When we saw the call for nominations for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, we immediately thought of Robyn Setter! We all have worked with Robyn throughout these years in one capacity or another. Robyn has worked at TUKHS as a nurse for 39 years and worked as a PCA for two years totaling her service to 41 years. We decided to nominate Robyn, but we knew we couldn’t do it without a village to truly tell the story of her career, and paint the picture of how many people she has impacted along her journey. In her nomination, you will read stories from her coworkers that outline how Robyn served as a role model and mentor, how she created an environment of trust, compassion, and mutual respect, and how she continued to develop professionally while sharing her vision and enthusiasm to achieve better outcomes for herself, the patients, and the nurse residents, and how she enhanced the image of nursing within the organization, community, and profession. I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as we did and seeing how far Robyn has made an impact throughout the organization, community, and the nation.

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Robyn started the Nurse Residency Program in 2003. Over the years she has worked with many different Nurse Residency Coordinators, always welcoming them with open arms, providing historical program information, walking them through their first accreditation site visit, and helping them grow professionally.

Robyn has been a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Nurse Residency Evaluator for accreditation since 2009 and has sat on the CCNE Nurse Residency Advisory Committee since 2016.

In 2015, on my first day in the department, Robyn was out of the office at a CCNE accreditation site visit. I remember sitting at my desk trying to make sense of the program documents I was reviewing, wondering if I was in over my head. It was at that moment in time I received a text message from Robyn welcoming me to the department and reassuring me this is where I belonged.

We definitely had our work cut out for us. We knew we wanted to shift the program from lecture to interactive for the nurse residents. The program was rapidly growing, and we needed standardized processes in place. Robyn and I rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We tackled one thing at a time, and before we knew it, we had a completely restructured program.

Robyn is great about pushing you outside your comfort zone while providing enough support, so you know you are not alone in the process. At my very first Nurse Residency conference, we submitted an abstract that was accepted to present a podium. I had never presented at a national conference, but Robyn was a pro. She has presented at over 35 local, regional, and national nursing conferences. She mentored me through creating a presentation and helped me practice, over and over again. Once we arrived on site, she took me to the room we were presenting in and had me practice on the same stage we would present on the next day. All this prep work helped calm my nerves, and I am happy to report our presentation went great! It was at that conference that I realized that I was working with someone who impacted the nursing profession on a large scale. Person after person came up to Robyn and asked for advice or told stories of how she helped them. Robyn had mentored multiple new coordinators and programs around the nation. Every year, during conferences, she still meets and goes to dinner with those people.

In March of 2020, the education department was deployed to the COVID-19 hotline to triage calls and help navigate the twists and turns that the pandemic brought. At first, Robyn was taking triaging phone calls and proving directions. She then helped develop the first electronic REDCap intake process to standardize the message given to patients and employees. Robyn also worked at the COVID Vaccine clinic proving COVID vaccines to patients and employees. From there, Robyn transitioned to the educator role and trained other staff members to give vaccines and document using the ROVER phones.

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The term “advocate” can take on a few different meanings, and those of us in healthcare often associate the aforementioned term with patients. As nurses, we advocate for our patients, serve as patient advocates and demonstrate advocacy at numerous levels for what we believe our patients need.

When I think of Robyn Setter, I see her as an advocate, and certainly, her advocacy reaches patients in her role as an educator. Her passion for educating nurses, novices to experts, is palpable in the work she does, and I am confident this reaches our patients in numerous ways. When I think of one of the many reasons why Robyn is deserving of the 2021 DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, it isn’t because of her patient advocacy. It is because of her staunch advocacy to our Nurse Residents; our nurses new to practice who are trying to navigate the ever-rough waters of entry-into-professional practice, interpersonal interactions, work-life balance, and self-care.

Robyn was fiercely advocating for nurses to care for themselves long before it was a “thing.” She was ahead of her time, and almost clairvoyant in her anticipation of a period in which this concept would become more important than ever. She sought out my assistance years ago and asked if I could speak to the residents about how to care for themselves, and what has evolved is time spent with our Nurse Resident groups to really dive into the importance of caring for yourself, and not in the traditional sense. We talk about stress and the effect it has on the mind, body, emotions, and responses. We talk about how important it is to treat others and ourselves with empathy. We talk about boundaries. We talk about anything and everything we can to try and make the lives of our Nurse Residents more fulfilling because we know that the people who will reap the most benefit (other than the nurses themselves) are the patients we care for.

Robyn is highly regarded within our health system as an expert in nursing education, and she is held in high esteem throughout the national nursing community for her contribution to continually improving the way in which we integrate our new nurses into practice. Robyn was appointed a CCNE Board seat in 2020. She is continually looking for new and innovative ways to educate and support nurses and has an inspiring ability to see through generational differences and misconceptions to shift her methods and modalities to meet the needs of those she is educating. She is approachable, knowledgeable, trustworthy, and energetic. She makes learning fun for everyone around her, and that is a very inspiring quality in an educator. Robyn cares deeply about our profession, and this shines through in her practice. I am so grateful to have been influenced by her over the years, and humbled that she would encourage me to be part of the curriculum she has built with her team. Her willingness to embrace our new nurses and shepherd them into their first year of practice is inspiring, and I am confident her influence touches our patients continually in one way or another.

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I remember Robyn from 13 years ago as I began in my role as an Education Specialist at a different organization. We were both in the MOKAN Nursing Student placement group. I immediately recognized her as a leader of the group, influencing the creation of a new website and the concurrent processes that would support the growing number of student placements in the Greater Kansas City area. I joined the local Association of Nurses in Professional Development (ANPD, called NNSDO at the time), and Robyn was on the Board. When we found ourselves at the same ANPD conference, Robyn reached out to me as if I were an old friend, even though we had only met a few times. I was by myself and she embraced me as an old friend would. She had a way of pulling people into her group and making them feel welcome and valued. I began to see her as a role model of leadership in the city.

When I decided to pursue a position at The University of Kansas Health System in 2013, I was excited to see Robyn in my interview...along with about 10 others. It could have been overwhelming, but Robyn asked me questions that helped me collect my nerves and enjoy sharing what I felt I could offer to the team. She already believed in me. I was excited to become a part of the Ed/Dev team, now called Nursing Practice, Research, and Professional Development.

While I began learning the ins and outs of the orientation process, I was soon pulled in to help Robyn with student placements. We worked together until I became the lead, giving Robyn more time to build the Nurse Residency Program. One of the first tasks I was asked to do during the beginning phases of being the student placement coordinator was to help write the NLN Center of Excellence application. Robyn treated me as an equal and valued my input making it possible for me to make a significant contribution. We found our strengths in working together, met all our deadlines, and created an application that led us to receive the NLN COE Award. During this process of writing and then traveling to receive the award, I could see how leaders trusted Robyn and treated her as a peer, leader, and friend at a national level as well as within our own organization.

Robyn’s willingness to give me the role of student placement coordinator demonstrated her trust in me and my abilities, a key characteristic of a great leader. We continue to work together on student placements, and I involve Robyn when difficult questions arise, I need advice or want to just have someone to talk to about the situation. She is a great listener and brings a perspective based on her vast experience and understanding of the legal and ethical considerations related to students within our organization. I am better at my job because of my relationship with Robyn.

I was speaking with Robyn one day, and she said she was going to the Sigma Theta Tau Delta chapter meeting. I had been a member of a different chapter, and she encouraged me to join the one here at KU. She was in leadership of the chapter at the time. She made everything sound fun, so I changed my membership. I have been an active member in the Delta Chapter of Sigma for over 4 years. When I was telling this to some co-workers of mine, we found out the same thing happened to them. Robyn had secretly recruited members for the Delta Chapter for years which makes sense seeing as she has been a member since 1991, leadership succession chair from 2010-2012, President from 2013-2015, and Past President from 2015-2016. She is encouraging others to branch out and try new things.

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I met Robyn Setter 27 years ago when I began working on Pediatrics, located on 5F (Delp building). I worked on the School-age, Adolescent unit and she was managing the Infant-Toddler unit. I didn’t get to know Robyn well until I started working in the PICU in 1995. Robyn had a background in PICU and was good friends with several of the seasoned nurses in the PICU. She had transitioned out of the leadership position and moved into the DON Educator role at that point. Robyn often picked up extra shifts in the PICU, typically in the evenings and weekends. She was a wealth of knowledge and knew so many people. It was always an enjoyable shift when she came to help. Robyn had a vast experience in patient care and her knowledge was always appreciated by this novice nurse. It was Robyn who called me and invited me to join her and several others to start a local chapter for the Society of Pediatric Nurses. This was in 2003, before NLAP, before it was ‘cool’ to get involved in outside organization. As a result, I became involved on a local level and a few years later, a National level. It was due to her encouragement and support. Later, Robyn turned her attention to the national nurse educator’s organization. She continues to be involved in the national organizations and helps many programs get their Nurse Residency program up and running.

As an Education Specialist, I got to know Robyn even better when I became the Unit Educator for the Pediatric Unit and the PICU. She became the go-to person for me in the DON department. She was great at brainstorming, teaching and reassuring. When I needed an ear to listen, she was there. When I began managing, again, Robyn was there to support me. She had walked in my shoes and had great ideas to support me.

Now, in my current position in the NPRP Department, once again, Robyn is there to support me by lending an ear, teaching a class, or helping me brainstorm. It is an honor to be part of this nomination. She is an innovator and a leader and is deserving of this Lifetime Achievement Award!

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I have worked directly with Robyn Setter since 2002 and know without question that she is considered a “guiding light” for nursing within the Kansas City region. Her city-wide and state-wide influence is apparent mostly through her tireless work with students and schools of nursing. Robyn has an exquisite understanding of both student learner needs and the logistics needed to create the environments needed for that learning. I have worked with all the Kansas City area hospitals and schools of nursing and can honestly say that no one has the grasp and the grace that Robyn has in sorting through student learning/clinical issues. She’s the one we have all turned to as we try to figure out thorny problems. She was on the board of the MOKAN system, a collaborative between schools of nursing and hospitals developed in the early 2000s. Robyn served on the six-person board for this group for many years, and then educated other KU hospital representatives on how to be a strong leader in that role.

“A Transformational Nursing Leader” is such an apt term to describe Robyn. In addition to her acumen in figuring out logistics and putting student learning high on the list, she also treats all human beings with such unfailing respect. I have never heard her say an unkind word about anyone. If she has to say something constructive (as opposed to positive), you can always count on her to be respectful and understanding. What a role model she is for others—for that trait alone!

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Robyn has a passion for community services and encourages others to get involved. Every year, Robyn goes above and beyond providing for those in need whether it’s donating her time or a monetary amount. She has been an Operation Breakthrough volunteer every Tuesday for the past 11 years. She has served on the Servants of Mary, Women’s Auxiliary since 2006. Robyn was very passionate about the Headstrong for Jake program and volunteered her time from 2012-2016. Robyn has completed multiple HERO events within the organization, but two events specifically bring tears to her eyes when she speaks of them: placing wreaths on veterans’ graves and the Christmas store. Robyn donated money to support a program that provided 50 students with a free book each month of their school year. Her big heart and generosity are great examples for her family, friends, coworkers, and community members.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was nervous and had every question imaginable. Thankfully I shared an office with Robyn who was so patient with my questions and gave me the best advice. One day after work, I had a fender bender. I didn’t know what to do, but Robyn encouraged me to go to OB triage and volunteered to go with me if needed. Once my daughter was born, she sent frequent text messages to check in on us and ask if we needed anything. Robyn recommended a fantastic pediatrician that was close to home. After one of my daughter’s checkup appointments, I was finally able to stop by the department so everyone could meet my daughter. Robyn immediately ran over and held her. I was so thankful at that moment that I had a great co-worker, but more importantly a great friend.

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I started at the organization in 2012 and went through the Nurse Residency Program. Robyn Setter was of course my Coordinator and the one that stuck out the most to me during that blur of my first year. She was welcoming, inviting, and friendly. While new graduates tend to feel timid around those they don’t know, and especially in a large group setting, she made it feel safe and secure to share stories and ask questions.

Fast forward a few years, and I am asked by my Unit Educator to join Nurse Residency again but as one of the first Facilitators-in-Training. I didn’t know what to expect going into the training class, but there was Robyn Setter again welcoming all of us with open arms and a friendly smile. She has an amazing memory, as most of us know, and she remembered all of us as though it was just yesterday that we were in a large group with her. The passion she has for nurses, no matter where they are in their careers, is one-of-a-kind.

Fast forward again a few more years, and during that time I had the chance to be my own primary facilitator for a new unit in the organization. I was able to work with Robyn and the team more to help support the nurse residents. I can’t tell you how many times I have had new graduates say how much they love Robyn, and how inviting and welcoming she is. Touching this many lives isn’t easy, but Robyn makes it look effortless and does it with the ease of only Robyn can do.

Just last year, I was able to join the NPRPD department as the third Nurse Residency Coordinator. Thinking back to January of 2020, I am sure Robyn and Vickie had other thoughts about how my orientation would go, but as we know COVID hit us shortly thereafter. Robyn has been instrumental to me as a role model and mentor in orienting me to this new role. She consistently goes above and beyond not only for those in the department but for the nurse residents both past and present.

She has an open-door policy for all current and past nurse residents to help them with professional growth and introduce them to other areas of the organization. She is an amazing resource to have, as her passion for all things nursing is paramount and contagious! I am so lucky to be able to see her in action and see the lives she has touched. She can’t walk down the hallway without stopping and seeing how someone is doing or asking about their family. It is refreshing to have someone like Robyn in our lives.

We believe Robyn Setter should be considered for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. Robyn has made a significant change in young nurses across the organization. Her determination and dedication to the Nurse Residency Program, the community, and the nursing profession have left an imprint on thousands of nurses not only in our community but across the nation.