Receiving an award for a job well done is an accomplishment for anyone! Receiving a nursing excellence award showcases the culture and commitment of an organization to their nurses, their patients, and their community. It is one of the highest compliments a health care organization can receive.
The passageway to a nursing excellence award can be difficult. The work and dedication to create a culture worthy of recognition must involve the entire organization. The organization must be committed to shared decision-making, quality, research, evidence-based practice, well-being, professional development, autonomy, and strategic planning (just to name a few). Although they can be challenging, it is these commitments that lead an organization to a nursing excellence award.
How do you create such a culture and commitment?
Involve nurses at every level of the organization. The clinical staff know what is occurring at the bedside and the leaders know the vision for the organization. Together, with the assistance of everyone in the organization, they can form an atmosphere of growth and lifelong learning. Create a culture of excellence with strong beliefs, values, behaviors, & basic underlying assumptions that runs to the very core of the organization (Guanci, Feel the Pull 2016). This persuasive, passionate culture will lead you to multiple nursing excellence awards and beyond!
Ruth’s career has spanned over 30 years with a large health system where she has held progressive leadership roles including Risk Manager, Director of Surgical Services, Clinical Project Director, and Magnet® Program Director. Ruth has extensive experience with successful Magnet® designation, and a proven track record of improved outcomes.
