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What The DAISY Award Tells Us About International Nurses

Written by Team at PRS Global | Jul 16, 2026 3:21:38 PM

 

Experienced nurses shape what care looks like at the bedside. At Fisher-Titus Medical Center, that showed up in patient nominations, life-saving interventions, and care that made patients feel like family. In this video, Director of Clinical Programs Stacy Daniel shares what that looked like firsthand.

 

Earning Recognition Through Outstanding Care

The DAISY Award is an internationally recognized nursing recognition program, where nominations come directly from patients, visitors, and family members who want to acknowledge the care a nurse provided. It is one of the most meaningful forms of feedback in healthcare, because it comes from the people nurses serve.

At Fisher-Titus, internationally trained nurses have earned those nominations, and the stories behind them are worth hearing.

"As we're getting those nominations in for our international nurses, it really affirms that the care they're providing is outstanding." β€” Stacy Daniel, Director of Clinical Programs, Fisher-Titus Medical Center

Those nominations reflect something meaningful. Research on recognition programs like The DAISY Award finds that when nurses feel genuinely seen for the care they provide, it strengthens engagement, supports healthier work environments, and improves the experience for patients and families alike.1

Recognizing Critical Health Concerns Early

Strong clinical judgment can make a significant difference in patient outcomes. In one example shared in the video, an internationally trained nurse recognized the early signs of a stroke and helped ensure the patient received timely care. This is the kind of intervention where experience matters most.

These moments may not always be visible beyond the care team, but they represent the expertise and vigilance that experienced nurses bring every day.

Creating Meaningful Patient Experiences

Patients remember how they were treated during difficult moments, not just the clinical care they received. When internationally trained nurses consistently earn recognition for compassionate, attentive care, it affirms that the human side of nursing shapes outcomes just as meaningfully as the clinical side.

Supporting Organizational Excellence

Exceptional patient care ripples outward. When nurses feel connected, supported, and recognized, that shows up in how units function, how teams collaborate, and how patients experience care across the organization.

This is what it looks like when internationally educated nurses are welcomed well and supported well. The value shows up in the work and in the patients who experience it.

Watch the Full Series.

This video is one of seven in PRS Global's Viewpoint series, each one a different perspective on what international direct hire looks like when it's done well.

 

 

If your organization is exploring what a well-supported international direct hire program could look like, PRS Global can help you think through what it takes to build one that works for nurses and healthcare teams over the long term.

Reference

  1. Swartout, Ellen. β€œThe DAISY Award: Meaningful Recognition's Impact on Patients, Nurses, and Organizations.” PubMed, Jul. 2024, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39016605/