May 2026
Shawn
Nordheim
,
Ed.D., RN, CCRN-K, CNE, CHSE
Northern Kentucky University - Rho Theta Chapter of STTI
Highland Heights
,
KY
United States
Shawn advocates for us students, especially in the ABSN program. A time she really was there for us was when she took the time to meet with us and explain our schedule and the different scholarly opportunities we could get involved in. Every time we see her, she takes the time to show us that she is a support system for us and wants us to succeed.
***
Professor Nordheim truly loves teaching. A personal story I have with her is my second semester of nursing school. I was failing her med-surg class. I went to her office hours and told her about issues in my personal life and why I was having a hard time in her class. I ended up crying in her office, and she cried with me! She has true compassion for her students. She told me to finish out the semester (because I was close to passing) and if I had to retake her class, I’d have all the content. I took this advice and ended up failing, but I retook it the next semester with a better understanding of the material.
***
I am honored to nominate Professor Nordheim for a DAISY Award because she exemplifies what it truly means to be a compassionate, dedicated educator who puts her students first. From my very first difficult experience in her class, she showed me kindness and support I will never forget. After receiving my first poor test grade, I was overwhelmed and discouraged. Professor Nordheim immediately made time to meet with me over Zoom. During that conversation, she reassured me that I would not fail because she was committed to helping me find the resources I needed to succeed. What stood out most was how she reframed my disappointment. She told me that my being so upset about my grade showed her I had the work ethic to succeed. That moment changed my mindset and gave me the confidence to keep going.
What makes Professor Nordheim truly exceptional is that this was not a one-time act of kindness. I later heard from other students, even in semesters after mine, that she consistently went out of her way to support them in the same meaningful ways. One moment that perfectly captures her dedication occurred during a major flood that made travel difficult and stressful for many. We had an important test that Tuesday, and she typically held office hours on Monday to help students prepare. Despite the flood affecting her commute, she still came in for office hours. While many might have canceled, she made it clear that she wanted to be there for her students because she knew how high our stress levels were. That level of commitment speaks volumes about her character.
Throughout the semester, I met with Professor Nordheim often to go over questions. On one occasion, she spent over an hour with me, patiently working through each concept. She never rushed me. Instead, she would gently ask what else I was confused about, making sure I felt fully supported. A friend of mine shared that she once spent two hours with Professor Nordheim reviewing material. This goes far beyond expectations and demonstrates how deeply she cares about her students’ success. What makes her even more remarkable is the environment she creates. There is no judgment, no pressure, and no rushing, only encouragement and praise for effort and dedication. She celebrates hard work and makes students feel valued. She not only helps students succeed in her class, but ensures they develop a deep understanding of nursing concepts that will carry into their future practice.
Beyond academics, Professor Nordheim truly cares about her students as people. She knew that I struggled with anxiety and would regularly check in on how I was doing. Even after I was no longer in her class, she continues to go out of her way to stop and talk with me whenever we pass each other. She always asks how I am doing, showing that her care for her students does not end when the semester does. She didn’t just see me as a student in her class. She saw me as a person. That level of compassion is rare and incredibly impactful. Professor Nordheim’s unwavering patience, kindness, and dedication have made a lasting difference in my life and the lives of so many others. She goes above and beyond every single day to ensure her students not only succeed academically but also feel supported and cared for as individuals. That is why I wholeheartedly believe she deserves the DAISY Award.
***
Professor Nordheim truly loves teaching. A personal story I have with her is my second semester of nursing school. I was failing her med-surg class. I went to her office hours and told her about issues in my personal life and why I was having a hard time in her class. I ended up crying in her office, and she cried with me! She has true compassion for her students. She told me to finish out the semester (because I was close to passing) and if I had to retake her class, I’d have all the content. I took this advice and ended up failing, but I retook it the next semester with a better understanding of the material.
***
I am honored to nominate Professor Nordheim for a DAISY Award because she exemplifies what it truly means to be a compassionate, dedicated educator who puts her students first. From my very first difficult experience in her class, she showed me kindness and support I will never forget. After receiving my first poor test grade, I was overwhelmed and discouraged. Professor Nordheim immediately made time to meet with me over Zoom. During that conversation, she reassured me that I would not fail because she was committed to helping me find the resources I needed to succeed. What stood out most was how she reframed my disappointment. She told me that my being so upset about my grade showed her I had the work ethic to succeed. That moment changed my mindset and gave me the confidence to keep going.
What makes Professor Nordheim truly exceptional is that this was not a one-time act of kindness. I later heard from other students, even in semesters after mine, that she consistently went out of her way to support them in the same meaningful ways. One moment that perfectly captures her dedication occurred during a major flood that made travel difficult and stressful for many. We had an important test that Tuesday, and she typically held office hours on Monday to help students prepare. Despite the flood affecting her commute, she still came in for office hours. While many might have canceled, she made it clear that she wanted to be there for her students because she knew how high our stress levels were. That level of commitment speaks volumes about her character.
Throughout the semester, I met with Professor Nordheim often to go over questions. On one occasion, she spent over an hour with me, patiently working through each concept. She never rushed me. Instead, she would gently ask what else I was confused about, making sure I felt fully supported. A friend of mine shared that she once spent two hours with Professor Nordheim reviewing material. This goes far beyond expectations and demonstrates how deeply she cares about her students’ success. What makes her even more remarkable is the environment she creates. There is no judgment, no pressure, and no rushing, only encouragement and praise for effort and dedication. She celebrates hard work and makes students feel valued. She not only helps students succeed in her class, but ensures they develop a deep understanding of nursing concepts that will carry into their future practice.
Beyond academics, Professor Nordheim truly cares about her students as people. She knew that I struggled with anxiety and would regularly check in on how I was doing. Even after I was no longer in her class, she continues to go out of her way to stop and talk with me whenever we pass each other. She always asks how I am doing, showing that her care for her students does not end when the semester does. She didn’t just see me as a student in her class. She saw me as a person. That level of compassion is rare and incredibly impactful. Professor Nordheim’s unwavering patience, kindness, and dedication have made a lasting difference in my life and the lives of so many others. She goes above and beyond every single day to ensure her students not only succeed academically but also feel supported and cared for as individuals. That is why I wholeheartedly believe she deserves the DAISY Award.