- January, 23, 2026
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With the release of her new book, Overcoming: Stories of Leadership, Resilience, and Action, Dr. Karen Daley ’85, Hon. ’17, is turning five decades of nursing, advocacy, and national leadership into lessons for the next generation.
The book moves away from academic theory to provide personal, honest stories about overcoming the "tough" moments of a healthcare career.
“It’s about periods in my life and things I faced... and how to develop resilience,” she said. For current students, her advice is centered on protecting one’s passion. “Don’t turn into a miserable nurse who's all burnt out. When you see those qualities in yourself, move on... go somewhere else where maybe it will feed your soul.”
For Dr. Daley, nursing has always been about more than clinical care; it’s about the power of a single voice to spark national change. From her early days as a diploma-trained nurse in Boston to her role as a national advocate standing alongside President Bill Clinton, Dr. Daley’s 50-year career serves as a blueprint for leadership in the healthcare industry.
But Dr. Daley’s path to leadership was not always a straight line. Initially, as a practical nurse focused on the tasks of the bedside, she didn't believe a bachelor’s degree was necessary. However, enrolling at Curry changed her trajectory entirely. She credits the "Curry Window" with providing the foundation that allowed her to later earn a Master of Public Health from Boston University and a PhD from Boston College.
In July 1998, a routine shift in the emergency department at Brigham and Women’s Hospital resulted in a needle stick injury that could have ended her career. Instead, it ignited a movement. As the president of the American Nurses Association (ANA) Massachusetts, Dr. Daley became the face of a national campaign to mandate safer medical sharps.
Her advocacy took her from the bedside to the halls of Congress. Her testimony was instrumental in the passage of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, which was signed into federal law in November 2000. It remains one of the most significant pieces of legislation for healthcare worker safety in modern history.
Dr. Daley remains a steadfast believer in the power of the Curry alumni network. By sharing her journey from clinical practice to national policy, she continues to prove that a Curry education is more than just a degree—it’s an entry point into a community of leaders dedicated to making a difference.
As she looks toward the future of the profession, Dr. Daley’s message remains clear: through resilience, education, and collective action, the possibilities for impact are limitless.
Dr. Karen Daley“Curry opened up my eyes to the advantages of going back to school and broadening my perspective in many ways... and about the world in general.”
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