Jess Hultman, BSN, RN

When our 13-year-old son, L, was first admitted to Children’s Hospital Minneapolis and diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, our world turned upside down. We were terrified, overwhelmed, and honestly didn’t know what to expect from one hour to the next. L was sedated for 22 hours, and during that time we felt helpless as parents; scared, exhausted, and trying to understand a situation we never imagined we’d face. Jess was the first nurse we had, and I will never forget how she immediately changed the tone of that experience.

From the moment she introduced herself, she was warm, calm, and genuinely encouraging, while also being incredibly sharp and clinically skilled. Jess didn’t just “do her job”. She was on it in a way that made us feel safe. Nothing got past her. She noticed everything, anticipated needs before we even knew to ask, and stayed several steps ahead. We call her L’s angel nurse. Jess was also an exceptional communicator. She explained what was happening in a way we could actually understand, without ever making us feel foolish for not knowing. She listened to our fears and questions with patience and openness, and she responded with positivity, honesty, and reassurance. In the middle of the most frightening days of our lives, her presence helped us breathe. And breathe we did. Jess was a fierce advocate for L and for us as his parents. She treated L like her own, watching closely, protecting his comfort and dignity, and never overlooking his needs. She consistently made us feel like our concerns mattered and that we were part of a team.

Most of all, Jess created a heartfelt connection with our family during an awful, unexpected, life-changing moment. Her compassion wasn’t generic; it was personal. She was relatable, kind, and steady, and her confidence helped anchor us when we felt like we were falling apart. We spent two weeks at the hospital, and while nothing can make a brain cancer diagnosis “okay”, Jess made a horrible experience better. She is the kind of nurse you never forget, setting the standard for compassionate care and clinical excellence. Jess exemplifies everything the DAISY Award stands for, and we would be honored to see her recognized for the extraordinary nurse she is.