Whenever I have seen Joe in the hospital, he has a smile on his face. He even shows up to work with a smile and friendly 'hello' to everyone. His love for nursing shows on his face in caring for his patients. My students and I saw him showing his concern and empathy for each of his patients in the way he talks to them and then stays at their bedside listening to what the patient had to tell even though he knew he was falling behind in what he needed to accomplish for that day. My students and I watched him sit with a patient, calmly talking to her and comforting her waiting for her to give a signal that she was ready to replace her infiltrated IV. He never rushed her so he could just get finished and leave the room to move on to the next task. He calmly explained each step and waited patiently for his elderly patient to say, "ok, I am ready".

Joe was not only a role model to the student assigned to him each week, but also was a role model to all my students. As a college professor, I observed my students watching his professionalism and empathy with patients, family members, staff, and other members of the medical community. His therapeutic communication skills were front and center with every patient and person he talked to on the unit. He demonstrated each day his assessment expertise and critical thinking skills on each and every patient showing my students how a strong and skillful nurse should look. All of my students requested to be assigned to Joe on our clinical day. I knew that if they were following him they would learn so much, more than what they would learn in a classroom.

Most importantly, I also saw Joe as a team player. Other staff members would ask him for help or to do something for them and he would step up and do what was requested. Joe's heart and compassion have made a powerful difference in how I and my senior nursing students see the role of a professional nurse. He is a nurse anyone would want to have to stand at their bedside caring for them. Joe is a true DAISY Nurse.