Nominations open for 2012 awards honoring LTC professionals

Long-term care is demanding, complicated, compassionate—and its professionals find fulfillment in making a difference in care and quality of life for America’s seniors. That’s why it’s wonderful to come across associations and companies that honor outstanding individuals. Here are two recognition programs I’d like you to know about.

NURSING ASSISTANT

Is there a special nursing assistant that goes above and beyond his or her basic responsibilities? Does that special person enrich the lives of residents and add to the solid reputation of your staff?

The Nursing Assistant of the Year Scholarship Program sponsored by Cerner Extended Care and the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination is accepting nominations until February 14. The award is designed to offer financial assistance to nursing assistants enrolled or planning to enroll in a degree program.  Nominations are judged by employment longevity; resident, family and staff interactions; mentoring ability; work ethic; and quality of work.

The 2011 honorees were celebrated in a calendar for 2012. The calendar is free and available at www.nascholarship.com. I plan to order mine today.

NURSES

The Health Care Without Harm Nurses (HCWH) Workgroup, in conjunction with The Luminary Project,  will be accepting nominations for the Charlotte Brody Award that honors a nurse whose environment activism makes a contribution to environmental health. In addition, student nurses are invited to submit an essay to the Hollie Shaner-McRae Student Essay Contest describing how student nurses can encourage and contribute to the “greening of healthcare.”

According to HCWH Consultant Karen A. Ballard, MA, RN, FAAN, “Nurses play a key role in the current environmental health movement. These awards both recognize their important role in public health, and also, we hope they encourage more nursing students and nurses to consider sustainable health care to be a part of their careers.”

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.