Keiryn Weiss, BSN, RN, CPN, works in the Pediatric Emergency Department at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is one of the latest DAISY Award winners at VUMC.
From the nomination
“I was at the hospital with my son, who wasn’t feeling well, and my other kids were understandably restless and anxious about the whole situation. Juggling their moods and concerns with my son’s care felt like trying to keep too many balls in the air at once. The hospital atmosphere wasn’t helping, with its mix of antiseptic smells and the constant background noise of pages and alerts.
“Just when I was feeling pretty overwhelmed, one of the nurses came over. And she wasn’t like anyone I’d encountered in a situation like this before. There was a genuine warmth about her, and she had this way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room that she wanted to talk to. She squatted down to my kids’ level and started chatting with them like they were the most interesting people she’d met all day. With a few well-chosen words and a smile, she managed to get them to follow her to a quiet corner where she’d set up a small area with coloring books and a box of crayons she’d found somewhere. She then disappeared for a moment and came back with a handful of snacks.
‘Seeing my kids occupied and actually laughing in a hospital setting was such a relief that I could feel a weight lifting off my shoulders. It allowed me to focus on my sick son without worrying about the others for a bit. This nurse didn’t have to go out of her way to make our visit more bearable, but she did. And in doing so, she reminded me that amidst the clinical efficiency of a hospital, there’s room for humanity and kindness. It was a simple gesture, but it made all the difference to us that day.”
About DAISY Awards
The DAISY Award is a recognition for extraordinary nurses who exemplify compassion toward patients and families.
VUMC distributes the award in partnership with The DAISY Foundation, which was formed in 1999 to honor the memory of J. Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old man who died of complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Barnes’ family was moved by the care they received from his nurses and wanted to recognize them to preserve his memory. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
VUMC nurse committees determine the individual recipients. Previous recipients of the DAISY Award are here. The award is open to all licensed nurses, and anyone can nominate — including co-workers, patients and their families. Nominations may be made here.
