1- Professor Woody always offers her own time to help students understand the material and makes learning fun. I have had the pleasure of having her in clinical, simulation, and classroom settings. She always has a smile and encourages us as students to never give up. I have had a few situations as a Senior that I felt like a failure and wanted to give up, but she made sure that I knew my worth and to never stop fighting. She would always tell me that I would be a great nurse, and that is exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. She is very deserving of The DAISY Award, and it is an honor to nominate her for one. 

2- Professor Woody has consistently been a source of encouragement and support during my OB clinical and my Complex Processes class. Whether in class or during clinicals, she continuously reminds me of my strengths even when I begin to doubt them. Her belief in my potential never stops, even during moments when I feel overwhelmed. She takes the time to listen, offer guidance, and provide constructive feedback that helps me improve both personally and professionally. Her consistent faith in me has been a huge motivational tool in building my confidence and resilience, and I am truly grateful for the influence she has had on my journey as a student nurse.  During my OB clinical rotation, I faced a critical situation involving a newborn baby who was showing signs of distress. In that moment, my professor played a pivotal role in helping me feel confident and capable as a student nurse. She encouraged me to trust my clinical judgment, reminding me of the assessment skills and knowledge I have developed. Professor Woody's supportive guidance allowed me to act quickly and communicate my concerns effectively to the healthcare team. Because of her reassurance and confidence in my ability, I was able to advocate for the baby and contribute to initiating immediate care. That experience not only strengthened my confidence but also showed me the importance of trusting my instincts and training in a high-pressure situation. 

3- Throughout nursing school, there have been many obstacles for me, making this the hardest thing I have ever done. Heather, the last 2 years of knowing her and especially this year, she has stepped up and has been the best mentor/role model I have ever had. Heather not only cares about her students and their academic struggles, but also is very personable and cares about your everyday life. Heather is always there when I need her. She pushes me to be a better student, a better person, and a better nurse. She pushes me in a way that makes me want to do better and not let her down. When I struggle with grasping concepts, she sits down with me as well as changes her schedule to make time for meetings where we can spend a little more time on things. Heather was my OB clinical instructor twice, and I had to repeat the class. She never once made me feel small; she pushed me to think critically. She was there for every patient and the needs of the nursing staff. On multiple occasions when they were short a nurse, Heather would assign us a patient but still pass all the medications on the floor to help the nurses. She was there to help the department every step of the way, and it was truly inspirational to watch. She comforted the moms and the babies. Her students who were nervous to touch the babies she guided, taught, and pushed us past our comfort zone to grow as nurses. This semester, she is now my professor for MedSurg 3 and is doing an amazing job. She helps everyone, makes time for all the questions, and truly makes sure you understand the content. She is also the coolest flight nurse I know, and I strive to be like her.  If anyone deserves a DAISY Award, it is without a doubt Heather Woody.  

4- Heather always makes her students feel welcome, understood, and not afraid to ask questions even if they sound "dumb" to us. Each week, she makes sure we are involved in learning and getting to experience anything feasible that day. She shows up each week and supports us, and we 1,000% feel the encouragement and support she provides. One of the many stories that I can provide is that I personally couldn't see the assessment she was doing. After she was completed, she redid the whole 10-15 minute assessment so I could see it. I couldn't express my thanks enough for that. She holds me to a high standard, and even on the days where I feel like I failed to meet them, she listens to my concerns, and she continuously asks how she can help me understand things better. She knows the best way I learn and tries to implement it in her teaching of the clinical and my understanding. She is 1,000% the best instructor I have ever had. She doesn't like compliments very well, but there is no person more deserving than her of this award. She goes above and beyond in all the things she does. She is great at her job and needs to be recognized, other than by me weekly telling her this. She is the best role model I've had. I personally want to be a flight nurse like her when I am done with school. She has sat down and talked with me about this field, and she shows me that one of the most important parts of being a nurse is your "assessment" skills. She is very deserving of this award, and I just want to thank her for being a big inspiration in my nursing career and life skills in general.