Taylor Budnick
February 2026
Taylor
Budnick
,
RN
Float Team
Children's Minnesota
St. Paul
,
MN
United States
“I want to change the lives of kids like Taylor did for me.”
My daughter was admitted to Children’s Minnesota St. Paul for an eating disorder and remained there for nearly one month. Throughout her stay, one nurse stood out and made this incredibly difficult time a little easier for our family.
While my daughter was hospitalized, she also developed a mysterious stomach illness that no one could figure out. She was in constant pain, yet there was one person who consistently made her smile, and that was Taylor.
Taylor’s compassion went far beyond routine care. She sat at my daughter's bedside for over an hour, cheering her on as she tried to drink a meal replacement she felt she couldn’t finish while watching movies with her to help distract her from the pain. Although the original rule allowed only 15 minutes, Taylor recognized what she truly needed. She gave her time, patience, and unwavering encouragement, believing in her even when she was ready to give up.
Taylor frequently visited my daughter simply to brighten her day, even when she wasn’t assigned to her, or wasn’t even working on the same floor. She often came to work wearing fun Disney outfits to share with her, something my daughter looked forward to every time she knew Taylor was on shift.
Through the movies they watched together and through every outfit she picked out intentionally for her, Taylor made my daughter feel like she was her only patient. One day, while cheering her on, Taylor said something that my daughter still repeats to herself daily: “Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean you can’t do it.”
That single quote continues to motivate her through her journey with her eating disorder and chronic pain. It is something she carries with her, and it has truly shaped her resilience.
Because of the profound difference Taylor has made in my daughter's life, she now says she wants to work at Children’s Minnesota as a PEDS nurse when she grows up. In her own words: “I want to change the lives of kids like Taylor did for me.”
Our family is forever grateful for Taylor, who made our stay easier and genuinely changed our daughter’s life. She says she will never forget her, and I certainly won’t either.
Taylor embodied every element of the DAISY Award criteria during our stay. We want to express how deeply we appreciate the extraordinary nurse she is, and the lasting impact she has had on our child and our family.
While my daughter was hospitalized, she also developed a mysterious stomach illness that no one could figure out. She was in constant pain, yet there was one person who consistently made her smile, and that was Taylor.
Taylor’s compassion went far beyond routine care. She sat at my daughter's bedside for over an hour, cheering her on as she tried to drink a meal replacement she felt she couldn’t finish while watching movies with her to help distract her from the pain. Although the original rule allowed only 15 minutes, Taylor recognized what she truly needed. She gave her time, patience, and unwavering encouragement, believing in her even when she was ready to give up.
Taylor frequently visited my daughter simply to brighten her day, even when she wasn’t assigned to her, or wasn’t even working on the same floor. She often came to work wearing fun Disney outfits to share with her, something my daughter looked forward to every time she knew Taylor was on shift.
Through the movies they watched together and through every outfit she picked out intentionally for her, Taylor made my daughter feel like she was her only patient. One day, while cheering her on, Taylor said something that my daughter still repeats to herself daily: “Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean you can’t do it.”
That single quote continues to motivate her through her journey with her eating disorder and chronic pain. It is something she carries with her, and it has truly shaped her resilience.
Because of the profound difference Taylor has made in my daughter's life, she now says she wants to work at Children’s Minnesota as a PEDS nurse when she grows up. In her own words: “I want to change the lives of kids like Taylor did for me.”
Our family is forever grateful for Taylor, who made our stay easier and genuinely changed our daughter’s life. She says she will never forget her, and I certainly won’t either.
Taylor embodied every element of the DAISY Award criteria during our stay. We want to express how deeply we appreciate the extraordinary nurse she is, and the lasting impact she has had on our child and our family.