FAQs: Frequently asked questions (Nursing-focused)

The Nursing Truly Awards were established to inspire every Northwell Health and Nuvance team member to recognize the invaluable contributions of our nurses. Their compassion and dedication not only transform the lives of their patients but also uplifts their colleagues and strengthens our communities. Through the Nursing Truly Awards, we celebrate the profound positive impact our nurses have on all of us. 

Each day, more than 22,000 registered nurses embrace Northwell’s mission to be a national health care leader, committed to compassionate care and clinical excellence for the health and well-being of our community, across the continuum of care. Northwell nurses are in more than 1,050 ambulatory care locations and 28 hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home care, and hospice care spanning our regions. For more information about Northwell Nursing, please visit https://professionals.northwell.edu/nursing.

All Northwell Health team members and physicians: You can nominate using your Northwell universal ID and password.  

All Nuvance Health team members and physicians can nominate both Northwell and Nuvance employed physicians using your Nuvance email.  

Please Note: Nurses cannot self-nominate. 

Nuvance Team Members: How to log in and nominate (Magic Link process)   

1. Go to the Nominate Now page on TrulyAwards.northwell.edu.  
2. Click the "Nuvance Login" button. 
3. Enter your Nuvance email address and click "Send Magic Link." 
4. Check your email for a passwordless login link. 
5. Click the link in the email. This will take you back to the Nominate Now page, where you can begin your nominations. 

All full-time employed registered nurses are eligible to be nominated for six Nursing Truly Awards categories: Truly Caring Touch, Truly Innovative, Truly Rising Star, Truly Collaborative, Truly Inclusive, and Truly Nursing Leadership (clinical and senior leadership). 

Eligibility requirement distinctions for certain Nursing Truly Award categories: 

• For each of the six categories: Employed as a full-time or part-time Registered Nurse at Northwell for more than two years.  
• Nursing Truly Rising Star Award: Employed at Northwell for up to five years. 
• Nursing Truly Leadership Award: 
  • Clinical Nurse Leadership Award*: Assistant Nurse Manager, Clinical Professional Development Educator, Nurse Manager, Senior Nurse Manager, and Assistant Directors. 
  • Nursing Truly Leadership Award: Director-level position or above. 

Note: Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, and Advance Practice Providers including Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are not currently eligible for The Nursing Truly Awards.  

*Clinical Nurse Leadership titles include:

• Supervisor (assistant manager, assistant nurse manager, assist head nurse, nurse supervisor, supervisor) 
• Manager (assistant director, manager, Clinical Professional Development Educator, nurse manager, practice and program manager)
• Senior Manager (assistant director, senior manager, senior clinical educator, senior nurse manager)

If you would like to check on the eligibility of a specific nurse, please email TrulyAwards@northwell.edu.

The Nursing Truly Awards are designed to align with Northwell Health's values: Truly Compassionate, Truly Innovative, Truly Ambitious, Truly Together, and Truly Inclusive. Our values help guide how we act, and they inspire us to bring our best selves to work every day. The Nursing Truly Awards honor nurses who embody these values. Additionally, we added a sixth category to recognize our nursing leaders.  

Beginning Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, all Northwell and Nuvance team members, nurses, and physicians can nominate our registered nurses for eligible award categories. The nomination phase will be open through Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.   

• Only employed nurses are eligible to be nominated (see Nomination Criteria section for details). Nominations can only be submitted through The Nursing Truly Awards website at TrulyAwards.northwell.edu.
• A review will be conducted by human resources throughout the nomination phase to ensure nominees meet the criteria for eligibility. All nominations will be reviewed by the Nursing Scoring Panel, which includes nurses who are members of the Chief Nursing Officer Cabinet, Collaborative Care Council, High potentials, Clinical Professional Development Team members, and other system nursing leaders.  
• After the Nursing Scoring Panel, the top-ranked nominations will be reviewed by an Initial Selection Committee, which includes members of the Northwell Nurse Executive Council and other designated reviewers to determine the finalists.  
• The selection process will run through Dec. 2025. At that time, we will identify our top 35 finalists. Those finalists will move forward to the voting phase, where team members and nurses can cast their votes for one nurse to receive an award in each of the six award categories. 

All Northwell and Nuvance team members and nurses will be invited to vote on the finalists beginning Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, through Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Voting will take place on The Truly Awards website at TrulyAwards.northwell.edu.

• A Final Selection Committee will be engaged until early March 2026, to determine the nursing award recipients. The Final Selection Committee is representative of senior executives throughout Northwell Health and Nuvance. Voting results will be a factor in helping determine the six Nursing Truly Award recipients.  

Truly Awards Ambassadors play a vital role in championing this important program and encouraging participation. Empower yourself with resources designed to help you spread the word and inspire your colleagues to nominate and vote for deserving physicians. Download the 2025-26 Truly Awards Ambassador Toolkit ​​​​​​to get started. Have questions? Contact TrulyAwards@northwell.edu.   

To be eligible for The Nursing Truly Awards in the following categories: Truly Caring Touch, Truly Innovative, Truly Rising Star, Truly Collaborative, The Truly Inclusive, and Truly Nursing Leadership; nurses must meet the following criteria:  

• Full-time employed registered nurses of Northwell Health. Advance Practice Providers including Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Patient Care Associates (PCAs) flex staff and per diem nurses are not currently eligible for The Nursing Truly Awards.  
• Employed by Northwell for a minimum of two years from your original hire date (prior to August 1, 2023). 
• In good standing as determined by the Chief Nursing Officer, Human Resources and Northwell Compliance Office. 

Eligibility requirements for each Nursing Truly Award category: 

• Nursing Truly Awards (all six categories): Employed as a full-time or part-time Registered Nurse at Northwell for more than two years.  
• Nursing Truly Rising Star: Employed at Northwell for up to five years. 
• Nursing Truly Leadership: 
  • Clinical Nurse Leadership titles include: 
    • Supervisor (assistant manager, assistant nurse manager, assist head nurse, nurse supervisor, supervisor)   
    • Manager (assistant director, manager, clinical professional development educator, nurse manager, practice manager) 
    • Senior Manager (assistant director, senior manager, senior clinical educator, senior nurse manager) 
  • Senior Nurse Leadership titles include Director-level position or above. 

Please note: Nurses who hold a specific leadership title have been excluded from eligibility, including Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President.  

All Northwell Health team members and physicians: You can nominate using your Northwell universal ID and password.  

All Nuvance Health team members and physicians can nominate both Northwell and Nuvance employed physicians using your Nuvance email.  

Please Note: Nurses cannot self-nominate. 

Nuvance Team Members: How to log in and nominate (Magic Link process)   

1. Go to the Nominate Now page on TrulyAwards.northwell.edu.  
2. Click the "Nuvance Login" button. 
3. Enter your Nuvance email address and click "Send Magic Link." 
4. Check your email for a passwordless login link. 
5. Click the link in the email. This will take you back to the Nominate Now page, where you can begin your nominations. 

Nurses should possess attributes that align with the award for which they are nominated, and those attributes must be documented in the nomination submission. Nominators should provide specific examples to demonstrate the attributes of the person they are nominating. Read below for the award descriptions and attributes.     

Truly Caring Touch Award   

This registered nurse embodies compassionate care, going above and beyond to make a lasting impact on patients and colleagues alike. 

Attributes:  

• Connects with patients on a human level, delivering empathetic, holistic, respectful, and individualized care. This nurse ensures patients feel seen, heard, and valued. 
• Fosters a safe, trusting, and supportive environment for the entire healthcare team. This nurse prioritizes open communication, mutual respect, and collaborative efforts.  
• Exemplifies compassion in action, prioritizing the emotional, psychological, and physical well-being of each patient while contributing to a positive and supportive workplace.  

Truly Innovative Award  

This registered nurse embodies the spirit of innovation, leadership, and unwavering dedication to advancing the nursing profession and improving healthcare delivery.  

Attributes:  

• Is a lifelong learner, dedicated to evidence-based practice and improving healthcare delivery. 
• Actively seeks opportunities to expand their knowledge and elevate the standards of care and make a lasting impact on patients, colleagues, and the community. 
• Champions innovative solutions, and advocates for better patient care both within the hospital and in the community.  
• Is a true change agent, passionate about raising the bar for nursing care and making a lasting impact on the profession. 

Truly Rising Star Award  

This registered nurse who, though new to the profession (within their first five years of practice), consistently goes above and beyond to provide exceptional patient-centered care. 

Attributes:  

• Embodies the true spirit of caring, demonstrating a bright future as a leader in nursing. Possess genuine empathy, prioritizing their patients' physical, emotional, and psychological comfort.  
• Drive and foresight to shape the future of nursing, inspiring colleagues to strive for excellence in patient care. 
• Excels at communication, mentorship, and fostering a supportive environment. 
• Seeks opportunities to implement best practices, drive innovation, and champion initiatives that positively impact patient outcomes and the nursing profession as a whole. 

Truly Collaborative Award  

This registered nurse fosters a positive work environment, empowers colleagues, and elevates patient care nurse through collaboration and a commitment to shared goals. 

Attributes:   

• Empowers each other to contribute their unique skills and perspectives, creating a safe and encouraging environment for professional growth.   
• Champions continuous learning by sharing knowledge, skills, and best practices, fostering a culture of professional development. 
• Cultivates a positive and inclusive work environment built on open communication, mutual respect. 
• Develops and implements programs and processes focused on customer experience, thus strengthening the team and enhancing patient care. 

Truly Inclusive Award

This registered nurse exemplifies a commitment to advancing health outcomes for all, demonstrating an understanding of the importance of being responsive to the unique and individual needs of every patient and the family they serve. 

Attributes:  

• Provides care that shows respect and understanding of the unique and individual needs of every patient and family they serve. 
• Pursues opportunities to learn from others and fosters a culture where everyone feels respected, their voice is heard, and they are a valued member of the team. 
• Demonstrates a commitment to community health through active engagement, advocacy for vulnerable populations, and serving as a role model for civic responsibility. 

Truly Nursing Leadership Awards  

A clinical nurse leader (Assistant Nurse Manager to Assistant Director) who inspires and empowers teams to deliver exceptional patient care. 

-Or-

A senior nurse leader (Director and above) who is a visionary leader who empowers teams to achieve results and cultivates a culture of excellence. 

Attributes:  

• Seeks opportunities to implement evidence-based practices, drive innovation to elevate the standards of nursing care. 
• Advances nursing practice through strategic initiatives to promote a culture of excellence and actively contribute to improving patient outcomes. 
• Engages in professional organizations and contributes to decision-making processes that shape the future of healthcare. 
• Champions professional growth and development, mentoring others to assume leadership roles. 

All Northwell Health and Nuvance team members, nurses, and physicians can nominate one or more nurses for each award. You cannot nominate a nurse more than once for the same award, but you can nominate the same nurse for two or more different awards (where applicable). There is no limit to the number of nominations.  

Yes, you may also nominate the same nurse for either the same, or different award.

Double-check that you have searched for the individual correctly following the exact search naming convention described above the search box. Search for a nurse by entering only the nurse’s first name or last name. Start typing the first few letters of the nurse’s first name or last name, which populates a list of nurses with the closest matches. Scroll through the list and select the nurse you would like to nominate. You may need to wait a moment for the list oto populate. Please read all nomination form instructions carefully.   

If the nurse you are trying to nominate is not appearing in the search, he or she may not be an active full-time employed nurse, or he or she does not meet the criteria. 

See the nomination criteria under “Who can be nominated?” for more information or for assistance, contact TrulyAwards@northwell.edu for help with your search.

You can find an eligible registered nurse of Northwell Health by searching for his or her name within the nomination form. Once a nurse is selected in the search, the eligible awards that they are eligible for will appear in the awards drop-down menu. If you would like assistance to determine eligibility or do not see the name of a specific nurse, please email TrulyAwards@northwell.edu and a team member will respond in one to two business days.

Yes, you can save your nomination and submit it at a later time. We encourage you to frequently save your nomination as you add details to your submission. The site will save your work every five minutes but will automatically log you out after 30 minutes of inactivity. You may find your saved nominations at “My Account” > “My Nominations” > “In progress.” Each time a nomination form is started it will automatically save to your account.  

A confirmation message will appear on your screen after submitting the nomination form, which confirms that your nomination was received. You will also receive an email in your email inbox that confirms your nomination submission.  

Nominated nurses will be notified of their nomination after the nomination phase has ended.  

All nominated nurses receive multiple levels of recognition to highlight their extraordinary efforts and positive impact. These include organization-wide and leadership announcements, participation at The Nursing Truly Awards celebration event at their site, and a congratulatory certificate. Local recognition activities will include departmental communications and acknowledgements in honor of all nominated nurses at the hospital, practice, regional, and service line level.

Voting will take place on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, through Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.     

All Northwell and Nuvance team members and physicians are eligible to vote for The Truly Awards. This includes Nuvance team members voting for both Northwell and Nuvance employed physicians.   

Nuvance Team Members: How to log in and vote (Magic Link process)  

Nuvance team members will use a "Magic Link" to access the vote site:  

1. Go to the Vote Now page on TrulyAwards.northwell.edu.
2. Click the "Nuvance Login" button.  
3. Enter your Nuvance email address and click "Send Magic Link."  
4. Check your email for a passwordless login link.  
5. Click the link in the email. This will take you back to the Nominate Now page, where you can begin voting.  

If for some reason, you receive an error message, contact TrulyAwards@northwell.edu.

Read the nominator’s story about each finalist. Consider how well the finalist’s attributes, as explained in the story, meet the award category criteria for which the finalist was nominated. Then cast your vote for the nurse you feel best deserves to be recognized with a Nursing Truly Award. Vote for one nurse for each award category. Each team member has the ability to cast six total votes: one vote in each of the six award categories. You can also cast your votes for nurses by visiting TrulyAwards.northwell.edu. 

You may only vote for one finalist in each of the six award categories, for the Nursing Leadership award you may vote for one clinical nurse leader and one senior nurse leader. You may vote for the same finalist if they are nominated in more than one award category. You cannot vote for a finalist more than once within one award category.  

Yes, you may encourage team members and nurses to vote for the nurse you nominated.   

You can submit your votes during one or more sessions until Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET when voting officially closes. Once a vote is submitted, it is final.   

Once a vote is submitted, it is final and cannot be changed.   

All votes are automatically captured after you place them. You will see a confirmation on the screen after each vote.  

There will be a total of 35 Nursing Truly Award finalists, inclusive of five finalists for: Truly Caring Touch, Truly Rising Star, Truly Inclusive, Truly Collaborative, and Truly Innovative; there are ten finalists for Truly Leadership (five Clinical Nurse Leader finalists and five Senior Nurse Leader finalists).  

All nominations are first reviewed by a Nursing Scoring Panel. Each nomination is reviewed and scored using a rating scale based on how well the nominee meets the award attributes. Every nomination is scored by multiple judges. The more specific and detailed the nomination story is – including examples of how the nominee meets the award criteria – the better the chance of the nomination receiving a higher score. After the Nursing Scoring Panel, the top-scored nominations are reviewed by an Initial Selection Committee which includes members of the Chief Nursing Officer Cabinet, Collaborative Care Council, High potentials, Clinical Professional Development Team members, and other system nursing leaders to determine finalists. The Initial Selection Committee selects finalists for each award category based on the nomination stories submitted by Northwell Health team members during the nomination phase from Sept. 25, 2025, through Oct. 24, 2025. 

Following the team member voting period, a final selection committee will consider the vote results and determine the award recipients.  

The six award recipients (one for each of the six award categories) will be announced system-wide in the spring of 2026.   

If you have questions about the program, or are experiencing technical issues, please contact TrulyAwards@northwell.edu. For the best nomination site experience, team members are encouraged to use Google Chrome to access the site.  

The Truly Awards icon easily allows team members to access The Truly Awards site on your desktop. Don’t have the icon? Contact IT for support at TechConnect.

(Nuvance team members do not have access at this time, but we are looking to update in the future.) 

Double-check that you have searched for the individual correctly following the exact search naming convention described above the search box. Search for a nurse by entering only the nurse’s first name or last name. Start typing the first few letters of the nurse’s first name or last name, which populates a list of nurses with the closest matches. Scroll through the list and select the nurse you would like to nominate. You may need to wait a moment for the list oto populate. Please read all nomination form instructions carefully.   

If the nurse you are trying to nominate is not appearing in the search, he or she may not be an active full-time employed nurse, or he or she does not meet the criteria. 

See the nomination criteria under “Who can be nominated?” for more information or for assistance, contact TrulyAwards@northwell.edu for help with your search.

Use your Northwell Health credentials to log in. Users can only log into The Truly Awards website with their Northwell Health email/user id and password (Northwell credentials). Still having difficulty? Contact IT for support at TechConnect.  

For Nuvance team members, use your Nuvance email address to log in. If for some reason you receive an error message, contact TrulyAwards@northwell.edu.   

Yes, you can save your nomination and submit it at a later time. You are encouraged to save your nomination frequently. The site will automatically save your work every five minutes, but will log you out after 30 minutes of inactivity. You may find your saved nominations at “My Account” > “My Nominations” > “In progress.” Each time a nomination form is started it will automatically save to your account.  

Nuvance team members can nominate/vote for Northwell employed and voluntary physicians or Nuvance employed physicians. For Nuvance team members to access the site, they must follow these steps:  

Nuvance Team Members: How to log in and nominate (Magic Link process) 
Nuvance team members will use a "Magic Link" to access the nomination site: 

1. Go to the Nominate/Vote Now page on TrulyAwards.northwell.edu.
2. Click the "Nuvance Login" button. 
3. Enter your Nuvance email address and click "Send Magic Link." 
4. Check your email for a passwordless login link. 
5. Click the link in the email. This will take you back to the Nominate/Vote Now page, where you can begin your nominations or votes. 

If you receive an error message, contact TrulyAwards@northwell.edu