Nursing excellence knows no boundaries

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Jennifer Mensik, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, is division director of care management at Oregon Health and Science University and instructor for Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation DNP program. She also is treasurer for the American Nurses Association. Formerly, Mensik was vice president of CE programming for Nurse.com published by OnCourse Learning. A second-edition book she authored, "The Nurse Manager's Guide to Innovative Staffing," won third place in the leadership category for the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Awards 2017.

Nurses around the world view nurses in the U.S. as leaders in our profession. Nurses lead the way in many aspects of education, research, innovation and more. Additionally, nurse recognition programs such as Magnet and DAISY have found their way around the globe. Nurses need to be recognized in all countries, as compassionate care knows no boundaries.

Nurses lead the way in many aspects of education, research, innovation and more. Additionally, nurse recognition programs such as Magnet and DAISY have found their way around the globe. Nurses need to be recognized in all countries, as compassionate care knows no boundaries.

I have had multiple experiences with the DAISY Award® program. I have been on the unit when a nurse was presented the award. I worked with another nurse leader whose husband built her facility’s DAISY Award cart. And I have attended the DAISY breakfast at the Magnet conference, where some amazing stories were told. The DAISY Award recognizes all the amazing things nurses do, and best of all, helps nurses realize that their ordinary is extraordinary.

Since The DAISY Foundation was founded in 1999 and the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses was piloted at the University of Washington Medical Center's Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the DAISY Award program has expanded to more than 3,400 healthcare facilities in all 50 states and in 19 other countries. The first program outside the U.S. started in a Canadian facility in 2008. Then in 2010, both Saudi Arabia and Lebanon had facilities start the program, followed by Taiwan in 2011. The foundation now has 64 international partners, and 19 others are interested in starting the program.

DAISY’s international partners

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Many of our international colleagues became aware of the DAISY Award through conferences and partnerships as well as via foreign leadership visits to U.S. healthcare organizations. During many facility visits, leaders have asked what DAISY is, and the answers they get from U.S. nurses prompts them to launch their own journeys toward the award once they return home. Leadership participation in international programs is outstanding, many times with multiple nursing and non-nursing leaders attending the presentation of the award.

There are some slight differences between U.S. DAISY programs and international programs. For instance, in the U.S., the award frequently is given in the unit, while more international facilities choose to present their awards in a large venue. Another notable change is the DAISY used in the pin, materials and banner in China. The flower was changed from the white daisy to red Gerbera daisy. Culturally, white signifies death in China, whereas red is the color for celebrations. And the DAISY Award is a celebration!

Compassion comes across regardless of the country or culture. Patients and families around the world want the opportunity to say thank you to their nurse. What the DAISY Award says to me the most is that compassionate care is like a smile. It is a universal language.

Even though I have a PhD in nursing, I feel it is important to walk the talk and be certified in my nursing specialty of nursing leadership (NEA-BC, which is the ANCC certification Nursing Executive Advance, Board Certified). How can I tell others to become certified if I’m not myself? Learning is a lifelong process for all of us. Like other nurses, I need to obtain continuing education credits to maintain my certification, and I learn something new all the time. You might be wondering, which you should get first, a degree or certification? The 2011 Penn Nursing study found that certification did not statistically improve patient outcomes unless the RN also had a bachelor’s degree. At the same time, pursuing your certification first might help you get started on your educational path. Programs such as Magnet set a high bar for hospitals, but also provide a great roadmap for nurses in their educational journey. Do what you believe is right for you, but remember, education, formal or informal, is a lifelong journey for all of us.

Compassion knows no boundaries for DAISY’s international partners

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Belgium Brazil Canada China

Ireland Jordan Lebanon Mexico Namibia Oman Philippines Qatar Saudi Arabia

Sweden Taiwan Thailand United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Vietnam

DAISY's international appeal continues to grow