Christina Decker has had a profound impact on me during my first year of nursing. Out of everyone I’ve worked with, she has taught me more than anyone else. Christina has a gift, not just for nursing, but for lifting others up while doing it.

She’s incredibly knowledgeable, calm in any situation, and somehow always two steps ahead, but what makes her truly special is how willing she is to teach, to support, and to lead by example. From day one, Christina has been the person I’ve looked to, not just for answers, but for reassurance, for guidance, and for real-life lessons you can’t learn in school. Whether it was explaining stuff, walking me through charting, or showing me how to advocate for a patient the right way, she never made me feel like I was bothering her. She made me feel like I belonged.

What I’ve learned from Christina goes beyond nursing skills. She’s shown me how to be patient when things get overwhelming, how to stay compassionate even when the day is long, and how to never lose sight of why we do this work. She is dependable and humble. Christina doesn’t ask for praise, but the kind of nurse she is deserves to be celebrated. The DAISY Award was created for nurses like her, the ones who shape the next generation just by being themselves.

Christina, thank you for teaching me, supporting me, and helping me grow into the nurse I’m becoming. You’ve made a bigger difference in my life than you probably realize, and for that I’ll always be grateful.