Nurse at Cook Children's - Prosper Becomes First Recipient of DAISY Award
By Kaley Johnson
A nurse at Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper has become the facility’s first recipient of the DAISY Award, which is bestowed by a worldwide organization for extraordinary care in nursing. 
On Nov. 14, a team of nurses at Prosper gathered around as Sheralyn Hartline, AVP of Nursing and Patient Care, presented the award.
Hartline read aloud the nomination, which was sent in by a patient’s parent.
“Care was exceptional. Not only did this nurse do an amazing job the last visit, but she continued to be amazing during our recent stay. She connected with my daughter on a personal level and made her feel comfortable and safe from the very start of our experience,” Hartline read.
Hartline announced that the award winner was Haley Nelson, RN, a Med/Surg nurse. The nomination letter said Nelson got to know the patient’s personality as well as her illness, included her in the care plan and kept the parent informed and answered all her questions.
“This nurse took amazing care of my daughter,” Hartline said.
Nelson wiped her eyes as she accepted the certificate. Recipients of the Daisy Award receive a copy of their nomination, an Honoree pin, an Award certificate, a Healer’s Touch sculpture, a banner to hang in their unit and cinnamon rolls. The nominations are sent to an internal committee who do not know the names or detailed information about the nominees.
“It's just a great program and we’re excited to have it here in Prosper,” Hartline said.
The DAISY foundation began in 1999 in honor of Patrick Barnes, who was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. While he and his family spent eight weeks in the hospital, “the nurses helped the family through the darkest hours of their lives.” The award has grown into a nationwide honor.
The award is a way to show nurses that the work they do matters and that they are supported and appreciated, Hartline said. 
At first, Nelson said she was nervous about the team gathering because she did not know what it was about. About halfway through reading the nomination, she was shocked to realize that the award was for her.
“I’ve been a nurse for a very long time and this is the first time I’ve gotten an amazing recognition,” Nelson said.
Nelson’s experience raising four children as a single parent helps her relate to parents who are going through a challenging time. While some nurses might feel burnt out as they get older, Nelson said she feels herself growing more passionate as time goes on. Growing up, she always wanted to be a nurse and always took care of those around her. Her experiences -- and receiving the DAISY award -- reaffirm that she is exactly where she is supposed to be.
“We send (patients and patients’ families) home with paperwork and bags and follow-up appointments and prescriptions and all of the things and to think that (the patient’s mother) went home and thought to write and say that I was doing a good job -- that says a lot,” Nelson said. “It’s really special.”
Hartline said that Nelson is a wonderful nurse; she is always helpful, kind and puts patients and families first. As the DAISY Award nominations continue, she is excited to continue to recognize the compassion and dedication that Prosper’s nurses bring to patients and their families every day.
“We are fortunate to have our talented nurses here in Prosper,” said Kelley Ruther, senior secretary for nursing administration. “They are caring and collaborative in their approach. We have so many to recognize and we can’t wait to see who receives it next.”
