Pennsylvania Western University Nursing Department has partnered with The DAISY Foundation to offer Nurse Educator and Student Nurse nominations and awards.

DAISY awards have recognized nurses since 1999 and nursing faculty since 2010. Last year, the foundation added the student category and expanded the faculty category to include all nurse educators. PennWest Department of Nursing is accepting nominations to present the first awards this spring.

“We want to recognize the good work that our students and faculty do in the community,” said Kathleen Morouse, associate professor of nursing at PennWest. “PennWest students work in the community and provide compassionate quality care to patients, and PennWest faculty are the ones who help get the students there at every level.”

At PennWest, the nursing degree ladder approach encompasses nursing education from associate degree level through the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Eligibility for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students extends to all levels of student nurses who have the opportunity to exhibit compassionate care with their patients and/or patients’ families. Nominations should cite examples of compassionate care in action.

The Nurse Educator Award recognizes exceptionally skilled and compassionate nursing educators for their pivotal role in shaping the nursing workforce and setting an example for future nurses. To be eligible for the Nurse Educator award, a nominee must be a nurse and be full-time nursing faculty or tenured faculty, part-time faculty or adjunct faculty, or a clinical instructor. Nominations should capture the inspiration and impact of compassionate care on their students' future practice.

Anyone – including fellow students, alumni, colleagues, professors, preceptors, patients or peers – may submit nominations. A committee representing faculty from all PennWest campuses will review the nominations each spring and fall semester.

“Nurses every day go above and beyond to not only provide patients and families with excellence in clinical care, but also compassion,” states The DAISY Foundation website, DAISYfoundation.org. “At The DAISY Foundation, we aim to honor them by showing our profound gratitude for all that they do.”

To nominate a PennWest student nurse or nurse educator, visit Daisy Award Nomination Form.