Winder receives award for extraordinary nursing students

Pennsylvania College of Technology recently presented a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students to Nayla M. Winder, of Williamsport.

Winder received an associate degree in practical nursing from the college on Aug. 5.

Winder’s nominators praised her positive attitude, her encouragement toward other students, and her initiative to find out where she could help others at clinical sites after her own objectives were met. They also recalled her compassion in dealing with a combative patient.

“Instead of running the other direction, she asked questions about the best way to handle the situation, and by the end of the second day, she had developed a trusting relationship with the patient,” one of her nominators wrote. “In fact, the patient would light up when Nayla entered the room.”

Another nominator wrote: “Nayla had a patient who was angry and acting out, and she sat down and listened to the patient, allowing the patient to vent her feelings, and then gave the patient choices regarding her care, making for a great night.”

The nominator wrote that Winder is professional, compassionate and self-motivated.

“Nayla demonstrated accountability and responsibility, all characteristics that are not often seen in the early part of a student’s career,” the nomination continues. “Nayla had a smile on her face and brought energy to the clinical site.”

The DAISY Awards are a project of The DAISY Foundation, a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired the creation of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to recognize and thank nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

The foundation expanded the awards program to academic institutions in order to recognize the faculty who inspire compassionate care in their students and the students who demonstrate it during their education.

Penn College presents one faculty award and three student awards each year during pre-commencement “pinning” ceremonies for graduating nursing students, held in spring, summer and fall.

Each honoree receives a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.”

Award winners can be nominated by peers, colleagues, patients, families or alumni. Winners are selected by a committee in Penn College’s nursing program. This summer, five students were nominated for DAISY Awards.

To learn more about the college’s nursing degrees, call 570-327-4525.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free at 800-367-9222.