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FAQs: Frequently asked questions

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General overview

Why was The Truly Awards program created?

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

What is Nursing at Northwell Health?

Northwell’s 19,000 + registered nurses embrace the mission of the health system—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 over 875 ambulatory care locations and 21 hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home care and hospice care spanning three regions. For more information about Northwell Nursing, please visit https://professionals.northwell.edu/nursing.

Who is eligible for The Nursing Truly Awards?

All full-time employed registered nurses are eligible for the six Nursing Truly Awards, specifically: the Truly Caring Touch Award, Truly Innovative Award, Truly Rising Star Award, Truly Teamwork Award, Truly Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award and Truly Nursing Leadership Award.  

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 over two years.  
  • Nursing Truly Rising Star Award: Employed at Northwell for up to 5 years. 
  • Nursing Truly Leadership Award: Director-level position or above.  

When visiting the nomination form, please search for a nurse using the search box. Only eligible nurses will appear in your search, and then you may select the nurse that you want to nominate.  
Note: Advance Practice Providers including Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are not currently eligible for The Nursing Truly Awards.  

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

Why does this award program have six separate awards?

The Nursing Truly Awards is designed to align with the Northwell Health 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 aim to honor nurses who embody these values. In addition, we have decided to add a 6th truly category to recognize our nursing leaders.

How does The Truly Awards program work?

Beginning Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, all Northwell team members, nurses, and physicians can nominate our registered nurses for certain award categories. The nomination phase will be open through Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.   

  • Only employed nurses are eligible for a nomination (see Nomination Criteria section for details). Nominations can only be submitted through the Truly Awards website at NursingTrulyAwards.northwell.edu

  • An HR review will occur 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 late-December 2024. At that time, we will identify our top 30 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 team members and nurses will be invited to vote beginning Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, through Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. Voting will take place on the Truly Awards website. 

  • A Final Selection Committee will be engaged from Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, through Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, to determine the nursing award recipients. The Final Selection Committee is representative of select senior executives throughout Northwell Health. Voting results will be a factor in helping determine the six Nursing Truly Award recipients. 

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Nomination criteria

Who can be nominated?

To be eligible for The Nursing Truly Caring Touch Award, Truly Innovative Award, Truly Rising Star Award, Truly Teamwork Award, The Truly Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award, and Truly Nursing Leadership Award nurses of Northwell Health must meet the following criteria:  

  • Be a full-time employed registered nurse of Northwell Health. Advance Practice Providers including Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), flex staff and per diem nurses are not currently eligible for The Nursing Truly Awards.

  • Registered nurses employed by Northwell for a minimum of two years from your original hire date (prior to September 1, 2022). 

  • Be 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 over two years.  

  • Nursing Truly Rising Star Award: Employed at Northwell for up to 5 years. 

  • Nursing Truly Leadership Award: Director-level position or above.  

Nurses who hold a specific leadership title have been excluded from eligibility including any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President. Note: The following leadership titles are eligible for nomination: Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President, AVP, Associate Executive Director, Senior Director, Director, and Assistant Director. 

Who can nominate?

All team members, nurses, and physicians of Northwell Health with a Northwell universal ID and password can nominate the nurses of Northwell Health for The Truly Awards. Nurses cannot self-nominate.

What attributes should be considered when submitting a nomination for a nurse? 

Northwell Health 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  

Award description: This employed registered nurse (RN) 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 

Award description: This RN 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 

Award description: This RN who, though new to the profession (within their first 5 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 Teamwork Award 

Award description: This RN exemplifies the true spirit of togetherness, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing the professional growth of their colleagues.  

Attributes:  

  • Selflessly guide and empower colleagues, creating a safe and encouraging space for professional development and achievement.  
  • Promotes a culture of continuous learning and excellence in nursing, generously sharing their knowledge, skills, and experience. 
  • Understands the importance of a high-performing team, fostering a positive work environment built on open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to exceptional patient care.  

Truly Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award  

Award description: This RN demonstrates a commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive healthcare environment for all. This nurse is a champion for health equity. 

Attributes: 

  • Provides culturally competent care that honors the unique needs and backgrounds of every patient and family. 
  • Promotes belonging and values diversity within the workplace, consistently seeking opportunities to learn and fosters a culture of respect and appreciation for all. 
  • Inspires colleagues and implements innovative approaches to create a workplace culture that celebrates the diversity of the community served. 
  • 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 Award  

Award description: This RN is a nurse leader (Director & above) who demonstrates exceptional leadership, inspiring and empowering others to achieve excellence in patient care.  

Attributes: 

  • Actively seeking 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. 
  • Actively engage in professional organizations and contribute to decision-making processes that shape the future of healthcare. 
  • Champion professional growth and development, mentoring others to assume leadership roles.  

How many nominations can I submit?

All Northwell Health 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.

If a nurse was nominated by one of my colleagues, can I also nominate the nurse for the same or different awards?

Yes, you may also nominate the same nurse. 

Why is the name of the nurse I want to nominate not appearing in the nurse search box within the nomination form?  

Double-check that you have searched for the individual correctly. Follow 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, and then a list of nurses with the closest match will appear. Scroll through the list and select the nurse you would like to nominate. You may need to wait a moment for the list of nurse matches to appear. Read all the instructions on the nomination form 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 contact InstituteforNursing@northwell.edu for help with your search.

How do I know if the nurse I want to nominate is an employed full time registered nurse, and if he or she is eligible to participate as a nominee in the program? 

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 InstituteforNursing@northwell.edu and a team member will respond in one to two business days.

Can I start a nomination submission and then save it to finalize and submit it at a later time? 

Yes, you can save your nomination and submit it at a later time. We encourage you to save your nomination frequently. The site will 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. 

How will I know if my submission was received?

You will see a confirmation message on your screen after submitting the nomination form, which will confirm that your nomination was received. You will also receive an email in your Northwell Health email inbox that confirms your nomination submission. 

Will nurse(s) be notified of my nomination?

Nominated nurses will be notified of their nomination after the nomination phase has ended. Additionally, a copy of the nomination will be emailed to every nominated nurse.  

How are nominated nurses recognized?

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 and a certificate. At the hospital, practice, regional and service line level, local recognition activities will include department communications and acknowledgements in honor of all nominated nurses. The recipients of The Nursing Truly Awards will also receive public recognition in videos and print advertising.  

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Voting

When does voting begin and end? 

Voting will take place on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, through Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.  

Who can vote?  

All Northwell Health team members, physicians and nurses are eligible to vote.   

How do I vote?  

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.  

How many finalists can I vote for in each of the six award categories?

You may only vote for one finalist in each of the six award categories. 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. 

Can I encourage team members and nurses to vote for the nurse I nominated? 

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

Do I have to submit all my votes in one session?  

You can submit your votes during one or more sessions until Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET when voting officially closes. Once a vote is submitted, it is final. 

Can I change my vote once it is submitted? 

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

How do I know my votes are captured?

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

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Final selection

How many finalists are there for The Nursing Truly Awards?

There are five finalists for each award category, for a total of 30 Nursing Truly Award finalists.

How are the finalists selected for each of the six Nursing Truly Awards?

First, all nominations are reviewed by the 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 with examples of how the nominee meets the award criteria, the better the chance of the nomination scoring higher. 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 Oct. 28, 2024, through Nov. 22, 2024.   

How will The Nursing Truly Award recipients be chosen? 

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

When will the award recipients be officially announced?

The six award recipients (one for each of the six award categories) will be announced system-wide in the spring of 2025.  

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Questions and technical issues

What should I do if I’m having trouble viewing The Nursing Truly Awards website? 

For the best user experience, use Google Chrome. 

Who do I contact if I have questions about The Nursing Truly Awards? Or if I need technical support? 

Questions about The Nursing Truly Awards should be directed to institutefornursing@northwell.edu. If you experience a technical issue using The Nursing Truly Awards website, call the IT Service Desk at (516, 631, 718) 470-7272. Or engage the Northwell Health myTech Chat via the team member intranet. 

What is The Truly Awards desktop app?

The new Truly Awards app icon is an easy way to access The Truly Awards site on your desktop. Don’t have the app? Contact IT for support at mytech.northwell.edu

Why is the name of the nurse I want to nominate not appearing in the nurse search within the nomination form? 

Double-check that you have searched for the individual correctly. Follow 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, and a list of nurses with the closest match will appear. Scroll through the list and select the nurse you would like to nominate. You may need to wait a moment for the list of nurse matches to appear. Read all the instructions on the nomination form 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 contact institutefornursing@northwell.edu for help with your search.

Why am I having trouble logging in?

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 mytech.northwell.edu.

Can I start a nomination submission and then save it to finalize and submit it at another time?

Yes, you can save your nomination and submit it at a later time. We encourage you to save your nomination frequently. The site will 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. 

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