Nurse of Distinction 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:
To recognize a nurse who is a beginning leader and a role model to fellow clinicians.
Eligibility:
- Nominees must have been employed by UVA Health for at least 12 months, and be on the Clinical Ladder ABOVE the Clinician 2 level.
- Nominees must have completed their area orientation by time of submission.
- Nominees must have successfully completed or be enrolled in a BSN program
- Nominees must have a valid specialty certification
- 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 12 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. The professional nurse nominated in this category should display the following characteristics:
- ROLE MODEL: Serves as a role model and mentor to team members. Promotes flexibility and adaptability to situations.
- NURSING PROFESSIONALISM: Participates in the advancement of the profession through contributions to practice, education, professional development, and knowledge development. Promotes a professional environment by being a helpful, positive, kind, and compassionate clinician.
- COLLABORATION: Collaborates effectively with all members of the interdisciplinary health care team through respectful and effective interactions to ensure coordination of care throughout the health system. Practices inclusiveness in forming teams, elicits feedback, and participation from other members of the team.
- INFLUENTIAL AND INVESTED: Within the health system, participates in establishing, maintaining, and improving healthy work environments. Participates in practice area or central Shared Governance activities. Beyond the health system, is an active, participating member of a professional nursing organization, influencing or driving outcomes and evidence-based change due to participation. Participates in community service activities.