Nursing graduate Kade Huff recognized for care, advocacy, leadership

At , nursing education is about more than passing exams. It is about shaping nurses who care deeply for their patients and for each other.

That is why the recognition of graduate Kade Huff with the for Extraordinary Nursing Students has become a point of pride for the entire campus.

The DAISY Award was established in 1999 by the to honor extraordinary nurses who provide compassionate care to patients and families. In recent years, the program expanded to include nursing students and faculty, recognizing those who demonstrate the qualities that define the best of the profession: compassion, connection, advocacy, clinical skill and commitment. Colleges and schools of nursing across the country participate, and nominations are carefully reviewed before recipients are selected.

Huff was one of only two students chosen from 21 nominees across six campuses. For him, the recognition came as a complete surprise.

鈥淲hen they called me into the lecture hall, I thought I was in trouble,鈥� Huff said. 鈥淲hen they presented the award, I was in shock. Later, when I learned that I was one of only two students across all the campuses to receive it, I realized how big of an honor it really was. I was excited that one of our students from OU Southern could be recognized at that level.鈥�

Dr. Michelle Theiss, associate director and associate professor of nursing, said Huff鈥檚 leadership was apparent from the very beginning of the program.

鈥淜ade was a leader in his cohort from the very first minute that they were together,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e arranged study sessions, created guides and encouraged his classmates to do their best. That is rare in nursing school, where most students are focused on their own success. Kade wanted everyone to rise together.鈥�

Huff said those study sessions became a defining part of his time in the program.

鈥淏efore every exam, I would hold a FaceTime group study session,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes they went four hours long, but I didn鈥檛 mind. If a classmate had questions, I would drop everything and walk them through it. I took it upon myself to get these study sessions going. Seeing everyone pass their NCLEX exams on the first try has been the best reward.鈥�

That same commitment guided Huff鈥檚 approach in the clinical setting. He brought lessons learned from his work on an ambulance into the hospital, where he focused on connecting with patients in ways that built trust.

鈥淚 talk to patients like they鈥檙e family,鈥� Huff said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 mind to sit down, hold a hand or just listen to their story. A hospital stay can be one of the worst days of someone鈥檚 life, and I want them to feel respected and cared for.鈥�

Faculty support, Huff added, played a major role in his growth as a nurse.

鈥淎ll the professors want you to succeed,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l do everything in their power to help you, but you have to put in the initiative. I really looked up to my clinical preceptor, Anita Bjorkelo. She鈥檚 like a walking textbook. I also appreciated Dr. Clement and Dr. Theiss. They showed so much compassion and pushed us hard, but it was because they wanted us to be the best nurses possible.鈥�

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With the DAISY Award in hand and his NCLEX exam recently completed, Huff is beginning his career in the Intensive Care Unit at .

鈥淭he ICU really interests me because you put everything you鈥檝e learned on the table,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be like a second nursing school, and I鈥檓 excited to learn. I hope I can be a beacon of light and remind others why we went into this profession, to give our best to patients.鈥�

Looking back, Huff said he is grateful he chose 花季传媒 Southern for his nursing education.

鈥淚f anyone is thinking about going into nursing, I would definitely recommend OU Southern,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 drove 30 minutes every day, and some of my classmates drove an hour. It is worth it. When I went to job interviews, the hospitals already knew OU Southern was a rigorous program, and they were confident in the kind of nurse I would be.鈥�

Theiss said Huff鈥檚 recognition shows both his personal qualities and the strength of the program.

鈥淗e is compassionate, an advocate and a leader,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hose qualities will carry him far in nursing, and we are proud to have him represent our campus.鈥�

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