The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening—wherever you are joining us from today. Welcome to Onwards and Upwards, the show where you learn everything you need to know about living and working in the United States as a healthcare professional. 

My name is Deirdre O’Regan, and I am your host for today. We are trying out some different backgrounds, and it’s stormy here today, so please excuse if it’s a little dark—but that’s not what we’re here for, so we’ll just get on with it. 

I am very excited to be hosting today’s show because it is all about our amazing RNs. And let me start by saying Happy Nurses Month to each and every one of you listening in today. 

I am honored to have an amazing panel of guests with us who will talk all about one of the most prestigious recognitions and Awards an RN can receive in their career—the DAISY Awards. We are really excited to learn more about it. We also have two DAISY Awards recipients who will share their nomination stories, how it felt to receive this prestigious Awards, and what it means to them. In addition, we are joined by one of the co-founders of the organization behind the Awards, who will share more about how it was established. 

Before we bring out our panel, we’d love to hear where you are joining us from—so please pop your location into the chat. I can see Anthony is watching from Saudi Arabia. Welcome, Anthony—we’re so glad you could join us today. Please continue sharing throughout the show. 

We would also love to celebrate you: if you have ever been nominated for or have received a DAISY Awards, please let us know in the chat. We want to celebrate you live. Even if you are not on today’s show, your recognition is just as meaningful and worth celebrating. So don’t be shy—share your story with us. 

This is our Onwards and Upwards show, hosted by AMN International, the only organization that offers both direct hire and staffing opportunities. If you haven’t applied yet, you can do so today. We will share the link during the show: AMNhealthcare.com/international. We would be delighted to support you in your next steps toward achieving your American dream. And who knows—this time next year, you could be joining us on the show celebrating your own success. 

Without further ado, let’s bring in our panel. We are joined today by: 

• Bonnie Barnes, Co-founder of the DAISY Foundation. We were fortunate to have Bonnie with us this time last year to kick off Nurses Month, and we are thrilled she could join us again today. Welcome, Bonnie.  

• Dr. Melani Bell, a DAISY Awards recipient, who will share her experience. Thank you for joining us today, Melani.  

• Mercy Benshetler, one of my esteemed colleagues, who will talk about AMN’s partnership with the DAISY Foundation.  

• And last but not least, Cherlita one of our international nurses and a DAISY Awards winner. We are so excited to hear all of your stories.  

Without further ado, I will ask each of our panelists to briefly introduce themselves, and then we will get into our prepared discussion. Most importantly, please feel free to drop your questions in the chat for any of our panelists, and we will get to as many as we can. 

Let’s start with Bonnie—Bonnie, could you please introduce yourself to our audience? 

Well, Deirdre, thank you so much for welcoming me. You just did a great job. I am Bonnie Barnes, and I am one of the co-founders of the DAISY Foundation. 

Thank you. 

Oh yes, we are going to get into all of the amazing work that the foundation does as we go through the show, so that is perfect. 

Melani, would you like to introduce yourself to our audience? 

Sure. Good morning, everyone. I am Dr. Bell, and I am a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience now. I started my career in the Washington, D.C. area, and I have also done some travel nursing. I received this Awards while on a travel assignment in the Bronx, New York City, and I am just grateful that I was able to help my patients and their families. Thank you so much for this recognition. 

Thank you so much, Melani, and congratulations on your Awards. 

Mercy, over to you. 

Hi, I’m Mercy Benshetler, and I’m the Community and Engagement Manager here at AMN Healthcare. 

Thank you so much, Mercy. 

And last but not least, we have Cherlita, one of our international nurses who came through O’Grady Peyton. Welcome, and thank you for being here. 

Hi, thank you for having me. My name is Cherlita. I am an international nurse from Virginia, and I have been a nurse for almost 16 years now. Thank you for having me here. Good morning, everyone. 

Thank you, Cherlita. And I just want to thank our panel for taking the time to share their stories with us today. This show that we hosted last year was one of our most viewed, and I think that really speaks to what the DAISY Foundation means to all of you. We are very excited to learn more about it and how we can support more nurses in getting nominated for, or receiving, the DAISY Awards. 

And just a reminder—if you are listening in today and you have been nominated for or have received a DAISY Awards, we would love to recognize you, so please pop it into the chat. 

We are going to start with Melani. Melani, can you tell us a little bit about the facility where you are currently working? 

Thank you, Cherlita. I love that you shared how every patient is a VIP, and I can see how you became a DAISY Awards recipient just from that mindset. Thank you for sharing your experience. 

Now, Cherlita, talk to us a little about the facility where you currently work. You are one of our international nurses—what an amazing achievement. 

Hi, I’m currently working at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. It is located in Alexandria, Virginia, in Northern Virginia. Inova has a total of about 50 locations across Virginia. There are five major hospitals, and I am working at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. If I’m not mistaken, it has a capacity of almost 293 beds, and the main hospital is Inova Fairfax, which has nearly 900 beds. 

I work in the behavioral health unit. Although it is a smaller unit within Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, this behavioral unit plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive mental health care. I am proud to be part of this dedicated team. 

Thank you, Cherlita, and we are very proud that you are part of the AMN International family. 

Now, Bonnie, I’d like to ask you: how did the DAISY Foundation begin, and what inspired it? 

Well, it’s now 26 years ago that my stepson, Patrick, died of complications from the autoimmune disease ITP. He was in the hospital for eight weeks, and my husband Mark and I were blessed to be able to stay with him day and night throughout that time. 

When Patrick died, after a very difficult and heartbreaking experience, we sat together as a family and talked about how we could keep his very special spirit alive. We also asked ourselves what we could do to bring ourselves out of the very dark place we had been in for those two months in the hospital. 

As we reflected, we found ourselves thinking deeply about the care Patrick received from his nurses. We expected them to be excellent clinically—and of course, they were—but we never expected the level of compassion they showed Patrick and our family. The way they cared for him, and for us, went far beyond what we imagined. 

When he passed away, our hearts were filled with gratitude. We wanted a way to say thank you, and to honor that experience. So, we created the DAISY Foundation and the DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nurses, because we believed other families would also want a way to recognize extraordinary compassionate care. 

Today, there are more than 8,000 healthcare facilities, organizations, and nursing schools in 47 countries honoring nurses with the DAISY Awards. And the number we are most proud of is this: more than 3.8 million times, a patient, family member, or coworker has taken the time to share their gratitude for a nurse—telling their story and saying thank you for the care that made such a difference. 

That is what inspired the DAISY Awards. 

Thank you, Bonnie. The DAISY Awards is now recognized in 47 countries around the world, which is truly amazing. We’re excited to hear more about it. And every time I hear your story, it just remains incredibly moving. It is a beautiful testament to your stepson, Patrick, and we really appreciate you sharing it again with our audience. I know it’s not easy, so thank you so much. 

We also have a lot of congratulations coming in for our DAISY Awards winners in the chat. Lizzy said “congratulations,” and we have many more messages coming through. I just wanted to take a moment to recognize that—congratulations to all of you. 

Mercy, I’ll come over to you. Why did AMN choose to partner with the DAISY Foundation? 

The DAISY Foundation is a globally renowned organization that recognizes compassionate nurses. As we continue to think about how to enable and support a sustainable healthcare workforce, it is important that healthcare professionals feel valued and are able to keep their passion alive and their cups full. 

But it’s not only about the workforce—we are also focused on patients, families, and communities here at home, as well as those in remote parts of the world who may not otherwise have access to care unless someone makes an extraordinary effort to reach them. 

Our partnership with the DAISY Foundation began with recognition, but it has expanded far beyond that. In 2024, AMN committed to a $75,000 investment over three years to support the Mission Program—a grant fund built on the belief that cost should never be the reason a nurse cannot answer the call to serve on a medical mission trip. 

The impact has been extraordinary: 28 mission grants Awardsed, nearly $40,000 distributed, support across 14 countries, and approximately 20,000 patients impacted. From Honduras to the Philippines and many other locations, these are communities where patients may not expect to see a nurse or doctor at all. Removing financial barriers allows nurses to serve where they are most needed, supporting both the communities and the nurses themselves. 

Thank you so much, Mercy. Those are powerful numbers, but as you said, it’s really about the impact behind them that matters most. 

Melani, I’ll come back to you. When did you first become familiar with the DAISY Awards, and what did it mean to you to be a recipient? 

I first learned about the DAISY Awards a few years ago when my mentee received it. I would like to thank the DAISY Foundation for that inspiration. I later learned that I had been nominated when a patient’s family sent an email to both myself and my director, Rainey Springsteen. 

It was very heartwarming. It meant a great deal to me and showed that my actions, care, and compassion did not go unnoticed, and that I was able to help a patient and their family during a very difficult time. 

Thank you so much, Melani. 

And Cherlita, let’s talk about your nomination and receiving the DAISY Awards. What did that experience mean to you, and how did you first find out you had been nominated? 

I first learned about the DAISY Awards through my agency, O’Grady Peyton. They sent me an email informing me that I had been nominated. I did not even know I had been nominated, so it was a complete surprise. 

It is very meaningful because it recognizes compassionate, patient-centered care. Being nominated was incredibly humbling, and receiving the Awards is a true honor as a nurse. 

And there you are receiving your Awards—I love that smile. Thank you for sharing those photos with us, Cherlita, and congratulations once again to both of you. 

Bonnie, can you talk us through the nomination process? Who can nominate nurses for a DAISY Awards, and what does that process look like? 

Well, in our view, anyone can nominate someone for the DAISY Awards. It can be a patient, a family member, a co-worker, a physician, or anyone within the organization where the DAISY Awards is honoring nurses. So it is truly widespread. 

But the important thing—and I think Cherlita really highlighted this, and so did Melani—is that it is about compassionate care. It is about the story behind the action, what a nurse has done that has made a real difference. That is what compels people to write nominations, and it is also what helps those nominations stand out. It is the story of compassion that comes through in these emotional, heartfelt statements about the impact a nurse has had. 

I love that. And yes, it is the physical Awards you receive, but one of my favorite things working at AMN International is seeing our clinicians receive DAISY Awardss and reading the nominations that come with them—the story behind the Awards. That is what is truly heartwarming. 

It is wonderful to have the physical Awards to keep forever, but it is often the nomination itself that really resonates and stays with people. Cherlita showed us not only her Awards but also her nomination, and I am sure that is something both of you will treasure forever. 

Mercy, what does AMN look for in a DAISY nominee? 

Thank you—and sorry, I was on mute. 

I can give you the key points of what we are looking for. A DAISY nominee demonstrates extraordinary kindness and compassion toward patients and families, contributes to a healthy work environment, improves the patient experience, introduces new ideas, inspires others, and provides motivation. 

But personally, I also want to share something meaningful. Having been the designated medical decision-maker for both my mother and my sister during hospitalizations, I experienced some of the most vulnerable moments a person can face. In those moments, a compassionate nurse means everything. 

We are living in a time where many people are experiencing a loneliness epidemic, and in healthcare especially, no one should feel alone. That human connection with patients truly matters. Beyond all the extraordinary clinical work, it is that ability to connect on a human level that makes the biggest difference. 

Thank you so much, Mercy, for sharing that. You do such an incredible job supporting so many of our initiatives with care and dedication, and we really appreciate your passion and commitment to our clinicians. 

Now we’re going to move to a question for both Melani and Cherlita. We want to hear about your Awards ceremony experience. Was it a surprise, and who was there to celebrate with you? Melani, I’ll start with you. 

In my case, I didn’t actually have a formal Awards ceremony. So thank you to everyone here—this is my ceremony today, and you are all my people. 

My recruiter, Tina Alano from AMN, has been amazing. I was able to meet her in person when I traveled to Las Vegas for a vacation, and she actually lives there. We met, and that was a really special moment as well. 

So I am very happy to be celebrating with all of you today. Thank you. 

How fortunate are we to be part of your DAISY Awards ceremony—not just here with the five of us, but globally. We have people joining from all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Kenya, the Philippines, and many more. We are truly honored to celebrate you, and congratulations again. 

Cherlita, let’s talk about your ceremony. Did you have one, or was your experience similar? 

I also did not have a formal ceremony because O’Grady Peyton was the one who received the Awards on my behalf and then sent it to me via email. 

The moment my family received the package, my husband and son opened it. They didn’t know what was inside because it was quite heavy. They waited for me to come home, and when we opened it together, they were so excited. They told me, “You are not just nominated—you are an Awardsee.” 

After that, I called my father in the Philippines to share the news. I also informed my friends and my director at Inova, and they even shared it in the nurses’ group chat. Everyone was very happy and supportive. One of my friends even posted it on Lifora, a nursing group, and many of my colleagues—some of whom I don’t even personally know—congratulated me. It made me feel really proud and grateful. 

Thank you, Cherlita. So you were recognized at your facility through a large group chat, and also publicly on social media. That must have been such a meaningful experience for you. 

I also want to encourage both of you to do something special for yourselves to celebrate this incredible achievement—you both deserve it. 

We lost Cherlita’s video for a moment, but that’s okay. We are live, and these things happen. We just roll with it. 

Mercy, there’s a question in the chat from Jude. Jude is asking about the selection process for the DAISY Awards. They work at Stanford Health, are celebrating two years this month—congratulations, Jude—and they’ve been nominated several times but haven’t been selected yet. I’m sure it’s still an incredible honor to be nominated, but could you share maybe the top two things about the selection process? I think Jude is really focused on becoming a DAISY Awards winner. 

Of course. The nomination process is quite extensive because there are many nominations that come in. Ultimately, it depends on the strength and detail of each submission. The more detailed and specific the nomination is, the better it helps the selection process. 

And congratulations to you, Jude, on being nominated multiple times—that in itself is a huge recognition. 

I also want to acknowledge that I know it can be difficult to go through the process several times without receiving the Awards, but please know that you are still being seen and recognized. We truly hope that one day it will come to fruition for you. 

Thank you, Mercy. And again, congratulations to Jude. Being nominated for a DAISY Awards is a very significant honor. There are many nurses who do incredible work but are never nominated at all. 

We often say, “Not all heroes wear capes,” and that certainly applies to all of you. This is a great month not only to recognize nurses, but to celebrate you year-round. But especially this month—it is your month. So thank you, Jude, for your question, and congratulations again. 

Bonnie, what makes the AMN DAISY program different from others in the country? 

Well, we’ve just heard about two wonderful honorees who, unfortunately, didn’t get to experience a traditional DAISY celebration among their peers. I sometimes call it a “DAISY in a box”—where the Awards is sent to them and they experience the recognition differently, rather than in a live ceremony. 

I loved hearing that Cherlita’s family was there to celebrate with her, and that she was able to call her family in the Philippines to share the news as well. That is one of the ways this program is unique—because honorees and nominees are truly global, and not everyone experiences a traditional in-person celebration. 

But another thing I want to highlight—especially after Mercy’s comments—is the heart behind this partnership. What it means to receive care from an extraordinary, compassionate nurse during some of the most vulnerable moments in life cannot be overstated. In those moments, people feel very alone, and decision-making becomes incredibly difficult. 

Mercy spoke so eloquently about that human connection, and I was deeply moved by her words. AMN, as a company, has tremendous heart. They ensure that nurses are supported not only with their skills and expertise, but also in practicing with compassion and humanity. 

They elevate the importance of compassionate care and that human connection Mercy described so beautifully. That is what makes this partnership so special. 

Thank you, Bonnie. Cherlita, you mentioned earlier how your husband and son were there to celebrate your Awards with you. What made your DAISY story or nomination so special, and how does it reflect your journey as an international nurse here in the United States? 

My DAISY story is especially meaningful because it reflects my journey as an international nurse adapting to a new environment here in the U.S. I have been a nurse for 16 years, and I have worked in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and other countries, but I had never received a nomination or Awards like this before. 

Being recognized as a DAISY Awards recipient in my unit—where I am only the second person to receive it—makes me feel incredibly special and blessed. It highlights the dedication and care I provide to my patients, especially in a behavioral health setting. 

It is not easy working in behavioral health, but I was able to do it with the support of my patients and colleagues. I am very grateful for that. 

Thank you, Cherlita. You bring a wealth of global experience, and we appreciate you bringing that expertise here to the United States. Congratulations again. 

Melani, what was special about your nomination? I know you also mentioned earlier that one of your mentees received a DAISY Awards, which is a testament to your mentorship as well—so congratulations on both. But what stood out most about your nomination? 

What made my nomination special is that I am a contractor with AMN, and as a contractor, you are not always recognized in the same way because you are sometimes seen as “external staff.” 

What I appreciated most was that my employment status was overlooked, and instead, the focus was on the care I provided and how I contributed to the organization and the patients. That meant a great deal to me. 

Thank you very, very much, and thank you for being one of our esteemed travel RNs. You do such a wonderful job, and to be nominated for and win a DAISY Award is a huge testament to your expertise, compassion, and commitment to excellent patient care. So thank you so much. 

Bonnie, I’m going to come back to you and switch gears a little bit. 

Yes, can you talk to us about AMN’s mission work and how it has impacted or supported the DAISY Foundation? What does it mean for the future of DAISY? 

Deirdre, before I address the missions, I just want to say—Dr. Bell, your comment about feeling included through the DAISY Award is really powerful. To me, it speaks not only to the sense of inclusion AMN fosters for everyone it touches, but also to the integrity of the DAISY Award process at AMN. 

Your nomination is blinded, and selection is based purely on the story written about you, without knowing your identity. I think that is very meaningful, and I just wanted to make sure you knew that. 

Thank you. 

Years ago, my husband and I began receiving emails from DAISY honorees asking for support to help them go on medical mission trips. We learned that nurses often travel on mission trips around the world, bringing their expertise and compassion to underserved communities—but they are responsible for funding their own travel. 

At the time, we didn’t realize that. So my husband Mark and I started personally writing checks to support these trips. Eventually, we brought this to our board of directors and decided it was important to formally support DAISY honorees in this way. 

That is how the medical mission grant program began—so nurses could take their care to places that truly need it. We have been thrilled to see how many nurses want to serve in this way. 

As Mercy so eloquently mentioned earlier, many of these communities are not used to receiving care. They are often surprised when care arrives—but they receive real expertise and compassionate service from the teams who travel there specifically to help. 

That is why we created the mission grant program. The alignment with AMN, with its global spirit, is what makes this partnership so special. We are truly thrilled about it. 

Thank you so much, Bonnie. 

If we can briefly show the impact again—while these are numbers, what matters most is the impact behind them: 

• 28 mission grants awarded  

• Nearly $40,000 distributed  

• Across 14 countries  

• Impacting approximately 20,000 patients  

These are just numbers on paper, but the real value is in the lives changed. 

Mercy, is there anything new we can expect from the AMN–DAISY partnership this year? 

Yes. We are continuing our three-year commitment to the mission program, and we are very excited about it. The partnership continues to elevate and recognize nurses who step forward to serve and answer the call to provide care in vulnerable communities. 

We are constantly inspired by the impact these nurses make—not only in the communities they serve, but also within the broader healthcare workforce. We are committed to supporting both. 

We are also focused on continuing to recognize DAISY Award recipients, like we did today. Even if there isn’t a physical stage or ceremony, we want to make sure your recognition is visible—through social media, podcasts, and other platforms—so your stories and impact are shared widely. 

In addition, we are partnering on educational seminars externally and with our internal teams, and we are working to increase the number of DAISY Award recognitions we present each quarter. 

Overall, we are continuing to expand the partnership and deepen the impact we hope to make together. 

Thank you. Cherlita, international nurses choose to come to the U.S. to practice for a number of different reasons. Can you talk to us a little bit about what you would say to a fellow international nurse, and about the support you received from AMN in terms of professional recognition? 

We may have lost Cherlita again—I can see she’s actually at work, so we might come back to her. 

Melani, how did receiving the DAISY Award change your view of nursing? I know you were already an exceptional nurse, but did it shift anything in how you see your role? 

It hasn’t really changed my view of being a nurse. Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve been a nurse for 25 years, and interestingly, since 2011 I’ve received an award almost every year. So this DAISY Award feels like the icing on the cake. I honestly couldn’t believe it when I received it. 

I was sharing it recently with one of my directors at another place of employment, and she said, “Do you know how hard it is to receive a DAISY Award?” I didn’t even realize how competitive and meaningful the selection process is. 

I am just grateful, and it reinforces for me the importance of continuing to be my authentic self in every environment. Everyone deserves to be treated with care, compassion, dignity, and respect. 

Absolutely. Thank you so much. And how incredible that you have received recognition consistently throughout your nursing career—and now a DAISY Award as well. You described it perfectly as “the icing on the cake,” and we are truly fortunate to be able to celebrate that with you and share it with a global audience. 

Cherlita, welcome back. I think you may be at work, so thank you again for taking the time to join us. We really appreciate it. 

For international nurses who are listening today and may be interested in coming to the U.S. to practice, or who want to understand how they might be nominated for a DAISY Award, can you talk a little bit about the support you received from AMN in terms of professional recognition? 

Yes. AMN has been very supportive. Even though I am an international nurse, I never feel like I am alone or different—they are always there for me. They regularly check in with me, asking how I am and how my assignment is going, and if I need anything. 

Whenever I receive recognition at work, they also send a token of appreciation. I really value that. I remember one time they sent me flowers and a small candle. When I received it, I was wondering who sent it, and when I read the note, it said it was to congratulate me for being nominated at my institution. 

It was very overwhelming in a good way. I felt so appreciated and valued. It showed me that they truly care for us and support us. 

I really can’t thank them enough for that support. 

Thank you, Cherlita. I really appreciate that, and congratulations again. 

Bonnie, I know we’ve already talked about the nomination process, but what does the DAISY Award look for in an international nurse? Is the nomination process the same globally, and what do you look for in an international DAISY Award winner? 

It has become very clear to us that what we often call “universality” is really globality. Nurses are nurses everywhere. While there may be differences in scope of practice—for example, in some places nurses may or may not use certain tools like stethoscopes—the essence of nursing remains the same. 

What is universal is the compassionate care, the human connection, and the meaningful interactions nurses have with patients and families. That is what Mercy referred to earlier, and that is what truly transcends borders. 

So what we look for are those small but powerful moments that nurses create—the things they do that make a real difference in someone’s life, as well as the life-saving care they provide. But honestly, we often expect that clinical excellence. What really stands out is the compassion behind it. 

Mark and I have had the privilege of traveling around the world and witnessing DAISY Awards in many different countries. While the celebrations may look different—for example, in Saudi Arabia there are often yellow, green, and white balloons everywhere when we visit—it is always the same at its core. The stories are about compassionate care, meaningful impact, and life-changing moments. 

Thank you so much, Bonnie. And while I’m not sure if you’ve visited all 47 countries, it is truly an incredible achievement to have this award recognized globally. 

I can see many comments coming in asking, “How do I get nominated?” and “How do I win?” You’ve heard Melani’s story and Cherlita’s story. It really comes down to those nominations and simply continuing the work you already do every day. Not all heroes wear capes—but all of you do. 

It is a tremendous honor to be recognized, but it’s important to remember that every one of you is already recognized in the care you provide at the bedside, both in the U.S. and internationally. 

Bonnie, I’m sorry to interrupt, but there is a specific question in the chat: “Can you self-nominate?” I want to make sure we address that, because it ties into the integrity of the program. 

The answer is no. The DAISY Award is not self-nominated. It is based on recognition and gratitude from patients, families, colleagues, and healthcare teams. Self-nomination would take away from that core principle. This program is built on gratitude at its heart. 

Thank you so much, Bonnie, and thank you for catching that question. I appreciate it—it was a bit further down in the chat. Hopefully that clarifies it for everyone: nominations come from patients, families, and colleagues. 

Mercy, final question for you. How will AMN continue to support DAISY Award recipients and the global nursing community moving forward? 

Yes, and we have already spoken quite a bit about this in terms of our ongoing commitment to recognition programs and the mission grant initiative, which we are continuing to support and expand. 

I also want to highlight something important that Bonnie mentioned—the role of gratitude. There are moments when nurses provide care in such vulnerable situations that patients or families may not even think to submit a nomination, but that does not mean the impact isn’t deeply felt. Gratitude still exists, even when it isn’t formally expressed. 

We also want to recognize that AMN supports many different types of clinicians across various settings and countries. Many of our professionals move between states, communities, and even countries, and we want to ensure that recognition is accessible to all of them. 

We remain committed to honoring nurses not only in their workplaces but also in their local and global communities. 

One nurse who participated in a mission program shared that the experience renewed her energy, strengthened her purpose, and deepened her commitment to her patients. That is what sustainable healthcare truly looks like—reconnecting with purpose so you can continue showing up fully for others. 

We are very excited to continue this partnership and expand both recognition and mission-based opportunities moving forward. 

Thank you so much, Mercy. I completely agree with Bonnie and truly appreciate your passion and dedication to what you do every day. We at AMN International, and the global community you support, are very grateful for your work. 

Melani, what advice would you give to any RN listening today who hopes to be nominated for a DAISY Award? 

I would say: stay positive. Going above and beyond should be your standard, not the exception. I often hear people say, “I go above and beyond,” but I believe that is simply how we should treat every patient. 

Love what you do, and stay authentic—because authenticity always wins. 
Thank you. I love that—“love what you do, and authenticity wins every time.” So if you take anything away from today’s session, that is great advice if you are hoping to be nominated for a DAISY Award. 

And Cherlita, final question for you: what advice would you give to an international RN who may be listening today and thinking about coming to the United States to practice? What advice would you give to help them get started? I know it can be a long process. What kind of support did you receive from AMN in your journey, and what advice would you give to someone who is considering that next big step? 

Okay. My advice is to focus on providing exceptional care, especially in moments when no one is watching. Compassion and dedication are at the heart of the DAISY Award. Being truly present for your patients can make a real difference in their lives. 

And also, don’t forget that AMN is here to support you all the way. 

Thank you, Cherlita. I think what I heard you say is: provide excellent care, especially when no one is watching. So I think we have two great pieces of advice here—Melani’s “love what you do and be authentic,” and Cherlita’s “provide excellent care even when no one is watching.” 

If you are interested in being nominated for a DAISY Award, those are powerful takeaways from our two amazing awardees today. We look forward to celebrating more of you in future shows. 

Bonnie, I’m going to ask you one final question: how do organizations and individuals get involved with the DAISY Foundation? 

For organizations, it’s very simple. You can go to our website, DAISYfoundation.org, and complete the “request information” form. One of our program team members will respond quickly with an introduction and an explanation of how the program works, and then guide you on how to get started. It is easy to become a DAISY partner organization. 

For individuals, involvement usually happens through your workplace. You can connect with your DAISY coordinators and ask how you can help—whether that’s serving on a selection committee, helping organize celebrations, or supporting the program in your organization. It takes many hands to run a strong DAISY program, and volunteers are always valuable. 

Thank you so much, Bonnie. 

I know I said that was the last question, but I’d like to ask both Melani and Cherlita one final thing. Any closing advice for our listeners—either for those hoping to be nominated for a DAISY Award or simply advice from your experience that has contributed to your success? 

Melani, I’ll start with you. 

Just continue doing what you do. The work you do does not go unnoticed. You may feel like no one is acknowledging it, but someone is always watching and appreciating your efforts. 

People will always remember how you made them feel, as Maya Angelou said. So keep going, stay true to yourself, and know that your work is not thankless. I am grateful to be your peer in this profession. Thank you. 

Thank you, Melani. 

Cherlita, any final words? 

I would like to encourage everyone to appreciate the importance of the DAISY Foundation. It helps us feel recognized and valued for the contribution we make to our patients. The hard work and compassion we give truly matter. 

It motivates us to continue delivering the highest standard of care. So keep up the good work, keep striving, continue dreaming of success as a nurse, and always be yourself when caring for your patients. 

Thank you both so much. 

Thank you, Cherlita. 

Before I let our guests go, we’ve heard amazing stories from both Melani and Cherlita about their nomination journeys and the meaningful experiences behind them. We’ve also heard from Bonnie about how the DAISY Foundation was founded—thank you so much for sharing that story again. And we’ve heard from Mercy about the incredible AMN partnership with the DAISY Foundation. 

I just want to close this segment of our show with one message that came in today. It is from Mercy Sam, who is also listening in and is a DAISY Award winner who has worked with AMN. Thank you for joining us, Mercy. 

She shared: 

“I am truly honored and grateful to have received the DAISY Award during my time as an AMN nurse. This recognition means so much to me and reflects the passion I have for caring for my patients. I am especially thankful to AMN Healthcare for giving me the opportunity to work in the USA and grow both professionally and personally. This journey has been a blessing, and I carry deep gratitude for every experience along the way.” 

I don’t think there is a better message to end today’s show on. 

I also want to take a moment to thank everyone who joined us—Bonnie, Melani, Cherlita, and Mercy. Thank you so much for your time, your stories, and your insights. 

Geraldine also shared in the chat: “Nurses are angels without wings, as they say. This is a great show. Congratulations.” 

These heartfelt messages really say it all. 

And with that, I want to wish everyone a very Happy Nurses Month. There will be many more celebrations happening this month at AMN. 

Oh—and there’s Melani with her DAISY Award! Thank you so much for sharing that. We’ll capture that moment and send it to you. Congratulations—that is amazing. 

Thank you again to all our guests. Bonnie, we look forward to having you back again soon. Melani, congratulations once more. Cherlita, congratulations to you both. And thank you, Mercy, for sharing AMN’s partnership with the DAISY Foundation. 

We’ll now let our guests go, but we have a few more things to cover to close the show. 

Bye everyone—and Happy Nurses Month! 

 

What an incredible episode. Thank you again to our guests. We hope these heartfelt stories inspire you to strive for a DAISY nomination and, ultimately, to become an award recipient—we would be honored to celebrate that with you. 

Now, let’s move on to some upcoming shows: 

On May 15, we will have our monthly Immigration Q&A, where your questions about immigration will be answered. We are hoping for an updated visa bulletin by then, but if not, we will adjust the session so we can provide the most current information. 

On May 29, we will have another Onwards and Upwards show. This is your chance to tell us what you want to hear about. What topics matter most to you? Your suggestions may become the focus of our next episode, so please feel free to share them in the chat. 

If you have not yet applied to AMN Healthcare International, you can do so at: 
amnhealthcare.com/international 

If you are currently on an F-1 visa in the United States, we would love to support you as well. Please reach out and specify your visa type so our team can assist you. 

If you have experienced a job offer being rescinded—whether in staffing or direct hire—we also want to hear from you. We offer both direct hire and staffing opportunities, and we are here to help you move forward. We understand how stressful this can be, and we want to help you see it as a pause, not a permanent setback. 

If you have an approved or pending I-140 or a priority date that is close to becoming current, now is the time to prepare. Visa bulletin movements can happen quickly, and you don’t want unnecessary delays when your opportunity arrives. 

One of the most important things you can do right now is prepare for your English exam. This is a required step, and you don’t want to be caught unprepared when your priority date becomes current. 

We also offer a free English preparation program in partnership with Niner. 

Here are the sessions: 

• First Monday of each month: IELTS success stories  

• Third Monday of each month: English preparation classes  

• Fourth Monday of each month: career and interview preparation with our placement team, including guidance on dream jobs and readiness when your priority date becomes current  

Please take advantage of these resources so you are fully prepared when your opportunity arrives. 

Thank you again to everyone who joined us today for your questions and engagement. We look forward to seeing you in the next episode. 

Until then—onwards and upwards.