Nursing award nominations process opens

(CNS): Nominations have been invited for the 2013 Eloise Reid Award for Excellence in Nursing, which takes place during Nurses’ Week and acknowledges nurses for their services to the community. Nurses can be nominated by their peers, patients, or colleagues for exceptional contributions to the nursing profession in clinical practice and excellence in the application of nursing practice standards and the code of ethics. The deadline for submission of nominations is Friday, 26th April. Eloise Reid, former Health Services Authority CEO and Chief Nursing Officer for whom the award is named, explained, “There are so many dedicated, outstanding nurses livingand working in the Cayman Islands.  This award is a great way to bring us all together to celebrate the hard work that nurses do, and recognise the vital support that they offer to the healthcare profession.”

She added, “I encourage everyone to take the time to think of a nurse who has gone above and beyond in her duties, and make the effort to submit his or her name so that we can in turn show our appreciation as colleagues.”

The assessment criteria for nominees includes, high ethical standards, mentoring others, leadership, competency, achievement, and contribution to the profession. The winner will be chosen by a selection committee, which is appointed by the Chief Nursing Officer, Hazel Brown.  A representative from sponsor, Nueterra Global Alliance, will also review nominations. The winner will be announced at a welcome cocktail reception onTuesday, 7th May at the Marriott Beach Resort hotel. 

2012 Eloise Reid Award recipient, Rebekah Brooks, said, “I felt extremely honoured to be chosen for such a prestigious award because it recognises the on-going contributions to clinical practice of individual nurses working across the island in both the public and private sectors. It was very motivating and rewarding to be nominated by my colleagues and patients, and selected by the panel of judges.  Nurse Eloise Reid is one of Cayman's best role models, and an inspiration to the nursing profession.  I had the privilege of working for her whilst she was the Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Executive Officer at the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority, and she was always so compassionate, professional and motivational to all of the nurses.”

Nomination forms are available at the Health Services Authority and the Cayman Islands Nurses Association’s website, www.cina.ky.