Tom was a nurse whom I had as a nursing student this semester. When working with Tom, I noticed his ability to form meaningful connections and relationships with everyone he encountered. He showed me what truly exceptional nursing care looked like.

He was able to provide outstanding care in many different fields, from mental health to end-of-life. During my time with Tom, it was very clear to me that he was not only my mentor for the day, but a mentor for many nurses on the unit.

He is keen on making everyone he interacts with feel seen, acknowledging them, asking how they are doing, and having a meaningful conversation, and he definitely will not leave you without a smile on your face.

Tom is extremely educated. If I were receiving care at any hospital, I would almost trust his clinical competency more than a doctor's.

Nursing school is already extremely stressful, and the clinical experience can be overwhelming. Tom made sure that I was “comfortable being uncomfortable,” which greatly contributed to my growth as a student this semester. He pushed me to perform skills within my scope of practice that have built my clinical competency and confidence as a student nurse. He was patient, listened, and took the time to fully understand and support me.

That being said, a DAISY Award is for outstanding nurses. I wanted to add that Tom went out of his way to make sure that I was comfortable during every clinical day I spent with him. He had no problem offering to get me breakfast and making sure I ate and drank water throughout the day. After a difficult interaction, Tom went out of his way to get me a piece of candy and offered reassurance for a job well done.

I believe that every nursing student should have a Tom.

Tom is an amazing person, nurse, preceptor, and mentor who truly embodies the dedication, compassion, patience, and excellence that the DAISY Award represents. In a perfect world, Tom would have a meadow for how many lives he has changed through his practice and in the education he has provided to many students.

He is the embodiment of what every nurse should aspire to be and will continue to be a role model for me in my nursing career.