For Linda Genes, nursing has always been rooted in compassion, presence, and whole-person care.
As a DAISY Award honoree and nurse leader at AdventHealth, Linda’s approach to care has been shaped by the moments that remind patients and families they are not alone. Given by The DAISY Foundation, the DAISY Award recognizes nurses for the extraordinary, compassionate care they provide to patients and families.
Her story began long before she became a nurse, when she saw the impact nurses had on her own family during one of the hardest seasons of their lives. Today, that experience continues to guide how she shows up for patients, families, and her team.
Continue reading to learn more about Linda’s journey into oncology in her own words.
What Receiving the DAISY Award Meant to Me
Receiving the DAISY Award was truly an honor and one of the most meaningful highlights of my nursing career.
To be recognized by a patient and their family in that way is incredibly humbling. It reaffirmed why I chose this profession: to make a difference in the lives of others during their most vulnerable moments.
I lost my mom when I was younger, after she battled lung disease bravely. The care and compassion shown to her was incredible, but the way the nurses also showed such genuine care and support for us, her family, was the reason I became a nurse.
The kindness and professional nursing care she received, especially at the end of her life, became my “why.”
At AdventHealth, “feeling whole” is more than a promise. It is how we care for every person, supporting body, mind, and spirit. Receiving this award reminded me that even small acts of compassion can help someone feel seen, supported, and whole.
What Drew Me to Oncology Nursing
What first drew me to oncology nursing was the compassion and connection I witnessed among the team and with their patients.
I was inspired by the way nurses listened, advocated, and truly showed up for people during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
While I have since transitioned out of oncology to pursue a leadership role as a core Charge Nurse, the foundation I built in that specialty continues to shape how I lead and care for others.
Oncology strengthened my ability to lead with empathy, communicate with intention, and advocate for the whole person. Those are skills I now use to support both my patients and my team.
In my current role, I have the opportunity to foster collaboration, build trust, and help create an environment where both patients and caregivers can feel supported.
Being part of a team committed to clinical excellence that puts people first, while supporting body, mind, and spirit, remains central to how I practice today and continues to guide my growth as a nurse leader.
What It Means to Truly Show Up
To me, truly showing up means being fully present.
It starts with listening, really listening, without rushing or trying to fix everything. Sometimes it is as simple as holding a trembling hand or sitting quietly beside someone so they do not feel alone.
Sometimes, the words do not need to come. Being present in the silence is just as important.
It is about supporting not just the physical needs, but the emotional and spiritual ones as well. I am always grateful for the opportunity to work in a faith-based hospital system that allows me the ability to pray for and with my patients when they welcome it.
In those moments, I feel deeply connected to our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ and help others move toward health and hope.
The Patient Who Will Always Stay With Me
One of my patients will always hold a special place in my heart.
She was the cancer warrior who nominated me for the DAISY Award I received. I was her admitting nurse after she had just received her diagnosis, and she was understandably overwhelmed and very anxious. She arrived to our unit feeling upset, but kept apologizing for how she had been treating others on her way to her room. It was clear she was simply trying to process everything.
After getting her settled in, I asked if she liked the beach. She looked at me like I was crazy and said, “Of course. Who doesn’t like the beach? It’s my favorite place.”
I told her I had a feeling she would say that and asked for her phone. I opened YouTube and found a calming video of waves meeting the shore at night. We sat together in a moment of stillness, and as she watched, tears began to fall. But this time, they were not just from fear. This time, she felt seen, heard, grounded, and knew where she could find her peace.
I had the privilege of caring for her throughout her journey. Any time she felt afraid or overwhelmed, I gently reminded her to go to the beach. It was our “thing,” our connection.
I was honored to be there in the days before she passed, holding her hand. That experience reminded me that providing excellent care is not just about clinical skill. It is about meeting people where they are and helping them feel whole, even in the hardest moments.
What People May Not Realize About Oncology Nursing
Something many people may not realize is that oncology nurses never stop caring.
The connections we build with our patients and families stay with us long after a shift ends. It is not just a job. It is a deeply personal commitment to the people we serve and to delivering compassionate, high-quality care that puts people first.
How I Care for Myself on the Toughest Days
On the toughest days, I find it important to pause and reconnect with a sense of peace.
For me, that often means taking an early drive up to New Smyrna Beach to watch the sunrise. I take time to breathe, reflect, and be grateful for a new day and God’s promises.
These quiet moments of serenity help refill my cup so I can continue to care for others with compassion, intention, and the integrity that allows me to show up fully for them.
What Continues to Give Me Hope
What continues to give me hope is knowing that even the smallest moments matter.
Some days, I may question whether I made a difference. Other days, it is clear that even a kind word, taking the time to listen, or a simple act of care made someone’s day a little better.
That same hope has inspired me to look for ways to support patients and our community beyond the bedside. This includes working with my UPC to put together holiday meals and care baskets for elementary school students and their families in need, and creating a Care Closet for patients in need of clothing or personal care items at discharge.
It is a small way to ensure that our patients leave with dignity and support, and a reminder that caring does not end when they walk out our doors.
Being part of a health system that is committed to our community, investing in care, partnerships, and support beyond our walls, reminds me that we are part of something bigger. We are working together to bring health and hope to those we care for.
A Nurse Leader Guided by Compassion
Linda’s story is a reminder that nursing is built on both clinical skill and deep humanity.
It is in the listening, the advocacy, the leadership, and the teamwork. But it is also in the quiet moments: sitting beside someone in silence, helping them find peace, holding their hand, and reminding them they are not alone.
For Linda, nursing is about meeting people where they are and helping them feel whole, even in the hardest moments.
And for every patient, family member, and teammate impacted by her care, that kind of presence can make all the difference. This Nurses Week, we are honored to share Linda’s story and celebrate nurses like her, whose care helps patients feel seen, supported, and whole.
If you have a nurse that you would like to nominate for the DAISY Award,you can do so here.
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