The Global Impact of Compassionate Care
"For me, as a nurse, I am always preparing for the unknown."
—St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Nurse
It's always standing room only at the annual symplr-sponsored DAISY Breakfast at the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) National Magnet Conference.
The lucky 450 or so attendees who secured tickets this year in Philadelphia on October 14 heard the riveting story of how St. Jude Children's Research Hospital nurses prepared, evacuated to the U.S., and cared for fragile Ukrainian children and their families, while providing comfort, security, and hope. This amazing team of nurses used compassion and connections to accomplish the feat in a war zone with just days’ notice.
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Nurses honored with DAISY Foundation Team Award
For the past eight years, symplr has been a proud sponsor of the DAISY breakfast, where DAISY Award honorees share their remarkable stories of dedication, passion, and commitment. The St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital honorees received the DAISY Team Award this year, and their fortitude and perseverance were inspiring.
Against the impossible obstacles of wartime destruction, the collapse of the Ukraine healthcare system, and language barriers, an extraordinary group of four newly graduated nurses pulled together to set up a triage clinic in five days to evacuate and stabilize the children. With much uncertainty about the number of children and any other details of their health conditions, the nursing team remained focused on preparing an environment that was calm and safe.
When the convoy arrived, they received 60 patients, accompanied by elderly grandparents or mothers, with most of the able-bodied men staying back to fight in the war. The patients were far from home and families, and the nurses lacked medical supplies and facilities, creating a formidable experience for everyone.
Throughout the highly emotional presentation at the awards ceremony, we also heard from the team of nurses who received the patients in Memphis. They shared a rare, personal view of their thoughts and emotions as they navigated the complexities of the language barrier and lack of medical records while building trust and caring for their young patients.
One nurse shared how she found strength and persevered by continuously recalling: "Remember why you got into this. Remember why it brings you joy. Remember why it brings you happiness. In tough moments, you may have to remind yourself why you do this, and that will help you continue."
Learn more about Magnet Recognition and how symplr can help your health system achieve it.
How the DAISY Foundation honors nurses, nurse leaders
The DAISY Foundation is accustomed to amplifying nurses' heroic acts, large and seemingly small, and its founders recognize from personal experience how an action that uplifts a patient or their family can be meaningful in immeasurable ways. The DAISY Foundation was formed in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33. Patrick's nursing care profoundly touched his family, inspiring them to create a way for families, patients, and co-workers to express gratitude for nurses and nurse leaders who provide extraordinary, compassionate care. Today, there’s a DAISY Award program in more than 5,500 healthcare organizations and nursing schools in all 50 states and in 33 other countries.
We at symplr are proud and humbled to support the DAISY Foundation. We understand the impact meaningful recognition has on nurses and nurse leaders, inspiring them to deliver the compassionate care patients and families depend on during their most challenging times.
We remain committed to supporting the profession of nursing with solutions, technology, and partnerships to enable nurses to be the caregivers they are meant to be. We THANK YOU, extraordinary nurses, for following your "why."
Related content
- Explore symplr
- Explore The DAISY Foundation
- Blog: Making the Magnet Journey symplr with a Healthcare-Specific Enterprise Solution