February 2026 Honoree
Mary (Beth) Burns, MSN, RNC-NICU
It is with great enthusiasm that I nominate Beth Burns for the DAISY Award. Beth is the heart and soul of our NICU education department, and her commitment to developing, supporting, and inspiring nurses has had an extraordinary impact on our team and, ultimately, the infants and families we serve.
Beth has completely transformed our "New to NICU" program, making it more comprehensive, welcoming, and tailored to the unique demands of neonatal intensive care. She thoughtfully redesigned orientation packets and onboarding resources to ensure that new team members feel supported, confident, and set up for success from day one. Her work has not only improved knowledge retention but has also strengthened team culture by building early connections and trust.
One of Beth’s most creative and effective contributions is her design of immersive, hands-on learning experiences. For our skills days, Beth goes above and beyond by crafting detailed escape rooms that challenge staff to apply clinical reasoning, teamwork, and technical skills in a fun and engaging way. These scenarios reflect real NICU situations, reinforcing critical competencies while also boosting morale and engagement. Her ability to combine education with play and purpose is truly unique and speaks to the deep thought she puts into every detail.
Beth's leadership style is encouraging, approachable, and empowering. She meets nurses where they are and adapts her teaching to support individual learning styles. Whether she is helping someone prepare for a certification exam, mentoring a new preceptor, or developing simulation-based learning, Beth is always present, always prepared, and always pushing us to grow.
Her passion for education has elevated the standard of care in our NICU. Beth is not just teaching skills—she is building confidence, competence, and a love for learning that extends throughout our department. We are incredibly fortunate to have her, and I can think of no one more deserving of DAISY recognition.
Beth has completely transformed our "New to NICU" program, making it more comprehensive, welcoming, and tailored to the unique demands of neonatal intensive care. She thoughtfully redesigned orientation packets and onboarding resources to ensure that new team members feel supported, confident, and set up for success from day one. Her work has not only improved knowledge retention but has also strengthened team culture by building early connections and trust.
One of Beth’s most creative and effective contributions is her design of immersive, hands-on learning experiences. For our skills days, Beth goes above and beyond by crafting detailed escape rooms that challenge staff to apply clinical reasoning, teamwork, and technical skills in a fun and engaging way. These scenarios reflect real NICU situations, reinforcing critical competencies while also boosting morale and engagement. Her ability to combine education with play and purpose is truly unique and speaks to the deep thought she puts into every detail.
Beth's leadership style is encouraging, approachable, and empowering. She meets nurses where they are and adapts her teaching to support individual learning styles. Whether she is helping someone prepare for a certification exam, mentoring a new preceptor, or developing simulation-based learning, Beth is always present, always prepared, and always pushing us to grow.
Her passion for education has elevated the standard of care in our NICU. Beth is not just teaching skills—she is building confidence, competence, and a love for learning that extends throughout our department. We are incredibly fortunate to have her, and I can think of no one more deserving of DAISY recognition.
Thank you, Mary (Beth), for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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