Selene Rodriguez
South Texas College Vocational Nursing graduate Ana Alvarez never imagined that changing careers would lead to earning a prestigious nursing honor for her attention to patients and excellence in care before becoming a registered nurse.
Alvarez, 28, was surprised with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students (formerly known as the Flower Bud award) during her pinning ceremony by Rio Grande Regional Hospital, recognized for her compassionate care and commitment to patients.
“I started crying right away because I was so surprised and my friends around me started hugging me, which made it even more emotional,” Alvarez said. “I think being a thoughtful nurse comes down to how you treat patients. They’re going through one of the hardest moments of their lives and even something as small as listening or showing kindness can make a difference.”
The award is part of a nationally recognized program within the nursing profession created by the DAISY Foundation to honor nurses who demonstrate exceptional compassion, professionalism and patient-centered care.
It is especially significant because it is based on nominations submitted by patients, families, colleagues and instructors, with recipients selected for consistently going above and beyond in clinical settings.
“It’s an incredible honor, especially for a student,” said STC Vocational Nursing Program Chair Jessica Neely. “To be recognized at this level before even becoming a registered nurse speaks volumes about the compassion, dedication and heart Ana brings to her patients and the kind of nurse she’s going to become.”
Alvarez’s compassionate approach to care began when she decided to change careers after witnessing firsthand the urgent need for nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A McAllen native, she moved to San Antonio right after high school to earn a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and was working at a hospital when the pandemic began in 2020.
“I was impressed by how much nurses do, not just physically, but emotionally,” Alvarez said. “They’re the backbone of everything and seeing that during COVID made me realize this was the path I wanted to take.”
Seeking a fresh start and a sense of purpose, Alvarez moved back to the Rio Grande Valley and began working as a nursing assistant at Rio Grande Regional Hospital before enrolling in STC’s Vocational Nursing program in January of this year.
She chose the 11-month track as a faster way to step into the profession, gain hands-on experience and continue building toward her goal of becoming a registered nurse.
“You earn your certificate, become a vocational nurse and can start working right away,” she explained. ““One of my favorite parts of the program was getting to go into clinicals right away. We were exposed to real patient care starting in the first semester and I’m really grateful for that because it helped me feel more confident and prepared.”
Although Alvarez had worked at Rio Grande Regional Hospital for several years, it was her performance as a nursing student during clinical rotations that earned her the DAISY Award. Hospital leaders said Alvarez consistently demonstrated professionalism, compassion and attentiveness to both patients and their families.
“She has an everyday presence of what a nursing student should be,” said Christine Chiswick, market director of clinical professional development for HCA Healthcare. “She was always on time, always positive, kind and genuinely attentive to both patients and their families.”
Chiswick said the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students was created to highlight students like Alvarez who demonstrate a true calling for nursing, even while balancing the challenges of clinical training.
“Nursing school is challenging, overwhelming and rewarding all at the same time,” Chiswick said. “Students are learning skills that impact lives, and those with a true calling for nursing never lose sight of the fact that they are caring for human beings who need compassionate, sensitive care during some of the worst moments of their lives.”
Alvarez’s sights are set on a future as a registered nurse driven by a commitment to compassionate, high-quality patient care. Having earned her vocational nursing certification and preparing to take her licensure exam next month, she is looking ahead with confidence and purpose as she continues to explore the field.
“I like med-surg a lot, but I’m also interested in working in areas like the cath lab or the operating room,” Alvarez said. “More than anything, I’m excited to continue my education and keep learning. Every instructor we had at STC was amazing. You could tell they were great nurses who really cared about teaching us and making us good nurses, and they inspire me to be the best nurse I can be.”
Photo Caption: Alvarez was surprised with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students (formerly known as the Flower Bud award) during her recent pinning ceremony, recognized for her compassionate care and commitment to patients.
For more information on STC’s Vocational Nursing program, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/vocational-nursing/ or call 956-872-3011.
