Who is eligible to enter?
Entries can be submitted by any group of nurses working together as a team: units, committees, chapters, etc. The majority of the team MUST be RNs.

What should I include in my entry?
You will need to provide contact information for a team representative and details about the team.

You'll submit the following to explain why your team should be named Best Nursing Team:

• Essay of 1,000 words maximum providing EXAMPLES of how your team embodies the value you select in a way that is unique or makes the team stand out from other nursing teams
• Essay of 500 words describing the OUTCOMES that have resulted from having a high level of the value you select

You will choose ONE of the following core values to include in your entry material:

• Initiative
• Adaptability
• Expertise
• Outreach

The information for the core value you choose should focus on process, outcome and the significant impact within the facility or community. Read an excerpt from a 2009 winning essay.

What do you mean by core value?
INITIATIVE
Describe how your team created a new process or procedure and demonstrate the outcomes of those changes.

ADAPTABILITY
Describe how your team adapted to a challenge or change and demonstrate the outcomes of that adaptability.

EXPERTISE
Describe how your team has earned and uses expert knowledge and skill to make a difference, and provide the outcomes that result from this expertise.

OUTREACH
Describe how your team has made an impact outside its own unit or facility and demonstrate the outcomes that result from this outreach.

How do I submit my entry?
All entries must be submitted online on or before Jan. 11, 2009 at the Best NursingTeam section of our site.

Can I mail, e-mail of fax my entry?
No. All entries must be submitted online using the link above.

How will the entries be judged?
Contest judges will evaluate entries based on evidence provided. In addition, judges will look for evidence of effective teamwork, communication and cooperation. Remember to include specific examples

Will ADVANCE confirm that my entry was received?
You will receive confirmation from the online system when your entry is submitted. You will not receive confirmation by mail or e-mail from ADVANCE.

How and when will winners be notified?
Winners will be notified by phone in February 2010.

Will I be notified if my team does not win?
No. Due to the volume of entries we are unable to contact every team. If you do not hear from ADVANCE by the end of February, you were not selected as a top team.

Still have questions?
E-mail your questions to Bestnursingteam@advanceweb.com