second annual Nevada Statewide Nursing Essay Contest 2002!, The

Nevada RNformation, May-Jul 2003 by Begley, Doreen

The Nursing Institute of Nevada (NIN), a subsidiary of the Nevada Hospital Association, is proud to announce the winners of the Second Annual Statewide Nursing Essay Contest. This contest concept was created last year through the collaborative efforts of the three NIN subcommittees, each creating a question for nurses throughout the state to write about.

From the theme, a variation on "a picture is worth a thousand words", we came up with "A Thousand Words is Worth a Picture". Each winner was promised that their picture and a copy of their essay would be published in this edition of NHA's newsletter. We also did state... "prizes to be determined", and through the generosity of those listed in this article, a lovely "Bag of Presents" was also provided for the winners.

This year, I also had the pleasure of working with Kelly Dawson, RN, BSN, a graduate nursing student from UNR Orvis School of Nursing, as she completed her Service Learning Project. She developed the flyer, assisted in the distribution of information throughout the state, selected the judges, tallied the points, helped gather prizes for the winners, sent out letters of participation to all entrants, and accompanied me as we visited each of the selected winners to present them their award and gifts!

The Participants: In 2001, when the First Annual Statewide Nursing Essay contest was held, 37 essays were submitted. For the Second Annual Statewide Nursing Essay Contest, we received 47! Some individuals submitted in more than one category, and all of the entries are listed below.

Professional Development Category:

To me, the definition of nursing is...

1. Cherry Hernandez Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

2. Jan Slayden Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

3. Jill Bolte Washoe Medical Center

4. Annabelle V. Viloria Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center Center

5. Cynthia Stethem Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

6. Mary Lou Sarkissian Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

7. Lee Auckenthaler Truckee

8. Jennifer Allen Washoe Medical Center

9. Kathy Laquitara Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center Center

Attraction Category:

I became (am becoming) a nurse because...

1. Christine Belle Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

2. Cynthia Stethem Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

3. Leslie Hunter-Johnson Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

4. Cherry Hernandez Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

5. Lisa Holtzclaw Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

6. Doris Tyler Veteran's Administration, Las Vegas

7. Patricia Doyle St Rose Dominican Hospital

8. Judy Albertson Humboldt General Hospital

9. Susan Selthofner St Rose Dominican Hospital

10. Joanne Geathers Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

11. Caroline Copeland Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

12. Cindy L. Irwin St Rose Dominican Hospital

13. Jan Slayden Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

14. Jill Bolte Washoe Medical Center

The Commitment Category:

I remain in nursing because...

1. Jan Slayden Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

2. Christine Belle Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

3. Cynthia Stethem Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

4. Lori Peake Washoe Medical Center

5. LaCrecia Beurrier St Rose Dominican Hospital

6. Robin Wolf Valley Hospital and Medical Center

7. Diane Atherton Saint Mary's Regional medical Center

8. Mary Lea O'Neil Valley Hospital and Medical Center

9. Shari Pizer Valley Hospital and Medical Center

10. Anne O'Neill Washoe Medical Center

11. Cynthia Ann Williams Shoshone Tribal health Department

12. Cherry Hernandez Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

13. Jill Bolte Washoe Medical Center

14. Melinda Schlottmann Carson Tahoe Hospital

The Judges:

The essays were then put into a format that eliminated all reference to whom the author was and what facility they were from. Judges were sought. Ten individuals volunteered to read and judge the essays.

Josh Charlebois, NHA Data and Technology Coordinator

Diane Rolfs, Professor, Orvis School of Nursing

Pamela Rutherford, NHA Director of Operations

Brent Begley, Washoe County Family Court

Jerri Ann Millard, NHA Accounting and Program Manager

Rick Dawson, LCSW Carson Tahoe Hospital

Eva LaBarge, NHA Legislative Executive Assistant

Edward Renner, Senior Engineering Manager,Intuit Corp.

Christopher Lake, NHA Director, Hospital Preparedness

Joan Hall CEO, South Lyon Medical Center

The Prizes: (A Bag of Presents)

All participants received a certificate of Participation from NHA.

The three category winners received a "Bag of Presents" that included:

The Florence Nightingale Pledge and a Lamp Pin from NHA

An NHA Pen

Free registration to NHA's Annual meeting that will be held in Lake Tahoe September 5,6 & 7, 200

Silver Star candy dish contributed by NHA

Box of Sees Candy donated by Sandy Smith, Sierra Eye and Tissue Donor

Services of Nevada

A Guardian Angel watch for each winner and a penlight keychain donated by Lelia Juhl from Lelia's Scrubs, Reno.

$50 Gift certificate to Target from Carson Tahoe Hospital

Three necklaces (one for each category winner) which were donated by my dear friends Joe and Cheryl Schlader, who own Pacific Pawn and Jewelry Store in Sparks. They have generously and unquestioningly supported my requests for donations to various nursing causes throughout the years!