired with extraordinary compassion. Megan doesn’t just care for her patients—she cares about them. And it shows in every interaction, every word, every gesture. Megan even took the time to come up to the unit when she returned to work for her shifts the following week, just to ensure he was doing well and to check on him. I will forever be indebted to Megan. Her skill, empathy, and unwavering support gave us hope when we felt hopeless. She didn’t just care for my son—she cared for our whole family. She is, without question, a true DAISY Nurse.
**This is Megan's 2nd DAISY Award!
Recently, my son was brought to LLU Murrieta in critical condition. As a mother—and a healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience, nothing could have prepared me for the moment I saw him come through those ER doors on a gurney. In that moment, I was no longer a clinician. I was simply a terrified parent, praying for my son’s life.
From the moment we entered the ICU, Megan stood out. She didn’t need to say a word—her calm, steady presence spoke volumes. Her eyes met us with a look that said, “You’re not alone. We’re going to take care of him.” In the midst of chaos, that single moment brought a sense of peace we desperately needed. As my son was being stabilized, Megan never once left his side. She worked swiftly and skillfully, explaining every medication, every line, and every procedure—not just for transparency, but to help us feel involved, informed, and reassured. Even as we asked endless questions, her patience never wavered. She listened. She taught. She comforted. All while expertly tending to my critically ill son.
But Megan's care went beyond the clinical. She saw us—truly saw us—as people, as parents, as a family trying to hold it together. She prayed with us. She embraced us when the weight of the unknown became too heavy. She answered every alarm before we had time to panic. She gave us the gift of presence—calm, confident, compassionate presence—during our family’s worst nightmare. Over the next two days, Megan continued to care for our son. Just knowing she was there brought us peace. We knew he was in the hands of someone whose heart was fully in her work.
She embodies what The DAISY Award stands for: clinical excellence paired with extraordinary compassion. Megan doesn’t just care for her patients—she cares about them. And it shows in every interaction, every word, every gesture. Megan even took the time to come up to the unit when she returned to work for her shifts the following week, just to ensure he was doing well and to check on him. I will forever be indebted to Megan. Her skill, empathy, and unwavering support gave us hope when we felt hopeless. She didn’t just care for my son—she cared for our whole family. She is, without question, a true DAISY Nurse.
**This is Megan's 2nd DAISY Award!