McLaren Greater Lansing nurse Jill Murphy was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the exceptional care nurses provide every day.
The nomination, submitted by a patient’s family member, read as follows: “I had the pleasure of meeting Jill while a family member was hospitalized at McLaren Greater Lansing. I absolutely fell in love with this lovely individual. Jill by far must be one of the best nurses I have encountered in the medical field over the past 40 years.”
The nominator continued to give an example of a time Murphy stood out as an exceptional nurse, stating: “Jill spoke in a soft, kind, and loving manner. She would stay with our loved one and would stand by the bedside holding her hand while chatting with family. She was always patient and never hesitated to take extra time to answer a thousand questions from a large family.”
Murphy was recognized by hospital leadership and coworkers and received a certificate commending her for being an “Extraordinary Nurse,” as well as a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
Three years ago, Murphy decided to change career paths and go back to school to obtain a degree in nursing during the height of the pandemic. Since then, she started her nursing career at McLaren Greater Lansing, stating that this is where she wanted to be.
“I found my strengths are soft skills and one-on-one communication with others, so I went back to school because I knew this was more fitting for me,” said Murphy. “I find it to be a privilege to be involved in someone’s care and get to know them and their family.”
Murphy is also continuing her education to receive her master’s in nursing and said with the support of her team, she has built the confidence and skills to be able to provide the best care possible for her patients.
“I’m very humbled to receive this award,” said Murphy.
About the DAISY Award
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, California, was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families.
“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” said Bonnie Barnes, president and co-founder of the DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the superhuman work they do. The kind of work the nurses at McLaren Greater Lansing are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the DAISY Award.”