Nursing alumni receives DAISY award

The DAISY award recognizes, honors and celebrates the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide to patients and their families. Nursing students, faculty, preceptors and other practicing nurses can be nominated for the award. Campbell Nursing Alumni Shelby Ferrara ('23) received a DAISY award this year.

Shelby's Oma, her grandmother, was a nurse and led a life centered on helping others and caring for them with a selfless heart. She inspired Shelby to pursue a degree in nursing. After receiving a degree in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling from East Carolina University, Shelby spent some time developing life and management skills. She later received the opportunity to bring healthcare education to rural villages in India, which ultimately inspired her to return to America and enroll in Campbell's nursing program.

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2024, Shelby found herself on the other side of healthcare. This has allowed her to connect with her patients on a deeper level, and learn how to be a better nurse. As a pediatric hematology and oncology nurse, Shelby cares for children who are battling cancer and other illnesses. "I strive every day to be brave like them!" she shared.

"This award means so much to me during this season of my life, because it symbolizes love. It encompasses the love I have received from patients and their families, from friends and my loved ones, and it represents the love I have been able to pass forward. There is no greater honor than to be loved whole heartedly by the people you love," Shelby concluded.

Campbell nursing instructor Sarah Thompson shared, "The Daisy Award celebrates and recognizes nurses who make a difference in the lives of patients through compassionate care. Shelby was an excellent student nurse, even returning six months after graduation to guest speak about her experiences as a new graduate nurse. Campbell Nursing is proud of Shelby, as she clearly embodies the Campbell mission of living with purpose and providing meaningful service and compassion to all her patients."

Bonnie and Mark Barnes created the DAISY award after Mark's son, Patrick, lost his life to an auto-immune disease. The couple was touched by the nurses who lovingly cared for Patrick. The Barnes family wanted to find a way to say "thank you" to Patrick's care team, so the DAISY award was established to provide meaningful recognition to caring nurses.

Nurses can be nominated by anyone in the organization who experiences or observes extraordinary compassionate care being provided by a nurse. This includes patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians, and staff. According to the organization, "The DAISY Award is an ongoing recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide every day and is active in over 5,000 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing, internationally."