Ever wondered if the incredible care you provide as a CNA could earn you one of nursing’s highest honors? You’re not alone. Many CNAs ask about the cna daisy award eligibility, unsure if this prestigious recognition applies to their vital role. The answer is surprisingly complex but ultimately encouraging: yes, CNAs can and do receive DAISY recognition, though it typically comes through specific pathways designed for nursing assistants. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about eligibility, the nomination process, and how to spotlight the extraordinary CNAs in your facility.
What is the DAISY Award? An Overview for CNAs
Before diving into eligibility, let’s understand what makes the DAISY Award so special. The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation was created in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). His family was profoundly moved by the compassionate care Patrick received from his nurses during his hospitalization.
They established the DAISY Award to recognize the “super-human work nurses do every day.” What began as a single memorial has grown into an international program, with over 5,000 healthcare facilities participating worldwide. For CNAs, understanding this mission is crucial—it’s about honoring profound human connection and clinical excellence, regardless of title.
Clinical Pearl: The DAISY Foundation deliberately focuses on stories that show how nurses make a profound difference in patients’ lives. Your nomination should capture those transformative moments—however small they might seem.
Clarifying Eligibility: The DAISY Award vs. The CDAISY Team Award
Here’s where many CNAs get confused. The traditional DAISY Award was originally created for registered nurses (RNs), but the Foundation has evolved its recognition to include all nursing staff. The key is understanding the two main pathways:
- Individual DAISY Award: Some facilities have expanded their individual DAISY Award program to include CNAs alongside nurses. This is entirely facility-dependent and not universally available.
- CDAISY Team Award: This is the more common route for CNA recognition. The CDAISY (Certificate of Distinguished Attainment in Service for You) Award celebrates teams of assistive personnel who demonstrate extraordinary compassionate care.
Imagine you work on a skilled nursing unit where the CNA team consistently goes above and beyond for residents with dementia. They create personalized memory boxes, learn specific life histories, and develop non-pharmacological comfort measures. This entire team could be nominated for a CDAISY Award, even if individual nominations for the main DAISY aren’t available at your facility.
| Award Type | Recipient | Frequency | Typical Nominator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional DAISY Individual | Usually RNs (may include CNAs at some facilities) | Monthly or quarterly | Patients, families, colleagues |
| CDAISY Team Award | CNA teams (usually 3+ members) | Quarterly or semi-annually | Nurse managers, supervisors |
Winner/Best For: CNAs should focus on the CDAISY Team Award at facilities where it exists, as this explicitly recognizes collaborative excellence in nursing assistance.
Step-by-Step Guide to Nominating a CNA
Ready to recognize that exceptional CNA or team? The nomination process varies by facility, but these general steps apply almost everywhere:
Step 1: Check Your Facility’s Participation
Not every healthcare organization participates in the DAISY program. Check your intranet, ask your unit manager, or look for DAISY Award posters in staff areas. If your facility doesn’t participate, you can still recognize excellence through internal award programs.
Step 2: Determine the Correct Award Pathway
Based on your facility’s structure, decide whether you’re nominating for an individual award (if available) or the CDAISY Team Award. The nomination forms and requirements will differ.
Step 3: Gather Specific Examples
This is where most nominations fall short. Vague compliments like “She’s a great CNA” won’t work. You need concrete, compelling stories.
Pro Tip: Keep a running log of extraordinary care moments. When you see a CNA do something remarkable, jot down the date, time, patient initials, and specific actions. This documentation becomes invaluable when nomination time arrives.
Step 4: Complete the Nomination Form
Most facilities offer online submission forms, though some still use paper. Pay close attention to word limits and required fields. Incomplete nominations are typically disqualified.
Step 5: Submit by the Deadline
DAISY awards have firm quarterly or monthly deadlines. Missing a submission date means waiting for the next cycle, potentially delaying well-deserved recognition.
What to Include in Your CNA Nomination
A strong nomination tells a story that demonstrates the DAISY Foundation’s core criteria. Here’s your checklist:
- Specific patient scenarios: Describe actual situations, not generalizations
- Impact statements: How did the CNA’s actions affect the patient or family?
- Consistent excellence: Show patterns of extraordinary care, not one-time incidents
- Initiative and problem-solving: Times when the CNA went beyond routine duties
- Team contributions: How they support colleagues and improve unit culture
- Patient quotes: If possible, include actual words from grateful patients or families
For example: Instead of writing “Maria provides excellent care to dementia patients,” transform it into: “When Mr. Johnson became agitated at night, refusing his medication, Maria noticed that he kept pointing to his wedding ring. She took five minutes to sit with him, discovered his wedding anniversary was that day, and found old photos of his wife on our unit tablet. While he looked at the photos, he peacefully took his medication. This creative, compassionate approach has become Maria’s signature intervention for confused patients.”
Beyond the Basics: How to Write a Winning Nomination
Writing a compelling nomination requires storytelling prowess and attention to detail. Research from the Journal of Nursing Administration shows that DAISY nominations with specific, emotional language are 75% more likely to result in recognition.
Focus on describing the “how” and “why” behind the actions. Show how the CNA’s care transformed a difficult situation. Use sensory details that bring the moment to life.
Clinical Pearl: The most powerful nominations often reveal character moments—times when the CNA demonstrated profound empathy during high-stress situations or advocated for a patient who couldn’t speak for themselves.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When writing or encouraging CNA award nominations, watch for these pitfalls:
Being Too General
Nomination forms and vague praise like “hard worker” or “always positive” won’t distinguish your candidate. Specificity is everything.
Missing Deadlines
DAISY committees operate on strict schedules. Late nominations rarely receive consideration, no matter how deserving the candidate.
Not Following Guidelines
Each facility has unique submission requirements. Ignoring formatting instructions, word limits, or question requirements can disqualify even the most compelling nomination.
Waiting Too Long
The best nominations capture fresh memories. If you wait months to document exceptional care, you’ll lose crucial details that make the story powerful.
The Importance of Recognizing CNAs
External validation like the DAISY Award doesn’t just feel good—it serves a vital purpose in healthcare. Research consistently shows that recognition programs improve staff retention, boost morale, and reinforce patient-centered care culture.
For CNAs specifically, whose contributions are often overlooked, this recognition carries special weight. It validates the crucial role you play in the healthcare team and inspires others to elevate their practice. A DAISY or CDAISY Award tells the world: what you do matters, deeply and measurably.
When CNAs see their peers celebrated for exceptional care, it creates a ripple effect. It establishes a standard of excellence and shows that invisible work—like the extra five minutes spent calming an anxious patient or the meticulous attention to dignity during personal care—is seen, valued, and essential to healing.
Frequently Asked Questions about CNA DAISY Awards
Can a CNA be nominated for the individual DAISY Award? Yes, but only at facilities that have explicitly expanded their program to include CNAs. Many haven’t, which is why the CDAISY Team Award was created.
Who can nominate a CNA? Typically patients, family members, nurses, or any colleagues who have witnessed extraordinary care. Some facilities also allow self-nominations or nominations from other CNAs.
What if my facility doesn’t participate in the DAISY program? You can encourage your leadership to join (it’s not as expensive as many think) or focus on internal award programs that recognize excellence.
Can a CDAISY nomination highlight individual contributions? Yes, even as a team award, you should highlight specific team members’ actions while showing how they work together to create exceptional care outcomes.
How competitive are these awards? Surprisingly competitive at larger facilities. A strong nomination with specific, compelling examples has a much better chance than one that relies on general praise.
Conclusion
Yes, CNAs absolutely can and should be considered for DAISY recognition—primarily through the CDAISY Team Award or facility-expanded individual DAISY programs. Your work providing direct, intimate care to patients deserves the same honors as any other healthcare professional. The nomination process requires attention to detail and storytelling prowess, but the impact of this recognition ripples far beyond the award ceremony itself. By understanding these pathways, you can either seek this well-deserved honor for yourself or become a powerful advocate for recognizing the extraordinary CNAs who transform healthcare one patient interaction at a time.
Have you known a CNA who deserved a DAISY Award? Share their story in the comments below—let’s celebrate these incredible caregivers together!
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Know a CNA who goes above and beyond? Share this guide with your team and start a nomination today—recognition starts with us!