Marjorie Liciaga Rodriguez, a nursing student in the Atrium Health Floyd School of Health Sciences at Georgia Highlands College (GHC), recently received the DAISY Award, a national award from the DAISY Foundation.
Any licensed, registered nurse, nursing faculty or nursing student is eligible to be nominated for a DAISY Award. According to its website, DAISY partners with healthcare facilities across the continuum of care, such as large health systems, clinics, long-term care facilities, surgery centers, critical access and rural hospitals, schools of nursing and more. The organization’s recognition programs express gratitude to nurses wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers – from nursing student through lifetime achievement.
Being recognized for this accomplishment brought Rodriguez to tears.
“I felt deeply humbled to know that someone took the time to vote for me,” Rodriguez said. “I work with an amazing group of nurses, so naturally, I believed the ladies that came to present were there to present one of them with the award.”
She added, “This award means that my hard work, my dedication and my sacrifices are seen and that it is all leading me to a path that serves a higher calling that I am seeking to fill.”
Her goals as a nurse include creating a positive impact on others while embracing her compassionate spirit and setting an example for her children.
“I often feel like care and compassion is missing, so why not spread that around some? My caring and compassionate spirit yearns to be let out,” she said.
Reflecting on her education thus far, Rodriguez said every classroom experience, project, lecture, simulation lab and clinical rotation holds a story.
“First semester experiences tested my character. I found this helpful because it tested me as a person and challenged me to grow and mature,” Rodriguez said. “Second semester experiences proved that learning is never-ending. This last semester is teaching me that motivation and determination go hand in hand.”
She continued, “The most helpful and interesting parts of the program are the clinical rotations. This is where you can apply what you learn during lectures and sim labs in a real-life setting.”
Motivation and determination are necessary for anyone considering enrolling in the nursing program, Rodriguez said.
“If an individual is both motivated and determined, I would say, “Do it” – what are you waiting for?” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez plans to graduate in spring 2024 and will continue her education with GHC. Her next steps are to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) while completing a nursing residency program with her employer, Wellstar Health System, who nominated her for the award.
“I would really like to thank every nursing instructor at GHC. Every instructor that I have come in contact with has always had my best interest in mind,” Rodriguez said. “They are all different and they all have taught me unique lifelong lessons.”
Access your future at GHC and start classes this spring with no application fee through January 11. Connect with an admissions counselor at go.highlands.edu or enroll today at apply.highlands.edu
