Background

Globally there are 3.8 million newborn deaths each year. Three quarters of these deaths are in South Asia and Sub Saharan Africa. Meeting the global Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 for child survival will be increasingly determined by how well countries can reduce newborn deaths as now around 43% of under-five deaths globally are newborn deaths. Despite the fact that nurses provide the majority of care to sick newborns in health facilities, very few nurses have the opportunity to work with or specialise in newborn care, which makes staffing neonatal units extremely difficult. There is an acute shortage of neonatal nurses internationally but in particular within low-resource countries where there is a desperate need for a national neonatal nursing advanced practice qualification.

The Conference theme “Excellence against all odds – Researching solutions for global challenges” reflects the aim of all neonatal nurses to constantly give of their best in their pursuit of excellence in patient care. Too often nurses receive little or no recognition for providing excellent care against all odds.

ICNN together with Save the Children, COINN and NNASA would like to recognise and encourage excellence in neonatal nursing. We are therefore pleased and proud to announce the launch of the
INTERNATIONAL NEONATAL NURSING EXCELLENCE AWARDS
to be presented at each ICNN to two nurses working in newborn care in a low- or middle-income country where 99% of the world’s newborn deaths occur.

A nominator must submit the form below along with an accompanying letter justifying the nominee’s demonstrated excellence in nursing by 30th April 2010. The nominations will be reviewed by a panel and winners will be notified by 1st June 2010. The two winners will have their travel and expenses paid to attend the Conference and will be presented with their award at the opening ceremonies. Runners-up will be identified and acknowledged.


Selection Criteria

A nominee should -

• Provide an example of “excellence against all odds”
• Exhibit superior qualities in a neonatal nursing role
• Be actively working in the public or non-profit health sector, in clinical work, education, research or outreach
• Be a positive role model – dynamic, motivated, passionate, an agent for change· Demonstrate excellence in clinical practice or in management of clinical practice
• Remain up to date with current neonatal nursing practice
• Promote and participate in building a positive work environment, including staff growth, mentorship, learning and development
• Show compassion and empathy for co-workers, newborns and their families· Participate in some form of outreach beyond the unit or day-to-day tasks· Be working in a low- or middle-income country

Application instructions

• A nominator’s letter of support must accompany this application. The letter should clearly address the selection criteria and provide specific examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in nursing, including examples of nominee’s leadership qualities and impact in the area of newborn care.

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A NURSE ONLINE  OR DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION TO SUBMIT MANUALLY