The DAISY Foundation: Impacting Nurse Careers Through Recognition

Recognition is often described as a “nice to have” in healthcare, but on this episode of Care Anywhere, it’s framed as something far more essential.

Host Lea Sims sits down with Deb Zimmermann, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer of The DAISY Foundation, and Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, co-founder of the organization, to explore how meaningful recognition can shape nurse careers, strengthen resilience, and sustain the global nursing workforce over time.

Bonnie shares the deeply personal story behind the founding of The DAISY Foundation, which began after the loss of her stepson and grew into a global movement honoring extraordinary, compassionate nursing care. What started as a simple act of gratitude has since expanded to more than 7,700 healthcare organizations and nursing schools across 45 countries, giving patients, families, and colleagues a way to recognize the nurses who make a lasting difference in their lives.

Deb brings the perspective of both a nurse leader and a former DAISY Award recipient organization, unpacking why recognition is not just emotionally meaningful but strategically vital. She explains how patient- and family-driven recognition reinforces purpose, builds compassion satisfaction, and helps nurses reconnect with why they entered the profession in the first place. Together, Deb and Bonnie highlight research showing that meaningful recognition supports retention, teamwork, engagement, and even long-term career longevity, including nurses who remain at the bedside for decades.

The conversation also looks beyond individual impact to the broader global workforce. As nursing shortages persist worldwide, Deb and Bonnie discuss how recognition can serve as a unifying force across cultures, health systems, and borders, reminding nurses everywhere that their work is seen, valued, and essential. From bedside clinicians to educators and leaders, the DAISY model offers a way to elevate nursing at every stage of a career.

Listeners will come away with a powerful reminder that gratitude, when made visible and intentional, can be a catalyst for resilience, policy conversations, and a healthier future for the global nursing workforce.

Tune in to the full episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast on TruMerit.org or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.