'The True Spirit of Nursing'

Fourth floor nurse Allison Nold, RN, awarded with DAISY honor for commitment to compassion, understanding

One of the signs of an extraordinary nurse is that their patients feel safe and prioritized, even when there are a million demands on their time throughout their day.

Fourth floor nurse Allison Nold, RN, was that extraordinary nurse for a patient who was in and out of the hospital during Spring 2025, and her impact earned her a DAISY Award in an emotional ceremony on the morning of Friday, Nov. 21.

Walt Davidson made several visits to Beaufort Memorial Hospital during several months in the spring and summer, and Allison was a familiar, warm presence each time he returned to the fourth floor of the facility.

Jesse, Walt’s wife, nominated Allison for the prestigious nursing award because of her constant attention, kindness, humor and compassion for her husband during his time at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

“Allison consistently demonstrates what it means to be a nurse in every interaction,” Jesse wrote in the DAISY award nomination. “No matter how hectic the day is or how full the floor might be, she always makes us feel like my husband is the only patient under her care.”

Persistent. Advocate. Fantastic. Relief. Comfort. Those were some of the words Jesse used to describe Allison throughout her husband’s time in the hospital, emphasizing that her presence was reassuring, and her combination of clinical knowledge and compassion made them feel even safer under her care.

With Walt in the hospital and three children at home, Jesse said she wasn’t able to be by her husband’s side – but Allison was right there to make sure everything was communicated clearly, keeping Jesse informed.

“We just knew that when she came on shift, everything was taken care of,” Jesse said. “She just had a really good rapport with us and had a way to explain things to us without dumbing it down, going above and beyond to make sure we knew what was going on.”

During Walt’s hospital stay, Allison was the lead nurse on the floor – “but she was our nurse,” Jesse said. “She gave us the time of day that we needed and never made us feel rushed.”

Allison has been a nurse on the fourth floor of Beaufort Memorial Hospital for over two decades, said 4T department director Julie Schott, BSN, RN, CNML. Her ability to be present, attentive and compassionate while caring for patients is one of the things that makes her such a remarkable asset to the hospital’s fourth floor.

“Allison has made this her home,” Schott said. “She has that compassion at the bedside, and the ability to make a patient feel like they have her undivided attention, she takes the time to ask questions and can make the patient feel like they’re the most important person at that moment.”

The ceremony brought out a few tears, and Beaufort Memorial Chief Nursing Officer Karen Carroll, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, said that the emotional response was certainly warranted.

“These DAISY Award ceremonies are always very emotional and tear-producing events, because it is with so much heart that these nurses do what they do,” Carroll said. “You never know when you’re going to be the patient, and when you are, to have a nurse who has such genuine care makes all the difference in the world.”

Nursing is a special profession, and to go above and beyond in the profession takes an extraordinary person. Allison is that extraordinary person, Jesse said.

“She embodies the true spirit of nursing,” she said. “She leads with heart, treats patients with dignity and goes far beyond what is expected. We are forever grateful for her care and support during such a challenging time in our lives.”