In 1999, to further recognize exceptional nurses caring for patients, the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania added another accolade, The Patient Choice Award. In the Spring of that year, a press release was issued asking patients to write a letter describing a nurse who has touched their lives or the lives of their families in an unforgettable way. One nurse was chosen from the many letters which were received, and we've been requesting to hear your stories ever since!

Now, after witnessing the amazing efforts of our front-line nurses during this pandemic, we are expanding the award category to include a team award. Please consider honoring either an individual nurse (using a separate nomination form) or a nursing team/unit (using this form) to receive this prestigious recognition.

Has a special nursing team impacted YOUR life?
Write a letter with no more than 500 words, and tell us how this nursing team impacted you or your family. If your letter is selected, you (the nominator) and a spokesperson for the team will be invited to accept the award and honor this special group at the Nightingale Awards Gala in Harrisburg on Friday, October 27, 2023. The team will receive an acknowledgment never to be forgotten. This award is a time-honored tradition and a highlight of our gala!
Nomination Process

• Write a letter describing the nursing team who impacted you or a family member in an unforgettable manner. The chosen letter will be read aloud at the Awards Gala in the Fall. You may not nominate yourself or members of your family.
• Provide the nursing team or unit name, a contact name for that team/unit, and ahospital or facility name.
• Provide your contact information.
• PLEASE NOTE that within this nomination category, you may only nominate ONE NURSING TEAM within each submission. If you would like to nominate an individual nurse, please use the Patient Choice INDIVIDUAL NURSE Award Nomination form.

In 1999, to further recognize exceptional nurses caring for patients, the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania added another accolade, The Patient Choice Award. In the Spring of that year, a press release was issued asking patients to write a letter describing a nurse who has touched their lives or the lives of their families in an unforgettable way. One nurse was chosen from the many letters which were received, and we've been requesting to hear your stories ever since!

Has a special nurse impacted YOUR life?

Write a letter with no more than 500 words, and tell us about your beloved nurse and the care they provided, as well as the impact they made on you and your family. If your letter is selected, you (the nominator) and the nurse will be invited to attend the annual Nightingale Awards Gala in Harrisburg to honor this special nurse on Friday, October 27, 2023. Your nurse will receive an acknowledgment never to be forgotten. This award is a time-honored tradition and a highlight of our gala!

Application Process

• Write a letter describing a nurse who impacted you or a family member in an unforgettable manner. The chosen letter will be read aloud at the Awards Gala in the Fall. You may not nominate yourself or a member of your family.
• Provide the nurse's name and place of employment.
• Provide your contact information.
• PLEASE NOTE that within this nomination category, you may only nominate ONE INDIVIDUAL nurse within each submission, not a nursing unit or group of nurses. If you would like to nominate a team of nurses, please use the Patient Choice NURSING TEAM Award Nomination form.

This category is for Nurse-Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Anesthetists, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Masters-prepared nurses working in an advanced practice setting.  

Application Process: Please Read Carefully

• Submit contact information for the nominee, nominator, and CNO.
• Provide information about the nominee's education, certifications, community involvement, honors/awards, professional memberships, etc.
• Answer the required questions about the nominee's excellence in nursing.
• Obtain signatures from the following people: nominator (yourself); the nominee/candidate; and the CNO, Director or CEO. Download the signature form here (PDF File). You will then upload the completed signature form, where indicated, toward the bottom of this submission form. NOTE: You can have everyone sign the form separately and upload multiple documents - each with one signature - if it is easier. 

The application, including all required materials, must be complete at the time of submission to be considered.  

Selection Criteria

• Enhances Quality Patient Care
• Exhibits Excellence in the Nursing Process
• Utilizes Exemplary Interpersonal and Leadership Skills
• Contributes to the Advancement of Nursing
• Participates in Community Affairs

Nominees must live and work in Pennsylvania to be considered.  

Nurses nominated for this award are recognized for providing an outstanding quality of patient care, superior nursing clinical skills, and extraordinary compassion. Exceptional communication skills enhance their contribution to the health needs of the community while advancing the profession.

Application Process: Please Read Carefully

• Submit contact information for the nominee, nominator, and CNO. 
• Provide information about the nominee's education, certifications, community involvement, honors/awards, professional memberships, etc.
• Answer the required questions about the nominee's excellence in nursing.
• Obtain signatures from the following people: nominator (yourself); the nominee/candidate; and the CNO, Director or CEO. Download the signature form here (PDF). You will then upload the completed signature form, where indicated, toward the bottom of this submission form. NOTE: You can have everyone sign the form separately and upload multiple documents - each with one signature - if it is easier. 

The application, including all required materials, must be complete at the time of submission to be considered.  

Selection Criteria

• Enhances Quality Patient Care
• Exhibits Excellence in the Nursing Process
• Utilizes Exemplary Interpersonal and Leadership Skills
• Participates in Community Affairs

Nominees must live and work in Pennsylvania to be considered.  

Application Process: Please Read Carefully

• Submit contact information for the nominee, nominator, and CNO. 
• Provide information about the nominee's education, certifications, community involvement, honors/awards, professional memberships, etc.
• Answer the required questions about the nominee's excellence in nursing.
• Obtain signatures from the following people: nominator (yourself); the nominee/candidate; and the CNO, Director or CEO. Download the signature form here (PDF). You will then upload the completed signature form, where indicated, toward the bottom of this submission form. NOTE: You can have everyone sign the form separately and upload multiple documents - each with one signature - if it is easier.

The application, including all required materials, must be complete at the time of submission to be considered.

Selection Criteria

• Exhibits healthcare improvements and contributions via leadership, practice, and clinical scholarship
• Demonstrates noteworthy involvement or influence in healthcare policy and advocacy
• Contributes to interprofessional collaboration and improves patient and/or population health
• Significantly contributes to the advancement of nursing practice

Nominees must live and work in Pennsylvania to be considered.  

This category is for non-acute care nurses, i.e. Hospice/Home Care, Parish Nurse, School Nurse. Nurses nominated for this award are recognized for providing outstanding quality of patient care, superior nursing clinical skills, and extraordinary compassion. Exceptional communication skills enhance their contribution to the health needs of the community while advancing the profession.

Application Process: Please Read Carefully

• Submit contact information for the nominee, nominator, and CNO. 
• Provide information about the nominee's education, certifications, community involvement, honors/awards, professional memberships, etc.
• Answer the required questions about the nominee's excellence in nursing.
• Obtain signatures from the following people: nominator (yourself); the nominee/candidate; and the CNO, Director, or CEO. Download the signature form here (PDF). You will then upload the completed signature form, where indicated, toward the bottom of this submission form. NOTE: You can have everyone sign the form separately and upload multiple documents - each with one signature - if it is easier. 

The application, including all required materials, must be complete at the time of submission to be considered.  

Selection Criteria

• Enhances Quality Patient Care
• Exhibits Excellence in the Nursing Process
• Utilizes Exemplary Interpersonal and Leadership Skills
• Participates in Community Affairs

Nominees must live and work in Pennsylvania to be considered.  

Curricula within the DNP framework builds on traditional graduate programs by providing education in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership, among other key areas.
Nominees for this award exhibit healthcare improvements and contributions via practice and clinical scholarship; demonstrate noteworthy involvement or influence in healthcare policy and advocacy; contribute to inter-professional collaboration and improve patient and/or population health; and significantly contribute to the advancement of nursing practice.

Application Process: Please Read Carefully

• Submit contact information for the nominee, nominator, and CNO. 
• Provide information about the nominee's education, certifications, community involvement, honors/awards, professional memberships, etc.
• Answer the required questions about the nominee's excellence in nursing.
• Obtain signatures from the following people: thenominator (yourself); the nominee/candidate; and the CNO, Director, or CEO. Download the signature form here (PDF). You will then upload the completed signature form, where indicated, toward the bottom of this submission form. NOTE: You can have everyone sign the form separately and upload multiple documents - each with one signature - if it is easier.

The application, including all required materials, must be complete at the time of submission to be considered.  

Selection Criteria

• Exhibits healthcare improvements and contributions via leadership, practice, and clinical scholarship
• Demonstrates noteworthy involvement or influence in healthcare policy and advocacy
• Contributes to interprofessional collaboration and improves patient and/or population health
• Significantly contributes to the advancement of nursing practice

Nominees must live and work in Pennsylvania to be considered.  

Nurse administrators nominated for this award are recognized for creating and sustaining supportive environments for the practice of nursing in challenging and diverse arenas. The nominees for this award initiate positive recruitment and retention strategies and support a model of professional practice in their organization through their leadership, innovation, mentoring, and knowledge of the healthcare needs of their communities.

The emphasis for this award category is on a (non-executive) clinical practice leader/manager. An individual who influences the quality of patient care with a focus on infrastructure support and positive clinical outcomes.

Application Process: Please Read Carefully

• Submit contact information for the nominee, nominator, and CNO. 
• Provide information about the nominee's education, certifications, community involvement, honors/awards, professional memberships, etc.
• Answer the required questions about the nominee's excellence in nursing.
• Obtain signatures from the following people: the nominator (yourself); the nominee/candidate; and the CNO, Director, or CEO. Download the signature form here (PDF). You will then upload the completed signature form, where indicated, toward the bottom of this submission form. NOTE: You can have everyone sign the form separately and upload multiple documents - each with one signature - if it is easier.

The application, including all required materials, must be complete at the time of submission to be considered.  

Selection Criteria

• Creates a Supportive Environment for the Practice of Nursing
• Influences the Quality of Patient Care
• Utilizes Professional Standards to Advance Nursing Practice
• Initiates Positive Recruitment and Retention Strategies
• Manages Effective Resource Utilization

Nominees must live and work in Pennsylvania to be considered.  

Nurse administrators nominated for this award are recognized for creating and sustaining supportive environments for the practice of nursing in challenging and diverse arenas. The nominees for this award initiate positive recruitment and retention strategies and support a model of professional practice in their organization through their leadership, innovation, mentoring, and knowledge of the healthcare needs of their communities.  

The emphasis for this award category is on an upper level of nursing leadership and management (CEO, CNO, or Director level). An individual who demonstrates visionary leadership, implements innovations, and promotes effective financial stewardship of operational human resources.  

Application Process: Please Read Carefully

• Submit contact information for the nominee, nominator, and CNO or CEO, as appropriate. 
• Provide information about the nominee's education, certifications, community involvement, honors/awards, professional memberships, etc.
• Answer the required questions about the nominee's excellence in nursing.
• Obtain signatures from the following people: the nominator (yourself); the nominee/candidate; and the CNO, Director, or CEO. Download the signature form here (PDF). You will then upload the completed signature form, where indicated, toward the bottom of this submission form. NOTE: You can have everyone sign the form separately and upload multiple documents - each with one signature - if it is easier.

 The application, including all required materials, must be complete at the time of submission to be considered.   

Selection Criteria

• Creates a Supportive Environment for the Practice of Nursing
• Influences the Quality of Patient Care
• Utilizes Professional Standards to Advance Nursing Practice
• Initiates Positive Recruitment and Retention Strategies
• Manages Effective Resource Utilization

Nominees must live and work in Pennsylvania to be considered.  

The search for knowledge holds promise for the future. Nurse educators nominated for this award demonstrate the ability to inspire nursing students and practicing nurses. They creatively stimulate students and colleagues to pursue the knowledge and skills needed to practice nursing compassionately and effectively.

The emphasis for this award category is on scholarly research and dissemination of research through education.  An individual who is an inspiration to students and cultivates a supportive learning environment.  

Application Process: Please Read Carefully

• Submit contact information for the nominee, nominator, and CNO. 
• Provide information about the nominee's education, certifications, community involvement, honors/awards, professional memberships, etc.
• Answer the required questions about the nominee's excellence in nursing.
• Obtain signatures from the following people: the nominator (yourself); the nominee/candidate; and the CNO, Director, or CEO. Download the signature form here (PDF). You will then upload the completed signature form, where indicated, toward the bottom of this submission form. NOTE: You can have everyone sign the form separately and upload multiple documents - each with one signature - if it is easier. 

The application, including all required materials, must be complete at the time of submission to be considered.

Selection Criteria

• Inspires students to pursue the knowledge and skills needed to practice effectively
• Maintains excellence in clinical practice
• Provides a creative and supportive learning environment
• Shares knowledge appropriately with others

Nominees must live and work in Pennsylvania to be considered.  

The search for knowledge holds promise for the future. Nurse educators nominated for this award demonstrate the ability to inspire nursing students and practicing nurses. They creatively stimulate students and colleagues to pursue the knowledge and skills needed to practice nursing compassionately and effectively.

The emphasis for this award category is on promoting evidence-based practices within a clinical setting.  An individual who strives for clinical practice excellence and shares knowledge with others.   

Application Process: Please Read Carefully 

• Submit contact information for the nominee, nominator, and CNO. 
• Provide information about the nominee's education, certifications, community involvement, honors/awards, professional memberships, etc.
• Answer the required questions about the nominee's excellence in nursing.
• Obtain signatures from the following people: the nominator (yourself); the nominee/candidate; and the CNO, Director, or CEO. Download the signature form here (PDF). You will then upload the completed signature form, where indicated, toward the bottom of this submission form. NOTE: You can have everyone sign the form separately and upload multiple documents - each with one signature - if it is easier. 

The application, including all required materials, must be complete at the time of submission to be considered.  

Selection Criteria 

• Inspires colleagues to pursue the knowledge and skills needed to practice effectively
• Maintains excellence in clinical practice
• Provides a creative and supportive learning environment
• Shares knowledge appropriately with others

Nominees must live and work in Pennsylvania to be considered.  

Nursing research is the foundation of current nursing practice and the basis for future nursing practice. Nominees for this award are committed to excellence in nursing practice through research. These nurse researchers receive grants and publish findings that enhance nursing practice education and patient care in academic and clinical practice settings.

Application Process: Please Read Carefully 

• Submit contact information for the nominee, nominator, and CNO. 
• Provide information about the nominee's education, certifications, community involvement, honors/awards, professional memberships, etc.
• Answer the required questions about the nominee's excellence in nursing.
• Obtain signatures from the following people: the nominator (yourself); the nominee/candidate; and the CNO, Director, or CEO. Download the signature form here (PDF). You will then upload the completed signature form, where indicated, toward the bottom of this submission form. NOTE: You can have everyone sign the form separately and upload multiple documents - each with one signature - if it is easier. 

The application, including all required materials, must be complete at the time of submission to be considered.

Selection Criteria 

• Conducts Research that Enhances Nursing Practice
• Utilizes Research Findings in Practice
• Assists Others in the Utilization of Nursing Research Findings
• Inspires/Supports Others in the Conduct of Nursing Research
• Communicates and Publishes Research Findings
• Acquires Research Grants

Nominees must live and work in Pennsylvania to be considered.