The DAISY Foundation and the signed an agreement in October to promote the global missions of each organization. This will bring greater awareness of the meaningful recognition of nurses who provide extraordinary and compassionate care to patients and families every day. Demonstrating that gratitude for and recognition of nursing care can transcend cultures.

ICN is a federation of more than 130 national nurses’ associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.

“ICN, during its almost 120 years of history, has always strived to improve the well-being and professional recognition of the millions of nurses worldwide and this cooperation with the Daisy Foundation will bolster our efforts,” Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, first vice-president of ICN said in a news release announcing the October agreement. Cipriano also is president of the American Nurses Association. “The DAISY Award is a meaningful recognition that contributes to higher levels of nurse satisfaction and subsequent retention.”

According to its website, ICN, “envisions a world in which human rights are respected and protected including the right of present and future populations to a safe, healthy and sustainable environment.”

Among its many projects is the Girl Child Education Fund, which supports schooling of girls under age 18 in developing countries whose nurse parent or parents have died. Donations to the fund help cover the costs of school fees, uniforms, books and shoes. More than 350 girls have been supported by the GCEF. ICN also supports leadership development for nurses through its ICN Global Nursing Leadership Institute. Participants in the GNLI draw on the expertise of an international expert faculty, which allows them to enhance their national and global leadership skills.

“When we started The DAISY Award 19 years ago, right after our Patrick died, we never imagined that today, our statement of gratitude for nurses’ compassionate care would be a truly international, evidence-based, on-going, recognition program,” said Bonnie Barnes, co-founder and president of the DAISY Foundation.

“During our international travels we have seen that nurses everywhere share a drive to care for people when they are at their most vulnerable," Barnes continued. "We are very excited that soon, thanks to our collaboration with ICN, The DAISY Award will enable even more nurses around the world to appreciate the unforgettable impact they have on patients, their families when we are in their loving hands.” ICN’s promotion and support of nursing excellence and quality care aligns well with the DAISY Foundation’s tenets to recognize and celebrate nurses’ impact on individuals and communities around the world.  “I cannot tell you how incredibly special this DAISY Award has been to me. It may sound crazy but having received this award has made me a better nurse. The sense of pride that I feel when people that I barely know come up to congratulate me and tell me that no one deserves it more, it brings tears to my eyes each time. I take such pride in being a nurse,” said Donna Young, a nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta who was honored with The DAISY Award recently.