Faculty member honored with DAISY Award

A faculty member with the Michigan State University College of Nursing was recently awarded a DAISY Award, one of the most well-known and respected awards in the field.

Angella Ruley, an assistant professor and assistant director of the Nurse Anesthesiology program, received the honor, which is given to nurses who display “extraordinary care.”

“I am truly humbled and surprised because what I do for my patients, students, and colleagues doesn’t seem extraordinary to me. To me it seems like the right thing to do or the proper way to behave,” Ruley said. “I believe that going the extra mile should be the norm and not the exception.”

Ruley became a nurse because of her mother, who was a nurse practitioner.

“Her knowledge of the science of nursing, skill in the art of nursing, and encouragement to achieve excellence led me to pursue a career in nursing,” she said. 

One of Ruley’s colleagues, Assistant Professor Lindsay Mason, nominated her for the award. Mason said Ruley is supportive and an inspiration to her students in the Nurse Anesthesiology program.

“She routinely goes above and beyond any course or program requirements to connect with and reinforce the positive growth each student achieves as they progress through the program,” Mason said. “Students regularly seek Dr. Ruley out for her guidance and as a sounding board to trouble shoot and reinforce principles from both didactic and clinical experiences.”

Ruley said she is proud to work at MSU.

“My favorite part of working at the College of Nursing at Michigan State University is watching the growth of the students,” she said. “It is an incredible experience to see students gain the understanding of the importance of what a nurse does and the impact that nursing can have on each patient and the community.”

Story published Oct. 16, 2024