Vaneza
Espino
December 2025
Vaneza
Espino
University of the Pacific
Sacramento
,
CA
United States
I am honored to nominate Vaneza Espino for the DAISY Award. She is the definition of compassion, leadership, advocacy, and the true spirit of nursing.
Some people come into your life quietly, but their impact stays with you forever. For me, that person is Vaneza Espino. She has been my classmate, my friend, my mentor, and one of the strongest motivators I have ever had. She is the kind of nurse and human being who changes the people around her simply by being herself.
From the very beginning of nursing school, Vaneza believed in me long before I learned how to believe in myself. She pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible ways by encouraging me to pursue leadership roles, stay involved in the community, and join nursing organizations that helped shape my professional identity. She helped me see that I am capable of far more than I ever realized, and she never let me shrink myself or doubt my place in this profession.
As our class representative, Vaneza is the person everyone turns to. She listens without judgment, advocates without hesitation, and guides our cohort through every challenge with a level of strength and grace that inspires all of us. She shows up for people consistently, wholeheartedly, and with true compassion. Even on the hardest days, she makes others feel supported, heard, and valued. Her commitment to advocacy extends far beyond the classroom. Vaneza is an active member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and My Sisters House, where she continues to uplift vulnerable populations and give back to the communities she cares deeply about. She embodies the heart of nursing by speaking up for others, fighting for equity, and being a voice for those who often go unheard.
What makes Vaneza truly exceptional is not only what she does, but who she is. She leads with heart. She encourages others to rise with her. She advocates fiercely and cares deeply. She has made me a better student, a better future nurse, and most importantly, a better person. For all these reasons, and for countless moments that cannot be fully captured in words, I am honored to nominate Vaneza Espino for the DAISY Award. She is the definition of compassion, leadership, advocacy, and the true spirit of nursing.
From the very beginning of nursing school, Vaneza believed in me long before I learned how to believe in myself. She pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible ways by encouraging me to pursue leadership roles, stay involved in the community, and join nursing organizations that helped shape my professional identity. She helped me see that I am capable of far more than I ever realized, and she never let me shrink myself or doubt my place in this profession.
As our class representative, Vaneza is the person everyone turns to. She listens without judgment, advocates without hesitation, and guides our cohort through every challenge with a level of strength and grace that inspires all of us. She shows up for people consistently, wholeheartedly, and with true compassion. Even on the hardest days, she makes others feel supported, heard, and valued. Her commitment to advocacy extends far beyond the classroom. Vaneza is an active member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and My Sisters House, where she continues to uplift vulnerable populations and give back to the communities she cares deeply about. She embodies the heart of nursing by speaking up for others, fighting for equity, and being a voice for those who often go unheard.
What makes Vaneza truly exceptional is not only what she does, but who she is. She leads with heart. She encourages others to rise with her. She advocates fiercely and cares deeply. She has made me a better student, a better future nurse, and most importantly, a better person. For all these reasons, and for countless moments that cannot be fully captured in words, I am honored to nominate Vaneza Espino for the DAISY Award. She is the definition of compassion, leadership, advocacy, and the true spirit of nursing.