PANHANDLE GREAT 25 NURSES

 

PURPOSE OF AWARD:

In 2016, the Panhandle Great 25 Nurses event was established to recognize and honor nurses for their contributions to the individual patient, families and communities in which they live and work across the Texas Panhandle. This annual event allows for the amazing stories of courage, strength, resilience, and the lives of each patient they touch to be told, not only at the bedside, but in the boardroom, schoolroom, and throughout the community. The Panhandle Great 25 celebration raises the awareness of the contributions of nurses to patient care, research, leadership, education and community service of more than 4000 nurses practicing in the Panhandle area. In addition, the celebration builds the image of nursing through positive reinforcement of the profession as a scientific art and the recognition of those who exemplify excellence. It is a special honor for a nurse to be nominated by family members, patients, peers, former teachers, physicians, and administrators.

 

NOMINATION PROCESS:

Nominations for the Panhandle Great 25 Nurses begin approximately 4 months (spring) before the event takes place in the fall.

• A formal announcement and a link will be posted on the Panhandle Great 25 once it opens for nominations.
• A PDF of the nomination application is made readily available through the website to those who are having technical difficulties through the site or who prefer to submit by email.
• The nomination application will include nominator information and demographic information about the nurse being nominated.
• It is very important for the application to be written without identifying information by using “The Nurse.”
• Healthcare colleagues, peers, supervisors, family and friends may nominate a registered nurse from any field in the nursing profession.
• Only 1 nominee per nominator will be considered. If there are multiple nominees by 1 nominator, the nominees will be removed from consideration.

 

CRITERIA FOR AWARD:

The following criteria is required to nominate a nurse:

1. Registered Nurses (RNs) with at least five years of practice in the Texas Panhandle are eligible for nomination.
2. The nominee’s CV or resume must be attached and uploaded with the application when submitted.
3. A complete and well written application with examples of the following criteria are required for the application to be considered:
   1. LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
   2. SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
   3. COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVER
   4. SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROFESSION

 

SELECTION PROCESS:

• Once the deadline for nominations has ended, the Panhandle Great 25 selection committee comprised of current Panhandle Great 25 members, past recipients of the Great 25, and community member(s) will convene to select the recipients.
•  Each complete nomination application is scored using a scoring rubric by two selection committee members based on the above criteria.

 

NOTIFICATION PROCESS:

The notification process is an exciting time for both the nurses and our organization!

• The Great 25 honorees are first notified by phone with a formal notification letter sent via email by the chair and/or co-chairs and selection committee chair of the annual event.
• The notification letter congratulates the honoree and gives them information about the awards ceremony and what is needed from each individual prior to the event.
• A response is requested relative to the recipient’s attendance at the event to insure they will attend the event.
• Once all nominees have individually been notified, the facility’s administrative designee the honoree is representing will be notified.
• Once all nominees and facility have been notified, the Great 25 Nurses is released to the public via the website and other media outlets in the form of a press release.

 

AWARD RECOGNITION:

• Panhandle Great 25 Nurses will be recognized at the Great 25 Annual Ceremony.
  
• The Great 25 host will introduce the Panhandle Great 25 Nurse Honorees and criteria for the recognition.
• The Great 25 host will introduce the honoree, while a video plays of the nominator showcasing the Great 25 nurse's contributions to the field of nursing.
  
• The Panhandle Great 25 Nurse Award Honorees will receive a special plaque.
  
• The Panhandle Great 25 Nurses Event Program will showcase the Great 25 honorees.