NURSEWEEK celebrated our first Midwest/Great Lakes Nursing Excellence Awards with a ceremony Aug. 23 just outside Chicago, during which we honored 48 nurses who have excelled in the profession. It was a gala evening with more than 300 people in attendance, including families, colleagues and friends of the nominees. As each finalist and winner came on stage, we heard the stories and narratives of what they had accomplished in their particular roles.

One thing was crystal clear: Their accomplishments were the result of their passion for nursing.

Finalist after finalist had a story that demonstrated extraordinary achievements that made a consistent difference to patients, their families and their fellow nurses. They expressed disbelief that they would be singled out for such an honor, which only reminds us that nurses almost always are the unsung heroes of the health care system.

Nominations came from colleagues, bosses, teachers and students, from husbands, wives, parents and patients. More than 400 of these nominations described nurses who deserved to win an award. Ultimately, through a judging process, we selected 40 finalists and eight winners in the categories they represented. In the final analysis, there were wonderful tributes to all 400 nominees. It made me so proud to read them and to be reminded that as nurses quietly go about their business of healing, lots of people recognize how significant their work is.

You will read their stories and probably know one of them. They are staff nurses, managers and executives. They are teachers, mentors and volunteers. They are specialists in pain management, neonates and school health. They are the face of nursing in our country. They serve as a reminder that each and every nurse can make a significant contribution, and at some point we need to honor their contributions and say thank you.

One other reminder for all of us is just how diverse the opportunities in nursing are. At NURSEWEEK, we continually try to showcase the many new ways nursing practice is expanding. The endless list of practice opportunities is mind-boggling and presents a profession in which there is something for everyone's special interest, both now and as one progresses further in the field. I find that the growing public recognition of nursing and the rise of our own pride in the profession is creating good times for us all. Sure, there are problems, but when you stop and look at the good being done by nurses, you cannot help but be proud to be a nurse.

Next year, I expect we will have more nurses nominated for the Nursing Excellence Awards with extraordinary stories. Look around you and commit to being sure they are among the winners. Recognition goes a long way.

Discuss this and other topics with your colleagues at www.nurseweek.com/rnvillage.