Cherokee Inspired Comfort Awards Honor Exceptional Nurses

Nurses don’t get enough recognition—agreed? There are precious few opportunities to showcase nurses who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them in their workaday world. I am sure many of you know a nurse who has earned your admiration because of an exceptional caring act and here is your chance to put the spotlight on that nurse.

Since 2003 Cherokee Uniforms, a leading supplier of medical attire, has sponsored the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Awards, that laud outstanding service, sacrifice and innovation by non-physician health care workers. Cherokee’s mission is to bring attention to the tremendous skills of and the work performed by those in health care. Such acts are most often underreported, if at all, leaving the public unaware of the significant impact the compassion and devotion exhibited by these individuals have on the lives of others.

Nominations for the 2009 awards are open until May 31. Details can be found at http://www.inspiredcomfort.com/ ---click on award resources. If you wonder about what to say in your nomination (which can be done entirely online) or the sorts of exceptional achievements (there is a broad spectrum) that qualify for recognition, you can find direction and inspiration by taking a look at the letters of nomination for the 2008 winners on the Web site. There are five award categories: RNs, Advanced Practice Nurses, LPN/LVN, student nurses and other non-physician health care professionals.

Within each award category is a grand prize winner, plus several top national winners in addition to several national winners. The prize packages are generous and there are even prizes for those whose nominee wins the grand prize.

I nominated a nurse for the 2008 award because I was so impressed by her efforts in helping end-of-life patients with projects that tie up loose ends, whatever they may be, allowing the patients to achieve peace of mind and, therefore, to have more peaceful deaths. My nominee was honored to be selected a top national winner. Just because she was not a grand prize winner doesn’t mean I was not rewarded. There is immense satisfaction in knowing my nominee received several wonderful prizes and that national recognition was focused on her and her profoundly touching project.

I urge each of you to nominate a deserving health care professional for the Inspired Comfort Award. Cherokee will donate $1 to Nurses House, a non-profit that assists nurses in dire financial need, for each nomination received for the Award. Look at the benefits: you get to honor an extraordinary person, feature his/her acts of compassion, raise funds for a charity that helps nurses, perhaps see your nominee showered with prizes (grand prize is a cruise for two!), maybe receive prizes for yourself and definitely feel good that you made the effort.

Nurses rock!