Time is running out to nominate a Great Nurse

In its 12th year, the 100 Great Iowa Nurses program hopes to reach every corner of the state

There is still time to recognize outstanding Iowa nurses who have gone above and beyond. The 100 Great Iowa Nurses program is pleased to accept nominations through December 31 at www.greatnurses.org. Over the past 11 years the program has recognized 1,100 Great Iowa Nurses. Each year, the program celebrates 100 nurses across the state whose courage, competence, and commitment to patients and the nursing profession stand out above all others.

Patients, coworkers, friends and family members have nominated exceptional nurses from 93 of Iowa's 99 counties. 100 Great Iowa Nurses Fundraising Chair Liz Swanson says, "We couldn't be more pleased with the abundance of nominations we've seen in the last decade; our hope is to recognize the great work that nurses do in every county in Iowa."

100 Great Iowa Nurses hopes to continue to see statewide support for nurses, as well as an increase in nominations from the counties that have not yet been recognized: Fremont, Howard, Monona, Page, Van Buren, and Worth.

Nurses selected for this honor represent many sectors of health care, working as nurses in hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, and offices. They come from all practice areas, including acute care, sub-acute care, school nursing, parish nursing, nurse leadership, and academics.

The 100 honorees are recognized each year in Des Moines at the annual 100 Great Iowa Nurses Celebration. This is a meaningful event for the honorees as well as their nominators.

"I was flabbergasted when I received notification that I was chosen. It was a great honor that I will never forget. I am a nurse leader now, and have been for years, but it really made me think that those patients you have touched will never forget the care you provided them," says 2014 100 Great Iowa Nurse honoree Patti Peterson, MHA, BSN, RN, CEN, Director of Emergency Services, PICC Team, Infusion Center, for Mercy Family Health Line.

After undergoing a two-part review process, 100 Great Iowa Nurses are honored each year at a ceremony created for the state of Iowa by nurse and community leaders. On May 1, 2016, 100 Great Iowa Nurses will gather to be honored at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The celebration is an annual prelude to National Nurses Week, which begins on May 6 and ends on May 12 (the birthday of Florence Nightingale).

This statewide initiative is made possible through generous donations from our sponsors and supporters. In addition to recognizing 100 Great Iowa Nurses every year, the program also offers financial awards to nursing students. Current and future nurses across Iowa are encouraged to apply for financial award opportunities to complete or further their nursing education. Applications can be found at www.greatnurses.org/financialawards.

CONTACT: Cassie Raasch or Leah Grout Garris, Communications and Marketing, 100 Great Iowa Nurses, (319) 335-7003, info@greatnurses.org

###

The 100 Great Iowa Nurses program announces that scholarship applications will now be accepted through March 16, 2015. 

Iowa City, IA (February 25, 2015) - Each year, the 100 Great Iowa Nurses program recognizes 100 nurses across the state whose courage, competence, and commitment to patients and the nursing profession stand out above all others. Patients, coworkers, friends, and family members nominate an outstanding nurse for recognition. 100 Great Iowa Nurses are honored each year at a ceremony created for the state of Iowa by nurse and community leaders.

This statewide event belongs to the people of Iowa, and is made possible through the generous support of sponsors. In addition to recognizing 100 Great Iowa Nurses every year, the program also offers scholarship support to nursing students at all levels of education. The 100 Great Iowa Nurses Scholarships promote professional nursing in Iowa by supporting the continued education of future nurse leaders. Applicants must:

• Commit to advancing their education and professional goals of enhancing the delivery of quality health care in Iowa through practice, research, and/or teaching
• Be full- or part-time students attending an approved ADN, BSN, or MSN nursing program, or a PhD in Nursing program or related field, such as education

Current and future nurses across Iowa are encouraged to apply for available scholarship opportunities to complete or further their nursing education. Scholarship applications can be found at www.greatnurses.org/scholarships.

This year's celebration will be held May 3, 2015 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The celebration is an annual prelude to National Nurses Week, which begins on May 6 and ends on May 12 (the birthday of Florence Nightingale).

About 100 Great Iowa Nurses

100 Great Iowa Nurses is a nonprofit program that honors great nurses in Iowa, and funds scholarships to support the education of Iowa nurses. Established in 2004, the program recognizes qualities that demonstrate efforts beyond those expected of a nurse within his/her normal duties, such as concern for humanity, significant contribution to the profession, and mentoring. For more information, visit www.greatnurses.org.

CONTACT: Cassie Raasch, Communications and Marketing, 100 Great Iowa Nurses, 319-335-7003, info@greatnurses.org