There is no one situation that demonstrates the characteristics of Karen Diem that make her a deserving candidate of the Daisy Award. Rather, her personality and characteristics that she exhibits every day as a person and a registered nurse, qualify her as an outstanding model for this award. I met Karen over 3 years ago as I was a newly hired RN to SSU in 2006. Karen was one of the preceptors assigned to me for orientation to the unit.

At that time, Karen was a dedicated team player on our unit, keeping compassionate patient comfort and care a top priority at all times. She remains a wonderful role model to me and the entire staff. Since that time, I have witnessed Karen grow and develop into a confident leader and charge nurse, as she has assumed more and more administrative responsibilities. As she grows in her leadership roles, I have been pleased to observe the qualities that made me admire Karen when I first met her, are still her trademark. Skilled, compassionate patient care exemplifies her enduring commitment to her role as a registered nurse. Even while acting as charge nurse, she remains a vital team player, overcoming job stress and anxiety provoking situations, multitasking while she keeps the unit running smoothly. She offers help where needed, checking on co-worker’s assignments to insure that assignment activities remain manageable. As Karen climbs the ladder of nursing success, she takes all of us on her journey. Karen Diem is a deserving candidate of the Daisy Award.