Patricia Crepps received many nominations from students and faculty. One student recalls, "I first met Professor Crepps in my clinical rotation for Med-Surg, and she was very approachable when it came to understanding the complexities of nursing pathology. She guided me through clinical problems, helping me gain invaluable experience in the hospital setting. She was my first professor who didn’t make me feel pressured to sit at a computer all day to get my clinical papers done on time. Instead, she focused on hands-on experience, teaching us the actual realities of nursing. When I didn’t understand what was going on with a patient, she took the time to sit down and help me connect all the dots, guiding me on how to prioritize as a nurse to improve patient outcomes. She helped me truly understand nursing priorities.”

Another student shared a touching story about Professor Crepps' compassion, saying, "Professor Crepps once told our clinical group that if any of us ever found ourselves without lunch, she would pay for it. No other professor has given me that type of guidance and love. She made me feel like everything would be okay, even in tough times. She always finds a way to make us laugh, which is something we desperately need as students navigating the challenges of nursing school. If I could pick someone who truly deserves this DAISY Award, it would be her! She is not only an amazing, caring, and loving person, but she is also a role model for me."

Yet another student reflected on Professor Crepps' dedication, even when she wasn’t officially assigned to them. “During a clinical rotation in the Cancer Nursing Unit, Professor Crepps was working as a nurse but wasn’t assigned a student. Despite that, she saw us struggling with our lack of practice with IVs and made it a point to call us over whenever an opportunity for practice arose. Her genuine care for our learning experience and desire to set us up for success, even outside of her designated role, was evident. When I finally had her as my clinical professor, she proved to be invaluable to my education, supporting me through a challenging semester both academically and personally.”

These excerpts from her students highlight just a few of the many reasons why Professor Crepps is so deserving of this award. She creates an environment where students feel safe to learn and grow, where they feel supported not just academically but personally, and where they are encouraged to ask questions, make mistakes, and become the best versions of themselves as future nurses.

Professor Crepps, has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to your students, her ability to make complex concepts accessible, her kindness, and her humor make a profound difference in the lives of everyone you teach. She is not only shaping the careers of future nurses but also inspiring them to be compassionate, competent, and confident professionals.