|
The UVAHS Professional Nursing Staff Organization Nursing Recognition Opportunities |
Recognition strengthens nurse retention, and recognition of nurses is a key component of the culture of excellence at UVAHS. Direct care nurses find many ways to celebrate and honor their colleagues, their achievements and their specialty practices and to acknowledge the contributions that nurses make every day to patient and health care to the community.
The Health System and the PNSO strategically reinforce this culture of appreciation. HR Policy 806, Employee Reward and Recognition Program, establishes a partnership between management and employees in recognizing employee contributions and achievements. Always striving to grow and expand, the PNSO Strategic Plan includes enhancing recognition activities to publicly acknowledge the contributions of the nurse.
2008 Recognition Committee
The PNSO Recognition Committee, comprised of direct care nurses and nurse leaders, plans and coordinates PNSO activities. Nicole Henley, BSN, RN, CCRN, Clinician IV, chairs the Committee.
Recognition Committee goals include:
- Increase positive perception of public recognition and acknowledgement of nursing with demonstrated improvement in Nursing Worklife Survey results.
- Develop strategies, in collaboration with the Medical Center Marketing Department, to promote the "Image of Nursing" across the Health System and within the community.
- Planning and facilitating the major recurring recognition activities of the PNSO, including the selection process for the Annual Nursing Excellence Awards.
- Build upon current recognition programs and seek appropriate resources to support and grow future PNSO recognition events.
A Broad Spectrum of Nursing Recognition Opportunities
PNSO Annual Nursing Excellence Awards
The PNSO presents seven awards throughout the year honoring different aspects of excellence in the nursing role - three at the Spring and Fall PNSO Membership Assemblies, and one at the Summer Leadership Forum. The awards are: Excellence in Caring; Beginning Practitioner of the Year; Excellence in Nursing Research (Fall); Preceptor of the Year; Nurse of Distinction; Excellence in Clinical Practice (Spring); and Distinguished Nurse Manager (Summer). The process is based on peer nominations and supportive evidence provided; recipients receive a personal commemorative award, a framed certificate of achievement, and an engraved plaque on the PNSO's honorary nursing display in the lobby, as well as a letter of appreciation and $500 educational support from Dr. Cipriano.
Week of the Nurse Celebrations
Nurses from around UVAHS participate in months of planning as part of the PNSO's Week of the Nurse Planning Committee, setting up a broad spectrum of events to celebrate all that UVA nurses mean to each other, to our Health System's mission, and to our community. In addition to the centralized events sponsored by the PNSO, many local practice areas also take pride in sponsoring their own celebrations to honor nursing contributions.
- Learn about the PNSO's 2007 Week of the Nurse celebrations.
- Email the PNSO if interested in joining the 2008 planning effort!
"You are Recognized!" cards
Recognition cards are shared with nurses throughout the Health System to encourage in-the-moment feedback and recognition of excellence. The look of the "You Are Recognized!" cards is updated annually; supplies of these are available by contacting the PNSO Support Office.
Recognizing our Interdisciplinary Partners
- Say Thanks and Recognize (STAR) program - Similar to the Professional Nursing Specialty Recognition program, in the STAR program, direct care nurses and nursing leaders hold an appreciation event for our partners in other disciplines during their day/week of national observance. Large-scale events in June and August are also held in honor of the special partnerships RNs hold with Certified Nursing Assistants and Health Unit Coordinators.
- Annual "It Takes A Team" Award - Each year, the Week of the Nurse kicks off with nurses recognizing the contributions of a department or discipline that has been a special partner in patient care during the past year. The "It Takes A Team" award recipient is selected by PNSO members. Cabinet members solicit nominations from their liaison areas and then Cabinet votes to select the recipient. The recipient is honored with food, a framed "It Takes a Team" certificate and a book of personal messages of gratitude from nurses throughout the Health System.
Recognition Anytime
Orange RN Identification Tags: All RN staff wear with their nametag a bright-colored hang tag bearing the symbol ‘RN' visible below the main identification badge. Supported by Nursing Cabinet and UVAHS Administration, this initiative both promotes patient safety and satisfaction, and provides visible recognition for each UVA RN's important role as caregivers. Click here for more information
Health System staff are encouraged to recognize each other's contributions anytime, and to assist patients & families who wish to commend a special caregiver. These opportunities include: