The 'Amazing Nurses' Contest: Celebrating America's Caregivers

Newswise, July 28, 2011 — The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future, as part of its ongoing campaign to support nurses and nursing education, is honored to sponsor the "Amazing Nurses" national contest to celebrate and reward the important role that these valued caretakers play in our communities.

Nursing is one of the most important professions in this country, yet over the past decade the United States has experienced a profound shortage of nurses, and the national vacancy rate for registered nurses (RN) currently stands at more than 4 percent. Consequently, long term programs to support the profession are crucial.

Recognizing that nurses are the critical backbone of medical care in emergency rooms, hospitals, military facilities, clinics, schools, homeless shelters and nursing homes, Johnson & Johnson has created the "Amazing Nurses" contest to provide an opportunity for families, patients and communities to celebrate the contributions of individual nurses.

Anyone can nominate a nurse who has had a significant impact on their or a loved one's life by going tohttp://www.facebook.com/jnjnursingnotes. The winning "Amazing Nurse" and a guest will receive a trip to Los Angeles, to attend the 2011 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute show this December. The winner will also be featured in a TV commercial on CNN, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.

"Johnson & Johnson has long supported nurses through awareness initiatives, local education and appreciation programs, and 'Amazing Nurses' is yet another example of a terrific program that we can all participate in to provide the national recognition so richly deserved by the countless hardworking and devoted American nurses," said Andrea Higham, director of The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future. 

For nearly a decade, The Campaign for Nursing's Future has worked in cooperation with professional nursing organizations, schools, hospitals and other healthcare groups to promote opportunities in nursing and increase awareness of the value of the nursing profession. "Amazing Nurses" extends these efforts by going well beyond congratulating nurses in general to acknowledging that individual nurses must also be recognized and appreciated by their families, patients and communities.

"Nurses play an incredibly important role in our communities, and we're committed to supporting this profession and highlighting their important and life-saving work," Andrea said. "We have seen the impact of building awareness of the shortage of nurses and nurse faculty, as well as the benefits of a career in nursing." 
The Campaign also features two comprehensive websites: www.discovernursing.com  for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing and www.campaignfornursing.com  designed to address nurse and nurse faculty retention and professional development.

About The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future
The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future is a multi-year, $50-million national initiative designed to enhance the image of the nursing profession, recruit new nurses and nurse faculty, and help retain nurses currently in the profession. Launched in February 2002, the Campaign works in cooperation with professional nursing organizations, schools, hospitals and other health care groups to promote opportunities in nursing and increase awareness of the value of the nursing profession to our society and America's health care community. In 2006, the Campaign was awarded the 2004-2005 Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership. The Award is presented to companies that have demonstrated a deep commitment to innovative initiatives that not only empower employees and communities, but also advance strategic business interests.

About "Amazing Nurses" Contest
Participants must be U.S. residents and 18 years of age or older. NOMINEES MUST BE RNs, LPNs, OR AN ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE currently employed in that capacity, a legal U.S. resident, residing in the U.S. and twenty-one (21) years of age or older at time of nomination. Nomination period begins on 7/25/11 at 12:01 a.m. ("ET") and ends on 9/11/11 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Public voting of semi-finalists starts at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Sponsored by: Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ.