I. Purpose:

The SC School Nurse (RN) 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 Registered Nurse (RN) practicing in a school setting who has made outstanding contributions to school nursing practice.

II. Eligibility Criteria:

A. Registered 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 a Registered Nurse 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 individuals, agencies and organizations in the community in order to expand and improve school health services.
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 Registered Nurses such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) or the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) / South Carolina Association of School Nurses (SCASN).
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 RNs. The preferred Selection Committee will consist of three members of the South Carolina Association of School Nurses, one member of the School Nurse Program Advisory Committee and one RN member from the Annual School Nurse Conference Planning Committee.
D. The Selection Committee members, acting with complete regard for the confidentiality of the process, will consider all of the nominees 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 Nurse (RN) of the Year 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:
Jeanie Davis, RN
Lee County School District

2005/2006 Winner:
Carolyn Duff
Richland School District One

2006/2007 Winner:
Andrea Williams
Richland School District One

2007 Winner:
Barbara Ramsbottom
Horry County School District