2006 New Mexico Nursing Excellence Awards Announced

New Mexico Nurse, Apr-Jun 2006

The New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence has announced the 2006 Nursing Excellence Awards will be held Saturday, October 28, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Albuquerque.

Presented by Lovelace Health System and sponsored by Presbyterian Healthcare Services and University of New Mexico Hospitals, the black tie dinner and awards ceremony will honor nurses for their excellence in practice in 21 nursing specialties and education.

"We encourage everyone, co-workers, patients, health care professionals and friends, to nominate a nurse that has made a difference in their life," said event chair Kathleen Davis, MBA, R.N., Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Presbyterian Healthcare Services. "Nurses give so much of themselves day in and day out, and this event is designed to recognize their dedication and exemplary service to us all."

To qualify as a nominee, a candidate must be a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) and a New Mexico resident for at least one year by August 2006. Nominees will be judged on their significant contributions to nursing practice, exemplary level of patient care, and strong leadership in their profession, workplace, and community.

More than 20 awards will be presented at the awards ceremony, including the Nursing Legends of New Mexico and New Mexico Distinguished Nurse of the Year. Other Categories of Excellence include: Advanced Practice, Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health, case/Quality Management; Managed Care, Community/Public Health, Education/Faculty/Research, Emergency Care, General Medical/Surgical Care, Home Health/Hospice, Long-Term Care/Rehabilitation, Charge Nurse, Nursing Management, Nurse Executive Leadership, Pediatrie Care, Perioperative Care, Women's Health, and Outstanding Nursing Student.

A new award has been added this year. The Touch a Life Award was created to provide patients, their families, and other members of the community an opportunity to recognize those special nurses that have touched their lives. "These are the stories of nursing-the heart of nursing," said Pat Boyle, Executive Director of the NM Center for Nursing Excellence. "It's important that we listen, reflect, and honor the special relationship between patients and nurses."

A committee comprised of professional nurses will evaluate nominations through a rigorous selection process to determine award recipients. These recipients will receive an award custom-designed for this event by Laguna/Zuni pueblo artist DeHaven Solimon Chaffins.

Nomination forms will be available by May 1, 2006 and may be downloaded or completed online at www.nmnursingexcellence.org. or by calling the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence at (505) 604-6626. The deadline for nominations is August 18, 2006. The nomination fee of $30 covers the nominee's dinner during the Oct. 28 gala and awards celebration. A limited number of waivers of this fee are available; to apply for a waiver persons are asked to include a written request with the completed nomination form. For more information, to download or submit nomination forms, or to purchase tickets to the New Mexico Nursing Excellence Awards celebration, visit the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence website at www.nmnursingexcellence.org or call NMCNE Executive Director Pat Boyle at (505) 604-6626.