Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing

Connecticut Nursing News, Jun-Aug 2006

The Nightingale galas on May 4th gave a jump start to the 2006 Nurses Week. These events, which are held in four locations-Hartford, New Haven, New London and Stamford-are an annual event that honors hundreds of nurses in a variety of practice and educational settings. Connecticut Nurses' Association was proud to be a media sponsor and represented at every gala.

This year marked the six-year anniversary for a program that began as an effort in response to the nursing shortage and has grown to honor over 300 nurses with sponsors and nominators from every major health care organization, hospital and educational institution.

At the Hartford event, nearly 500 people, including the 100 nurses that were honored from 27 different health care organizations throughout Greater Hartford, were touched by a poem, "The Nurses," which was written and read by Hilarie Jones, APRN. Hilarie is a nurse poet and was the guest speaker at the event (please see picture and poem page 15). Hartford Hospital's LifeStar helicopter also provided a unique moment with a fly-over and dipping down over the event in honor of all nurses.

One attendee said, "What a salute to nursing! It only reinforces my own pride and love for the profession that I chose." Another said, "Health care continues to be a challenge, but I've never questioned why I am a nurse. These events only validate those great reasons."

Margaret Flinter, president of the Connecticut Nurses' Association, summed up the event: "I had the special pleasure to be there as both the representative for CNA and to honor my organization's nurses. It was clear that senior leadership of most of the major health care organizations was there and that speaks volumes."

Names of honorees and pictures are on pages 11-16.