Tuesday 13 April 2010
Time is running out for members of the community to nominate a nurse and/or midwife for the NT 2010 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, with nominations closing this Friday 16 April 2010.
The seventh annual Awards are an opportunity to nominate a nurse or midwife who excels in their profession, and 2010 is shaping up as the most competitive ever, according to Principal Nursing Adviser Greg Rickard.
"Nurses and midwives are so important to our community - they are often the first and most constant point of contact for patients at health clinics, care facilities and hospitals, as well as supporting people in their homes," Mr Rickard said.
"The Territory has some of Australia's most professional, talented and caring individuals - recruitment and retention figures for nurses and midwives in the NT are high, which demonstrates how much they enjoy the challenges and rewards of working here.
"The NT 2010 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards recognise the fantastic work of nursing and midwifery professionals, and all nominations are judged against criteria including outstanding care, advocacy, continuing education, and willingness to share personal philosophy," Mr Rickard said.
All nurses and midwives currently employed in the NT are eligible for nomination. Nominations fall into following categories:
- Acute care
- Aged care
- Community
- General Practice
- Graduate of the Year
- Living Legend
- Mental Health
- Midwifery
- Professional
- Remote
- Enrolled Nurses
Winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on the evening of Wednesday, 12 May 2010 at Parliament House, hosted by NT Minister for Health and Families, Kon Vatskalis. The event coincides with International Nurses Day, marked around the world in honour of the anniversary of nursing reformist Florence Nightingale's birth.
The winner from each category winner will automatically qualify for the overall 'Nurse or Midwife of the Year' Award. Those in the running can win prizes up to the value of $2000.
To nominate an excellent Nurse or Midwife, and for the full list of nomination criteria, visit www.nursing.nt.gov.au.
Information about Florence Nightingale:
Florence Nightingale pioneered the establishment of the nursing profession, and the entry of women into the profession. During her service as a nurse during the Crimean War (1854-6) she arrived at a barracks hospital with a party of 38 fellow nurses, who were initially turned away by the doctors. As the war went on, the nurses were recognised as a vital part of the medical team.
In 1860, Florence Nightingale established the nursing school at St Thomas's Hospital in London, the first secular nursing school in the world. Her work led to reform in hospitals, and established the foundations of the nursing profession as we know it today.
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