Advancing Health Equity is important in all aspects of nursing. This nominee discovered a family in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that needed assistance. Although health equity was not on her radar when she stepped up to help this family, it soon became clear that it was an issue. This nurse is bilingual and has a degree in Spanish Language. The family she assisted was Spanish-speaking. The communication needs of this family during this extremely difficult time were a challenge, and this nurse stepped in to use her language skills to enhance communication, including bereavement care for this infant’s parents. 

Because of this need found in the NICU, this nurse has started putting together bereavement items in Spanish. Making sure that families obtain a "Precious Print" (charm fingerprint of their infant) and can read the information in their language. She found out that the College of Nursing has a Spanish consent form for Precious Prints and is making sure it is stocked with the Precious Prints information. The NICU provides memory books for families with infant loss. This nurse has made a boy and girl memory book in Spanish so that staff can easily put one together if she is not working. 

Language barriers lead to increased literacy and health literacy barriers, making it difficult to improve health equity. Not knowing the language is isolating and terrifying, especially when you do not know what is happening to your infant. This nominee's communication skills and knowledge of health disparities are excellent. Her compassion for those experiencing the social determinants of health is outstanding, as she appreciates that their life experiences are important and that they need her compassion and understanding. She will translate to Spanish information written on NICU baby whiteboards, so families are updated in their language. She also feels the need to "do" something to help. Providing resources for our Spanish-speaking population is part of helping our post-partum families. Additionally, she provides culturally appropriate care for the NICU population and helps other team members do the same. 

I am proud to nominate this nurse for the DAISY Award for Nurses Advancing Health Equity. She has a passion for NICU nursing, the Spanish-speaking population, and improving culturally appropriate care. She is currently working on a certification to become a certified translator. She personifies the criteria for this nomination.