A student nurse at Essentia Health in Fargo was surprised with the DAISY Award this morning.
Shana Bennefield is a cardiac care intern who started nursing school in January of 2025, and has worked as a CNA in cardiac care since the summer of 2024. Bennefield says the field of nursing feels like a calling for her.
"I guess from a young age, I always knew I wanted to help people. I've had issues just personally, and I knew that I wanted to change - and be the change. That's just one way I can give back."
Bennefield was nominated for the award by her preceptor, Naomi Dahl, RN. Dahl says Bennefield goes above and beyond for her patients.
"I've had interns before, practicum students, I've worked here for four and a half years with multiple students and I just have never been with a student as good as Shana. I've never been with someone so confident, so able to recognize these critical things that are going on... so I just felt like she deserved this more than anyone I've ever been with."
Dahl says it’s encouraging to see talent like Bennefield’s come into nursing, where shortages have dogged the profession for years.
The DAISY Award is an international program that celebrates extraordinary care given by nurses. Bennefield graduates from North Dakota State College of Science in December with her RN, and plans to pursue her BSN. She has applied to work at Essentia in the cardiac care unit.
