Excellence in Knowledge Development and Expansion Award

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) will honor one professional nurse from UVA Health for the Excellence in Knowledge Development and Expansion Award. 

Process:

Nominations are accepted during a 6 week period beginning mid-January each year.  Current members of the Awards and Recognition Committee are not eligible to be award recipients.  Nomination exemplars must have a minimum of 300 words and include specific examples in order to be eligible.  Nominations are de-identified and assigned by category to committee members for review.  Members may not participate in the review and selection of a category that includes a nominee that is a co-worker or other relation that poses a conflict of interest.  The selection committee scores nominations ranking them based on evidence provided within the nomination exemplar.

Award recipients are announced at a presentation event during Nurses' Week each year in May.

Purpose:

The purpose of this award is to recognize the contributions of a principle investigator or other individual clinician who has conducted nursing research that has the potential to enhance the science and practice of nursing, OR has implemented research-based practice change that has improved patient outcomes.

Eligibility:

  • Nominees must have been employed by UVA Health for at least 12 months.
  • Nominees must have completed their area orientation by time of submission.
  • Examples provided must have occurred within the last 24 months.
  • The nominee’s manager/direct supervisor must support the nomination.
  • Any Medical Center employee, NPGO member, or UVA School of Nursing student may nominate an RN for this award.

Criteria:

Specific examples must be cited for nominations to be considered.  These examples should have occurred within the last 24 months and be written as narratives or stories consistent with the award criteria.  Nominations will only be considered if they include specific examples.  A specific example must be submitted for each criterion in order to be considered complete and valid.  Any clinical acts referenced must be consistent with policies and procedures outlined by UVA Health.  Written nominations should demonstrate:

  • COMMITMENT: Demonstrates an outstanding commitment to promoting evidence-based practice.  Passionate about the development of new knowledge and/or innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes.  Partners with experts and leads teams through development of new methods or standard work.  Nominee may or may not be involved in a specific research project, but if they are, they should demonstrate service as a worthy research collaborator.
  • KNOWLEDGE SHARING: Formally and/or informally shares information related to evidence-based practice to positively influence patient safety and outcomes.  Examples may include publications, presentations, posters, etc.
  • VALUE TO NURSING: Describe the merit of the project (research project or other project), practice change, or dispersing of new knowledge.  How did the project or practice change improve Nursing practice and/or patient outcomes?
  • MEASURABLE OUTCOMES: Describe any specific outcomes that were improved resulting from the project, practice change, or dissemination.  How does the project or practice change contribute to the Organizational Goals?

**CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION**

Edited by: Jenny Ernest Updated: January 9, 2025