Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus 1A Med/Surg Nurse Nicole Sigmund, BSN, RN, is the latest recipient of the esteemed DAISY Award. Sigmund was nominated by a patient for the compassion she showed and care she provided following the patient’s stay at the hospital this summer. The DAISY Award is a national recognition that honors the unsung heroes of the nursing profession.
Sigmund has been a nurse with Bayhealth for just under a year. She was previously a pediatric nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, also known as CHOP. 1A Nurse Manager Dianne Halpern says Sigmund has truly blossomed since she joined the nursing unit. “The way she engages, communicates and builds relationships with patients is amazing to see. It comes as second nature to her,” Halpern said.
This nature shined through when Sigmund cared for one particular patient – her nominator – in July. The patient was very nervous about getting surgery, but when he returned to the unit, Sigmund was genuine and compassionate with the patient. “She made me feel like her top priority. I was so comfortable that I was actually able to close my eyes,” the patient wrote in the nomination. “She was constantly moving, lovingly caring for all of her patients, and getting anything we needed happily, quickly and without hesitation. She completely changed my opinion on hospital stays.”
For Sigmund, nursing was in her line of sight for a career from the age of four. This is partially because of the amazing care she received from nurses whenever she saw a doctor. “I do what I do for my patients,” Sigmund said. “It’s a lot of work being on our feet for 12 hours for three shifts in a row, but it’s worth it to help the patients. No one wants to be in the hospital and they’re often terrified. I want to make sure they have a good experience while they’re here.”
DAISY Award honorees are nominated by nurses, administrators, peers, physicians, volunteers, patients, and families. If you know a Bayhealth nurse who deserves to be nominated, visit Bayhealth.org/DAISY to fill out the nomination form.
