Rebecca
Puchkors
May 2026
Rebecca
Puchkors
,
DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CA-CP SANE
Louise Herrington School of Nursing Baylor University
Dallas
,
TX
United States
By creating space for those conversations and encouraging reflection, she has helped me become both a better student and a more thoughtful future nurse.
In the 2026 Spring semester, Dr. Rebecca Puchkors received 5 nominations for Extraordinary Nurse Educators, two from students and three from her faculty peers.
The two students highlighted that Dr. Rebecca Puchkors is beyond deserving of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators because of the compassion, genuine care, and support she shows to everyone she encounters. I had the honor of learning from Dr. Puchkors as my professor, clinical instructor, and as a mission trip leader to Vietnam. She has truly made a lasting impact on how I view the grace and purpose of nursing, and I am certain she has done the same for many of my peers.
Dr. Puchkors emphasizes that the core of human compassion is understanding others and refraining from judgment. Because of this perspective, I have changed the way I approach patient care. In clinical, she encouraged us to reflect deeply on the lives of the people we were caring for and to consider what circumstances may have led them there. She reminded us that many patients are not making health decisions out of disregard for themselves, but often as a way of coping with difficult circumstances. This perspective makes you reflect on how you might act if you were in a similar situation.
Professor Puchkors was a fantastic clinical professor who not only taught us important techniques in all areas of nursing but also led by example. There was a patient who was escalating, and she wasted no time making sure her students were safe, then helped the staff with de-escalation, even though that was not her job. She made sure we knew that we could always go to her if we needed guidance
Her encouragement of self-reflection helps students develop deeper empathy and approach patients without judgment, ultimately shaping more compassionate nurses entering the workforce. Dr. Puchkors also demonstrates exceptional cultural competency. Through her mission work in Vietnam, Guatemala, and other communities, she has developed a deep respect for different cultures and approaches each experience as a learner, striving to provide care that aligns with a patient’s cultural values. She truly leads by example, and her respect for others naturally influences those around her.
Beyond being an outstanding instructor who supports students academically, Dr. Puchkors also cares deeply for our emotional well-being. There have been times when I felt stressed, overwhelmed, or uncertain about the future, and she always took the time to recognize my peers and me as people with complex lives, not just students. By creating space for those conversations and encouraging reflection, she has helped me become both a better student and a more thoughtful future nurse.
Dr. Puchkors also emphasizes the importance of self-care starting in nursing school. By encouraging us to check in with our emotions and take time for ourselves, she equips her students with the tools to manage the emotional demands of our future careers. Her guidance reminds us that caring for ourselves allows us to continue caring deeply for our patients without becoming burned out.
As my professor, she entertained my many, many questions and answered them with a smile. She is truly dedicated to her job as an educator, nurse, and role model. She takes the time to truly know her students and encourages us to nurture our passions and lives outside of school. Her compassion, wisdom, and commitment to shaping thoughtful, empathetic nurses make her incredibly deserving of the DAISY Award.
***
Her faculty peers share that Dr. Puchkors consistently demonstrates exceptional compassion toward her students and supports her fellow educators in every way she can.
Dr. Puchkors is a fantastic mentor to students. She offers open office hours and tutoring for her students. Most recently, when a student became visibly distressed during a simulation because of the topic's sensitive nature, Dr. Puchkors immediately stepped in to provide support and share her expertise. She consistently emphasizes the importance of self-care to our students, reminding them that caring for themselves is essential to caring for their patients.
She serves as a trusted mentor to many new mental health faculty, always taking the time to help them acclimate to their roles. Since I began my position as coordinator, Dr. Puchkors has been my primary resource for mental health–related questions, offering her guidance with unfailing kindness and professionalism. With many new adjunct faculty members joining our program, Dr. Puchkors went above and beyond by helping set up their Canvas courses. One brand-new professor who was still onboarding at the University did not have access to certain systems. Dr. Puchkors posted the class on her behalf. Later, she helped the professor navigate this process and learn how to use Canvas for the first time.
Dr. Puchkors also regularly fills in for her peers. She conducted a pre-briefing when a faculty member had to substitute for another instructor following the ice storm. Another professor shared how she fills in for her peers during their absences. She also creates content to share with the group.
In addition, Dr. Puchkors had to expand clinical opportunities to accommodate our largest Level 2 cohort this spring. She facilitated the acquisition of clinical sites among the practice partners she knows. It is because of her that we have added 4 mental health clinical sites in Level 2 and have enough places for our students to learn. She also worked to create additional simulation experiences for our students needing them.
All five nominations agree that everything Dr. Puchkors does reflects her compassionate care of both faculty and students at LHSON. She is an unsung hero in Level 2 and supports global education at LHSON. She embodies the values of compassion, mentorship, and excellence, and she is the epitome of a DAISY Nurse Educator Award recipient.
The two students highlighted that Dr. Rebecca Puchkors is beyond deserving of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators because of the compassion, genuine care, and support she shows to everyone she encounters. I had the honor of learning from Dr. Puchkors as my professor, clinical instructor, and as a mission trip leader to Vietnam. She has truly made a lasting impact on how I view the grace and purpose of nursing, and I am certain she has done the same for many of my peers.
Dr. Puchkors emphasizes that the core of human compassion is understanding others and refraining from judgment. Because of this perspective, I have changed the way I approach patient care. In clinical, she encouraged us to reflect deeply on the lives of the people we were caring for and to consider what circumstances may have led them there. She reminded us that many patients are not making health decisions out of disregard for themselves, but often as a way of coping with difficult circumstances. This perspective makes you reflect on how you might act if you were in a similar situation.
Professor Puchkors was a fantastic clinical professor who not only taught us important techniques in all areas of nursing but also led by example. There was a patient who was escalating, and she wasted no time making sure her students were safe, then helped the staff with de-escalation, even though that was not her job. She made sure we knew that we could always go to her if we needed guidance
Her encouragement of self-reflection helps students develop deeper empathy and approach patients without judgment, ultimately shaping more compassionate nurses entering the workforce. Dr. Puchkors also demonstrates exceptional cultural competency. Through her mission work in Vietnam, Guatemala, and other communities, she has developed a deep respect for different cultures and approaches each experience as a learner, striving to provide care that aligns with a patient’s cultural values. She truly leads by example, and her respect for others naturally influences those around her.
Beyond being an outstanding instructor who supports students academically, Dr. Puchkors also cares deeply for our emotional well-being. There have been times when I felt stressed, overwhelmed, or uncertain about the future, and she always took the time to recognize my peers and me as people with complex lives, not just students. By creating space for those conversations and encouraging reflection, she has helped me become both a better student and a more thoughtful future nurse.
Dr. Puchkors also emphasizes the importance of self-care starting in nursing school. By encouraging us to check in with our emotions and take time for ourselves, she equips her students with the tools to manage the emotional demands of our future careers. Her guidance reminds us that caring for ourselves allows us to continue caring deeply for our patients without becoming burned out.
As my professor, she entertained my many, many questions and answered them with a smile. She is truly dedicated to her job as an educator, nurse, and role model. She takes the time to truly know her students and encourages us to nurture our passions and lives outside of school. Her compassion, wisdom, and commitment to shaping thoughtful, empathetic nurses make her incredibly deserving of the DAISY Award.
***
Her faculty peers share that Dr. Puchkors consistently demonstrates exceptional compassion toward her students and supports her fellow educators in every way she can.
Dr. Puchkors is a fantastic mentor to students. She offers open office hours and tutoring for her students. Most recently, when a student became visibly distressed during a simulation because of the topic's sensitive nature, Dr. Puchkors immediately stepped in to provide support and share her expertise. She consistently emphasizes the importance of self-care to our students, reminding them that caring for themselves is essential to caring for their patients.
She serves as a trusted mentor to many new mental health faculty, always taking the time to help them acclimate to their roles. Since I began my position as coordinator, Dr. Puchkors has been my primary resource for mental health–related questions, offering her guidance with unfailing kindness and professionalism. With many new adjunct faculty members joining our program, Dr. Puchkors went above and beyond by helping set up their Canvas courses. One brand-new professor who was still onboarding at the University did not have access to certain systems. Dr. Puchkors posted the class on her behalf. Later, she helped the professor navigate this process and learn how to use Canvas for the first time.
Dr. Puchkors also regularly fills in for her peers. She conducted a pre-briefing when a faculty member had to substitute for another instructor following the ice storm. Another professor shared how she fills in for her peers during their absences. She also creates content to share with the group.
In addition, Dr. Puchkors had to expand clinical opportunities to accommodate our largest Level 2 cohort this spring. She facilitated the acquisition of clinical sites among the practice partners she knows. It is because of her that we have added 4 mental health clinical sites in Level 2 and have enough places for our students to learn. She also worked to create additional simulation experiences for our students needing them.
All five nominations agree that everything Dr. Puchkors does reflects her compassionate care of both faculty and students at LHSON. She is an unsung hero in Level 2 and supports global education at LHSON. She embodies the values of compassion, mentorship, and excellence, and she is the epitome of a DAISY Nurse Educator Award recipient.