Recognizing the Winners of 2020’s DAISY Award for Extraordinary Students

The DAISY Foundation was created in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at 33 of complications to an auto-immune disorder. His family was so touched by the skill, kindness and compassion of his nurses that they decided to create the foundation as a specific way to say “thank you” to outstanding nurses, everywhere. 

Since the DAISY Awards were created in 2016, Chamberlain pre-licensure students and faculty have been recognized as outstanding examples in their field 274 times. 

2021 marks the first year that the foundation is recognizing post-licensure nursing students with The DAISY Award. We had the privilege to speak with two of 2020’s DAISY honorees about their experiences and what The DAISY Award means to them. 

Jayln Williams 

Jayln was nominated by her clinical instructor,  King says, “In Jalyn’s recent clinical Maternal/Infant rotation in her BSN program a dad questioned Jalyn and her preceptor RN if dads can suffer from postpartum depression as he feels that he has symptoms.” The expert preceptor nurse did not know, but Jayln jumped right in and provided education to the family about the overwhelming feelings/thoughts, role changes, and life changing events that the father of the baby experiences during the postpartum period. The patient information she provided to the family was supported by an article in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) from 2019, titled “Dads Can Get Depression During and After Pregnancy, Too.” 

While Jayln says she knew that she had been nominated, she was taken off guard when she found out that she had won a DAISY. “I was shocked! I honestly forgot that I was nominated. I felt proud of myself that I accomplished something this big while in school. 

“I found out about postpartum depression in men during my OB class from my teacher, Professor Clarinda Luat –RN,MSN. I learned that men could experience baby blues and go through various stages of adjusting to their new baby just like women. Men may feel overwhelmed due to role changes and new feelings that come with a baby such as stress, nervousness about fatherhood, etc.   

“In terms of my nursing career, I feel that this award showed me that I can make a difference in someone’s life, it clinically also boosted my confidence, too! I would tell other students that it is an honor to be chosen as a DAISY winner. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, you never know the impact you could have on someone.”   

Tara Taykowski 

Tara Taykowski was nominated for the DAISY Award by fellow Chamberlain University, Arlington student Elizabeth Gillium for her exceptional academic work, “Tara takes her learning and the learning of others very seriously. She has taken time to mentor and assist students to ensure their success. She just handed over the presidency of the Student Nurses Association to a junior. She was a great leader for over a year ensuring that opportunities easily accessible to students. Tara pushes for students to be better and raises the bar for success. She is a wonderful student who will be the most amazing nurse.” 

Tara told us that she did not know she was being nominated for The DAISY Award, but was grateful and felt appreciated for all her hard work when she found out. 

“I attended tutoring in the Center for Academic Success (CAS) from my first nursing course until my last. After completing Adult Health 1, I was asked if I would like to become a peer tutor. Through peer tutoring I was able to strengthen my knowledge in nursing curriculum and thus I was better able to explain different subjects in multiple ways to help students understand topics that can be overwhelming and confusing. It was so rewarding being able to help a struggling student and seeing the light bulb go off that they were able to understand, they just needed a different perspective.   

“I got involved in the Student Nursing Association at the beginning of nursing school as well and became President of our campus' chapter after about a year. I loved the ability to connect with students in all cohorts through tutoring and SNA and it allowed me to enhance my leadership skills and ability to make connections with people from a wide range of backgrounds.   

“Being a Daisy Award winner allows me to glance at my pin while I work and remember that it takes the smallest act to make a big difference. While I received my award for helping students academically, I feel like that spirit of helping others translates to helping my patients. Through my job as a pediatric emergency nurse, I’m able to use those skills I learned tutoring students to explain things simply to first time parents and parents who are scared for their child.   

“I would tell other students to always have integrity and do your best. While it may not always feel like your hard work is being noticed someone is noticing your dedication whether it’s your patients at clinical, your teachers, your peers, or your friends and family.” 

Chamberlain University congratulates Jayln and Tara on their accomplishments. We cannot wait to see who the next DAISY Award winners from Chamberlain will be in 2021. 

Do you know a student or faculty member who you think should be nominated for a DAISY Award? You can learn how to nominate them at: The DAISY Award Foundation.

By Kate Rice