Moraine Park Technical College nursing student Rachelle Davis of Beaver Dam was recognized with two prestigious awards, the Wisconsin Nursing Association (WNA) Future Nursing Leader Award and the 2024 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students, on May 17 at the 2024 Nursing Pinning Ceremony in Beaver Dam.
The WNA is the premier organization representing the interests of Wisconsin’s 95,000 registered nurses. WNA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on healthcare issues that affect nurses and the public. The WNA awarded five Future Nursing Leader Awards this year– Davis is the first Moraine Park student to receive this distinguished award. As part of her award, she will receive a one-year complimentary membership to the WNA and the American Nurses Association (ANA) and a coveted spot on their Workforce Advocacy Council.
The DAISY Award recognizes and celebrates nursing students for the above-and-beyond care and compassion shown to patients and their families. The DAISY Foundation hopes this program will inspire and motivate students to provide the best clinical skills possible and to impact patients and families with human spirit and kindness. The DAISY Award winner is chosen through a blind selection process by Moraine Park faculty– nominations for the award can come from any patient, staff nurse, fellow students, faculty or community member that the student has positively impacted.
Moraine Park instructor Maggie Laubenstein nominated Davis for both awards and served as her mentor throughout the intensive two-year program.
“Rachelle has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout her program by being involved with the Student Nursing Association (SNA) since Spring 2023– serving as an officer since Fall of 2024,” Laubenstein, said. “She is the mentor for several students, being their contact for additional learning and support.”
Davis also initiated and organized a partnership with Moraine Park’s SNA and the Dodge County sexual assault resource for county residents, PAVE (Protect, Advocate, Validate and Educate).
Davis officially wrapped up her MPTC career on Saturday, May 18 at the Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony–graduating with honors. She was surrounded by her husband, two children, and other family, friends and educational supporters.
“Rachelle has greatly impacted Moraine Park during her time at the College,” Laubenstein continues. “Her positive attitude and willingness to learn stand out to me as her instructor. She is routinely asking the why behind her learning and striving for excellence. Her positivity towards others makes her an ideal student for others to seek help from, and she never denies her peers. Her patients during her clinical often complimented her knowledge base, warm personality and knowledge. Rachelle is approachable, confident, compassionate and a true leader. She has set a precedence for future nursing students.”
Davis has signed on with SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital- Madison, where she will be working in the cardiovascular critical step-down unit. She plans to pursue her BSN and MSN in nursing education and has future aspirations to share her passion for nursing by becoming a nursing educator.
