OU seeks to recognize outstanding nurses

Oakland University's School of Nursing will celebrate 21 years of nursing excellence at the 21st Annual Nightingale Awards for Nursing Excellence on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at the San Marino Club in Troy.

The event will spotlight the achievements of more than 150 past and present nurses who have demonstrated unyielding professionalism and guidance. These exceptional nursing leaders care for the sick, educate their families and the community, as well as get involved in nursing advocacy and charitable organizations.

Over the years, the Nightingale Awards for Nursing Excellence has grown significantly in terms of the number of nominations, sponsorships, tickets sold and silent auction items donated.

Nurses are recognized for administration, advanced nurse practice, education/research, long term care/rehabilitation, nursing in the community, OU distinguished alumni, two staff practice and the People's Choice Award.

The latter award recognizes a individual nominated by a patient or patient's family member who felt the nurse greatly impacted the patient's life. To nominate a leading nurse for the People's Choice Award, nominators write a description of no more than two pages highlighting what the nurse did to make such a profound difference in their lives.

Nominations for other awards require individuals to submit a description of no more than six pages highlighting why a nurse deserves a particular award. All nominations are reviewed and rated by a committee comprised of nurses from various hospital affiliations, members of the School of Nursing Board of Visitors and the dean of the School of Nursing. Winners and runners-up will be contacted after judging is complete in mid-March.

"It's hard to believe that the Nightingale Awards is celebrating 21 years of achievement this year," said Kathleen Van Wagoner, chief nurse executive at Crittenton Hospital Medical Center and Board of Visitors chair. "It is vital that we recognize those nurses who lead with integrity and compassion, who put in so much effort and time to care for the sick and injured. All of those nurses who are nominated and those who are chosen as a winner for their care deserve to be honored."

The nine winners and runners-up will be honored publicly at the 21st Annual Nightingale Awards in Nursing, as well as receive a solid bronze statue of Florence Nightingale, a $1,000 check and Nightingale pin. Runners-up will receive a plaque and pin.

Nominations will be accepted starting Sunday, Nov. 16. For more information on how to nominate a nurse, visti the Oakland University School of Nursing Web site. Nominations should be submitted to Oakland University School of Nursing, Nightingale Nominations, Attn: Amy Holloway, 428 O'Dowd Hall, Rochester, MI, 48309. The deadline for nominations is January 30, 2009.

For more information on sponsorship, tickets or nominations, contact Amy Holloway at (248) 370-3799 or hollowa2@oakland.edu.