I. Purpose:

The SC School Health LPN of the Year Award is presented annually by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control and the SC Department of Education to publicly recognize and honor a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who has made outstanding contributions to school nursing practice.

II. Eligibility Criteria:

A. Licensed Practical Nurse currently practicing as a full time nurse in a South Carolina school setting.
B. A minimum of three years experience in school nursing.
C. Consistently demonstrates outstanding commitment, competence, and compassion in the provision of health services in a school setting.
D. Previous nomination does not preclude re-nomination.
E. Past recipients may not be re-nominated.
F. A current nomination form must be completed by an LPN or RN who is currently practicing nursing in a school setting in South Carolina. Self-nomination is permitted.

III. Weighting Factors:

A. Evidence of ability to work with clients in the context of family.
B. Documentation that nominee is actively seeking personal and professional advancement through nursing education and/or continuing education activities.
C. Membership and active participation in a nursing organization for Licensed Practical Nurses such as the National Federation for Licensed Practical Nurses or membership with the National Association of School Nurses / SC Association of School Nurses.
D. Completed nomination form with required documentation. (Letters of support from other disciplines may be submitted.)

IV. Selection Process:

A. Nomination instructions and forms will be distributed to nurses practicing in school settings by the chairperson for the School Nurse Awards Committee at least four weeks prior to the SC Annual School Nurse Conference.
B. All complete nomination packets received by the deadline date will be considered for the Award.
C. Nomination packets will be distributed to the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee, which is appointed by the State School Health Nurse Consultant, will consist of five LPNs. The preferred Selection Committee will be comprised of at least one member of the SC Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, one LPN member of the Annual School Nurse Conference Planning Committee, and three members at-large.
D. The Selection Committee members, acting with complete regard for the confidentiality of the process, will consider all of the nominations submitted.
E. Each member of the Selection Committee will individually and independently review each nomination and select the candidate that s/he feels is most deserving of the Award. Each Selection Committee member will submit the name of his/her choice for the School Health LPN of the Year Award in writing to the chairperson of the School Nurse Awards Committee.
F. Votes will be tabulated to determine the recipient of the Award.
G. Nominees will be notified of their nomination and requested to attend the Awards Luncheon at the SC Annual School Nurse Conference.
H. The Award recipient will be announced during the Awards Luncheon at the SC Annual School Nurse Conference.

To request a copy of the nomination form, contact the lead nurse in your school district or Cathy Young-Jones, School Health Nurse Consultant, at youngjcm@dhec.sc.gov. Nomination forms are available at www.scdhec.gov/health/mch/wcs/school/noyaward.htm.

2004/2005 Winner:
Susan Bennett, LPN
Charleston County School District

2006/2007 Winner:
Cynthia Halewood
Charleston County School District

2007 Winner:
Susan Plyler
Lancaster County School District