Once again, the California Nursing Excellence Awards demonstrated the rich diversity and depth of nursing talent in this state. From a record submission of more than 300 nominations, we found the most compelling and amazing stories from every walk of nursing.

From school nurses to hospice, from bedside clinical experts to top nursing leaders, nominees were raised up by their colleagues and enthusiastically thrust into the bright lights. More than 500 professional colleagues (notably, even a few hospital CEOs), families and friends came to Los Angeles on April 12 to honor these nurses who, without exception, tend to downplay their accomplishments with "It's just my job" or "This is because of those I work with."

The stories of each of the 48 nominees are quick to remind us of what is the essence of nursing and what contributions are worthy of holding up as examples for young people considering the health professions.

In particular, I would like to highlight the career of our Diane F. Cooper Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Janet Rodgers, Ph.D., RN, soon-to-be retired dean of the University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science. She was an easy choice for this special honor, which includes a $5,000 contribution to a scholarship fund of her choice sponsored by Tenet Healthcare Corporation.

Janet's career trajectory is a wonderful example of the diversity and multiple arenas in which nurses can grow, contribute and make a difference in society-a role model for us all. From her beginnings in New York, from the bedside to administrative roles, then faculty and academic leadership, Janet now has assumed leadership of Scripps Health's board of directors. Janet's vision and leadership talents seem boundless-and others obviously agree.

Perhaps one of Janet's qualities that we most appreciate is that she is as well-known in the world of practice as within academia. This is not an easy feat. Janet, along with her delightful sense of humor, has helped to bridge many of the practice/education gaps common in our profession today. We need more nursing leaders like Janet, eager to find points of agreement and opportunity instead of the political issues that divide and antagonize.

While there is no doubt that Janet will be missed in the academic world, Scripps Health will be enriched by her leadership. As a nurse, she will give board members an appreciation of the rich talents that lie within our honored profession.

Based on the collection of finalists and winners we found to celebrate this year, I think it is more than fair to say "there's a lot more where that came from!" Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of NURSEWEEK's 2002 California Nursing Excellence Awards!

It is almost the end of April, and soon we will be celebrating National Nurses Week (May 6-12). Please think about the special nurses who work with, for and around you. Be prepared to express your appreciation to them for all that they give to you as colleagues, as friends and as fellow nurses.

As I have said before, Nurses Week is not about free trinkets, but about celebrating nursing and showing the world what we are all about.