Congratulations to Niki Peterson, RN BSN and Trauma Coordinator at the Door County Medical Center (DCMC) Emergency Department for being the recipient of the latest DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day.

Peterson was nominated by a patient for her ability to continually help them feel calm as they faced the anxiety-inducing experience of being admitted to the Emergency Department. When nominating Peterson, the patient stated, "When Niki was there, I knew I would be treated amazingly well—that everything would be taken care of and that I would be alright. The way she interacted with my family and me made an astounding and positive difference with regard to my Emergency Department experience. She kept all of our anxieties in check without even trying, and made sure we were completely taken care of. She made multiple scary and worrying situations SO much easier."

Peterson was totally surprised by the award. "When the entire hospital leadership team came into the Emergency Department, I didn't realize that it was for me—I was speechless—it was totally surreal." She adds, "I've been here for 8 years, and that's not as long as some of the other nurses, so I wasn't sure that I deserved it."

Now that Peterson is an award-winning nurse, she feels honored, "It's a privilege to hold the title. I'm placed alongside all these other nurses that I look up to. We all work hard to provide the best possible care and it's a challenging job! But when your work is recognized, it feels really good."

When we asked Peterson how she is able to help patients and their families navigate the stress of an ER visit, she responded, "When someone is admitted to the ER, it's their worst day, but it's my everyday. Making someone's worst day a little bit better is my goal. Patients come in with a lot of fear and anxiety. I try to find some common ground—I use humor to connect. When I can make people laugh or smile on their worst day it's a big win."

"Door County Medical Center creates a culture of compassion," Peterson says with regard to how DCMC's workplace culture helps her do her best work. "The CEO and the Chief Nursing Officer know my name, and they know what's going on in my life," she explains, adding, "The whole culture is based on, and born from, the values of the Door County Community—we all genuinely care about each other."

For those just getting started in their nursing careers, Peterson has this to offer, "Take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you. There's always a chance to learn more, to share that knowledge with your coworkers and elevate the whole team."

"I need to thank my husband and my children first," Peterson says, "But I also owe a huge thank you to my co-workers in the ER as well as the people in all the ancillary departments that make the whole process of providing care work." She adds, "And, I can't thank the people that nominated me enough. Being there to support the people who come into the Emergency Department is why I became a nurse—having their support as well is so meaningful."

An Award for Extraordinary Nurses

The primary goal of the DAISY Award is to provide on-going recognition of the incredible skill and care that nurses bring to each patient and every family day in, day out.

Each DAISY Award recipient receives:

• The "Extraordinary Nurse" Certificate: recognizing the skill and compassion of that nurse presented in a beautiful portfolio.

• The DAISY Award pin: which can be pinned to a lapel or an I.D. badge.

• Hand-carved Stone Sculpture: A unique, Zimbabwean sculpture, entitled "A Healer's Touch."

• A DAISY Foundation Spotlight Article: which will feature on the DAISY Foundation website, include a photo of the Honoree, and tell the story of why the nurse was honored.

In addition to each individual award, and the recognition that the nurse receives at the award ceremony, DAISY Award recipients are also eligible for numerous benefits and opportunities, including:

• Grants: like the DAISY Medical Mission Grants, the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice (EBP), the Lynne Doll Grants for Dissemination of Findings, and the Health Equity Grants for Research and EBP.

• Reduced American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification Fees: DAISY Honorees are eligible to apply for, or renew, their ANCC certification at a special reduced rate.

• Reduced Tuition: available at Chamberlain University College of Nursing through the DAISY Honoree scholarship.

• Conference Scholarships: Daisy Honorees can apply to the conference of their choice to support professional advancement.

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Nominate a nurse for the DAISY Award today!

The Door County Medical Center DAISY Committee gives out 4 awards each year—every November, February, May and August. The next award will be given this coming August.

DAISY Award Honorees personify Door County Medical Center's remarkable patient experience. "We are so fortunate to have over 200 nurses at DCMC that work tirelessly to care for those in need and touch so many lives through their skill and compassion," says Christa Krause MHA, MSN, RN, CPHQ and DCMC's Chief Nursing Officer. "The DAISY Award," she continues, "is a way for patients, community members and fellow staff to recognize these efforts."

Nurses are nominated for the DAISY Award by anyone in the organization—patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians and staff—who experience, or observe extraordinary and compassionate care being provided by a nurse.

To nominate a nurse who has touched your life or the life of a loved one please click here. To learn more about the DAISY Foundation and the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing, please click here.