During my first pregnancy, I was admitted at 35 weeks with preeclampsia with severe features. As a first-time mom, I was filled with fear and uncertainty. The news that I would need to be induced early was overwhelming. I felt unprepared, anxious, and scared for both my baby and me. On top of this, I was placed on magnesium, which left me feeling weak, hot, and miserable. Through all of it, Shay became my anchor. She was the blessing I had prayed for. She encouraged me when I wanted to give up, helped me sip water and ice whips when I felt too weak, and calmly explained every sound and procedure so that my anxiety never consumed me. She never once dismissed my worries. Instead, she saw me, heard me, and created a safe place for me in the middle of chaos.

After my son was born, I experienced severe pain in my side, and within hours, I received devastating news. There was a large tumor on my right kidney, and it was cancerous. At a time that was supposed to be filled with joy, I felt terrified and broken. Even though Shay was no longer assigned to me, she came back the next day to visit. She sat with me, spoke kind words, and showed me compassion I will never forget. In that moment, I realized she didn’t just care for me as a patient, she cared for me as a person. She saw me and supported me when I needed it the most.

Fast forward two years, as I prepared to deliver my daughter, many of those same fears resurfaced: would I get preeclampsia again, would I face more devastating news, would I be able to care for my baby, and would I be able to bond with her? My blood pressure began to rise, and I made multiple visits to triage. Twice, I was blessed to have Shay as my nurse again. Each time, she immediately noticed my fears and went above and beyond to calm me. She didn’t just take my vitals, she helped me breathe through my anxiety, reassured me, and made me feel safe.

When the time came to be induced at 37 weeks, I walked into the hospital with anxiety and fear. But that morning, Shay walked into my room. It was supposed to be her day off, yet she had seen my name on the induction schedule and chose to come in so that she could be my nurse and support me throughout my labor and delivery. That selfless act speaks volumes about her character. That day, she gave me the birth experience I had always prayed for. She encouraged me, comforted me, and helped me welcome my daughter into the world in the most beautiful way possible.

From the moment Nurse Shay walked into my room, I felt a sense of calm. She not only managed my care with incredible skill, but she also treated me like family, showing deep compassion and kindness during both of my deliveries. I have been so blessed to have Shay as my labor and delivery nurse for my son in 2023 and my daughter in 2025. She is the nurse who stood beside me through some of the most vulnerable and difficult moments of my life, and because of her, I found strength when I thought I had none. I cannot begin to tell you the pure impact she made on me during my time in labor and delivery. Having her by my side helped me in many ways, and I will forever be thankful for her, and she will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Shay is more than an extraordinary nurse; she is a source of strength, compassion, and hope. She has cared for me during some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments of my life, and her presence changed everything for my family and me. I will always remember how she made me feel seen, safe, and supported. Nurse Shay Robbins truly embodies the heart of nursing, and she is the perfect example of why the DAISY Award exists. I will forever be grateful for her.