OHIO Eastern nursing student recognized for commitment to patient care

Ohio University Eastern nursing student Gavin Paisley is gaining recognition for his commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care as he prepares for a future career as a registered nurse.

Paisley was recently nominated for a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students, a recognition honoring nursing students who demonstrate above-and-beyond care and compassion for patients and their families. He also was selected to participate in the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program at Wheeling Hospital, an opportunity that will allow him to continue developing his nursing skills while preparing for his career.

Paisley was nominated for the DAISY Award by Loretta Marchetta, assistant professor of nursing at Ohio University Eastern, who highlighted his ability to look beyond required nursing responsibilities and recognize both the clinical and emotional needs of his patients.

“Each week, Gavin provided individualized care to his patients by not only completing required nursing tasks, but by truly getting to know both his patients and their families,” Marchetta wrote in her nomination.

Whether offering an extra cup of coffee or a warm blanket, helping a patient order a meal or advocating for someone who did not fully understand an upcoming procedure, Marchetta said Paisley consistently found ways to ensure his patients felt comfortable, respected and heard.

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For Paisley, those interactions are an essential part of nursing.

“Patient-centered care to me means being compassionate and understanding that we all have different walks in life,” Paisley said. “Taking time to connect with your patients and making sure that they are seen and heard ultimately betters their care.”

Patients have taken notice. In her DAISY Award nomination, Marchetta noted that patients frequently complimented Paisley’s attentiveness and competence, including one who said, “He provided the best care for me today; he is going to make a great nurse.”

Paisley said the DAISY Award nomination reinforced the impact nurses can have on the people entrusted to their care.

“Being nominated for a DAISY Award feels like a reminder that the care you provide to patients and the things you do outside of the hospital to better patient care are noticed and appreciated,” Paisley said. “You don’t know how you’ll impact someone’s life until you’re a part of their care.”

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Dr. Matt Fox, associate professor and associate director of nursing at OHIO Eastern, said Paisley also demonstrates those qualities through his academics and service to the campus community.

“Gavin is a nursing student who is dedicated to the campus community and to the nursing program,” Fox said. “He excels both academically and in his service, both essential professional qualities of a registered nurse.”

Paisley will continue building those skills through his selection for the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program at Wheeling Hospital. The program supports nursing students as they complete their education and transition into professional nursing careers through financial support, mentorship and opportunities to gain experience within WVU Medicine.

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“I applied for WVU Medicine’s Aspiring Nurse Program at Wheeling because I knew that’s where I wanted to start my nursing career as an RN,” Paisley said. “I’ve worked with so many amazing nurses at Wheeling, and they are always willing to teach better ways to provide care to patients and advocate for them to better patient outcomes.”

Paisley’s interest in nursing began as a teenager when his own health challenges led to frequent appointments at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Watching health care professionals work together to develop the best plans of care for their patients sparked his interest in the profession.

Now, as he continues his nursing education at OHIO Eastern and prepares for his future through the Aspiring Nurse Program, Paisley is looking forward to building the skills that will carry into his career.

“Through this program, I’m hoping to get opportunities to better my patient care and build a strong foundation for my nursing career,” Paisley said. “This gives me the opportunity to build the skills that will follow me for the rest of my life, opening the door to my career.”