Dec. 29, 2025 - At New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland, a joint venture of Maine Medical Center and Encompass Health, nursing is a critical piece of rehabilitative care. The job includes long days and hours, but it is also tremendously rewarding, especially for Rachele Daley.
“My mother, a nurse herself, is the one who first opened my eyes to nursing,” Daley said. “My passion to become a nurse solidified when I started working as a certified nursing assistant on the acute rehabilitation floor of a local hospital.”
After college graduation and working for several years as a registered nurse for other hospitals, Daley came to New England Rehabilitation Hospital in 2023 — knowing that inpatient rehabilitation was where she wanted to be.
“Rehabilitation is both tough and rewarding when it comes to nursing,” Daley said. “You have very dependent patients who rely on you for daily tasks such as using the bathroom. Then, you watch their progression, and it's one of the most rewarding, special things to witness.”
Daley, known for her genuine commitment to families and patients, recently won The Daisy Award, an international award recognizing extraordinary nurses who provide excellent clinical care with compassion. Honorees are determined by a committee and selected throughout the year.
“Rachele is one of the most compassionate and hard-working nurses I've ever worked with,” said Danielle LaPointe, nurse supervisor at New England Rehabilitation Hospital. “She addresses needs and concerns right away. If she has a patient who is declining, she will stay by the patient's side to advocate for them. She is someone we can count on — no matter what.”
Daley credits the support she has from her team for making this award possible.
“This award is nothing short of an honor,” Daley said. “I'm truly just trying to provide the best care I can, and in all honesty, I would be nowhere without my fellow nurses. The nursing profession is teamwork-based, and New England Rehabilitation Hospital has some outstanding nurses.”
Even with the complexities of caring for an older adult population, Daley wouldn't change a thing. She is deeply satisfied and fulfilled by her work.
“I often leave work with a smile or chuckle from stories a patient shared,” Daley said. “I also witness families coming together to care for their loved one, and it's quite beautiful to experience."