Shaydie Boyd is busy.
And she likes staying busy.
She’s earning her BS in Nursing at the University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus. She attends classes, clinicals, and studies. She’s president of the CU Nursing Student Council. She works two jobs and volunteers. And, she’s a single mother taking care of her five-year-old son, who was born with a genetic disorder.
How does she do it?
“Google Calendar reminders,” she says. “I love staying busy – truly.”
Balancing it all is one reason she was honored with a DAISY Award from the CU Nursing Alumni Association. The award is given annually to a student and faculty member who is committed to nursing excellence and sets a positive example in their cohort.
“Shaydie's ability to balance these leadership roles while maintaining her academic responsibilities demonstrates her exceptional time management and organizational skills,” noted classmate Natalie Berry in her nomination. “Her dedication to both her peers and the community showcases her desire to make a meaningful impact, and her leadership experiences are preparing her for future challenges in her academic and professional endeavors.”
“I was so surprised,” Boyd says. “When I found out I won [she was surprised during class], I was thinking ‘This is the best and very prestigious’. It’s a big deal to get a DAISY, and not a lot of people receive one. So being a student honored with a DAISY before graduating says a lot about why people nominated me.”
Respected By Her Classmates
Boyd received eight nominations – a record for a student nomination at CU Nursing.
CU Nursing student Shaydie Boyd was surprised with a DAISY Award during class. |
“It was such a shock to have so many nominations,” she says. “I think the classmates who nominated me are people who have seen what’s going on behind the scenes in my life. They always tell me they have no idea how I do it – and sometimes I don’t know how I do it all – but it’s great seeing they look up to me.”
It’s something echoed in her nomination from classmate Kaija Hess: “Her ability to balance these roles alongside her rigorous academic and personal responsibilities highlights her organizational skills and dedication. Shaydie is not only committed to her growth but also to helping her peers succeed, often taking the initiative to advocate for others. Her passion for nursing, combined with her drive to lead and make a difference, positions her as a future leader in the field.”
A Mother’s Dedication
Boyd was inspired to become a nurse because of the care her son received at Children’s Hospital Colorado when he was a baby and needed several surgeries. Several of those nurses were new graduates from CU Nursing.
“They had such an impact on me,” she says. “I thought ‘How do I become the best mother I can be?’. And that was to become an educated mother. I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field, but when my son was in the hospital that was when I decided to become a nurse.”
Boyd says when she was honored with the DAISY Award, she tried not to think of her son and everything he’s gone through.
“I don’t let negative things affect me. And if they do affect me, I turn those into something positive,” she says. “It was hard accepting the award because anyone who’s a mother knows you doubt yourself all the time. I told myself I was going to be the best mother for my son – and for other people to recognize was so wonderful.”
