Gretchen
Wiegand
May 2025
Gretchen
Wiegand
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Parkland Health
Dallas
,
TX
United States

 

 

 

One of her most impressive qualities is her ability to inspire confidence and encourage continuous learning. She not only provides clear, evidence-based instruction, but she also fosters a culture of critical thinking and professionalism. Whether she is leading training sessions, providing one-on-one mentorship, or creating educational materials, this educator ensures that every nurse she interacts with feels equipped to excel in their roles and deliver the highest quality of care to patients.
I am honored to nominate an exceptional Nursing Development Professional Practitioner who consistently demonstrates the highest standards of excellence in education, mentorship, and leadership. Their unwavering commitment to fostering growth and supporting the professional development of nurses embodies the department's values: integrity, collaboration, compassion, accountability, respect, and equity.

This practitioner’s empathy and compassion are evident in the deep connections they build with both novice and experienced nurses. They create a safe and supportive learning environment where every individual feels valued, understood, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Through their approachable nature and genuine kindness, they make everyone feel heard and respected.

Their communication skills are truly exceptional. With remarkable clarity and precision, they articulate complex concepts in a way that is easily understood, all while ensuring their message is engaging and impactful. They actively listen to concerns, provide thoughtful responses, and adapt their approach to meet the unique needs of each learner.

As a role model and mentor, this practitioner leads by example, consistently displaying professionalism, dedication, and passion for nursing. They nurture leadership qualities within others by offering guidance, encouragement, and constructive feedback. Their commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth inspires everyone around them to strive for excellence.

Their dedication to improving processes is evident through their efforts to optimize EPIC charting, including the standardization of IABP/Impella rows, SWAN documentation, and pulmonary artery catheter documentation. Their attention to detail and drive for consistency ensure higher-quality documentation, ultimately enhancing patient care.

This practitioner also demonstrates exceptional collaboration and adaptability. They work closely with vendors to schedule Impella classes and thoughtfully invite staff nurses to help facilitate real-life application of the learning. Additionally, they regularly teach and facilitate CRRT classes, IABP classes, and ECMO classes, always aiming to elevate the skillset and confidence of their colleagues.

During residency, this practitioner remains readily available to preceptors and residents, offering guidance, answering questions, and providing reassurance whenever needed. Their unwavering support creates a nurturing environment where new nurses can thrive and grow. They are instrumental in helping staff develop the foundational ICU routines and critical thinking skills essential for success as a critical care nurse.

Furthermore, this practitioner actively provides solutions to prevent safety events, demonstrating their dedication to patient safety and excellence. They continually raise the bar, pushing themselves and others to deliver the highest standard of care.

Their passion and commitment to supporting the growth and development of staff into their roles as critical care nurses are truly inspiring. Their efforts to enhance critical thinking, prioritize effectively, and build confidence among new and experienced nurses alike have a lasting impact on the entire team.

This remarkable Nursing Development Professional Practitioner truly exemplifies the ICARE values. They are a dedicated advocate for nursing excellence, a compassionate mentor, and an inspiring leader. It is with great admiration and appreciation that I submit this nomination for the DAISY Award. Their unwavering commitment to supporting and empowering nurses makes them truly deserving of this honor.

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I am writing to nominate our Educator for the DAISY Nurse Educator Award. As both a leader and a bedside nurse, I have had the privilege of working alongside this educator and witnessing firsthand her compassion, dedication, and exceptional skill as an educator in the critical care nursing profession. I can confidently say she is a transformative figure in our institution.  

This nurse has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the development of both new and experienced nurses. Her approach to teaching is both compassionate and effective, creating an environment where students and staff feel valued, supported, and empowered. She has the ability to make complex nursing concepts understandable and engaging. 

One of her most impressive qualities is her ability to inspire confidence and encourage continuous learning. She not only provides clear, evidence-based instruction, but she also fosters a culture of critical thinking and professionalism. Whether she is leading training sessions, providing one-on-one mentorship, or creating educational materials, this educator ensures that every nurse she interacts with feels equipped to excel in their roles and deliver the highest quality of care to patients.

Additionally, this educator takes great care in providing constructive feedback and fostering an environment where students feel safe to ask questions, express concerns, and grow in their confidence. 

A true advocate for lifelong learning, this educator has developed several learning opportunities aimed at improving nursing practices and increasing team collaboration. Her innovative approaches to teaching and her personalized mentorship have significantly impacted the professional growth of countless nurses within our department. 

Perhaps most remarkable is this educator’s ability to balance the demands of her role while always maintaining an approachable and empathetic demeanor. Her passion for nursing education is matched only by her deep care for the individuals she mentors, and she goes above and beyond to make sure everyone has the tools they need to be successful, both personally and professionally. 

For all of these reasons and more, I wholeheartedly believe that this educator is an exemplary candidate for the DAISY Nurse Educator Award. She is a role model, a leader, and a true advocate for nursing education who has made a lasting impact on the lives of her colleagues and students.