Select Page

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh College of Nursing will recognize 23 Wisconsin nurses for their many accomplishments at the annual Nightingale Award Dinner on May 9.

Seven of the 23 will be also honored with the prestigious Nightingale Award for Excellence in Practice.

This year’s award ceremony – the 20th anniversary of the Nightingale Awards – is a special one, said Rebecca Cleveland, a UW Oshkosh nurse educator since 1979.

Cleveland said the Nightingale Awards are a very important part of recognizing how significant nurses can be in helping people.

“Dedicated nurses impact their patients’ and families’ lives each day with accomplishments that are all too often unrecognized,” Cleveland said. “They are the unsung heroes of healthcare; this award program gives these selfless, altruistic professionals a moment of recognition.”

In the past 20 years, more than 100 nurses have been recognized with a Nightingale Award.  Colleagues, patients and co-workers nominate these nurses for their many accomplishments in nursing excellence in clinical practice.

“At some time in our lives we have had intelligent, skilled nurses give compassionate care to our mothers, brothers, children or neighbors,” Cleveland said. “Patients, families and healthcare agencies appreciate the opportunity to show their gratitude to these dedicated professionals.”

Colleen Huseboe, advancement officer for the College of Nursing, said, historically, the winners of the Nightingale Awards excel in multiple areas of the nursing field, demonstrate a number of achievements and are committed to nursing education through attendance at conferences, pursuit of advanced degrees, certifications and journals and in the expression of compassion toward patients.

Cleveland added that most winners never expect to receive the spotlight they deserve.

“They are dedicated professionals who go to work each day without expecting any accolades, only the reward of knowing that they have made a difference to the people in their care,” she said.

The Nightingale Award dinner and ceremony will take place in Reeve Memorial Ballroom. Winners of the Nightingale Award received a piece of commemorative artwork engraved with their name and credentials and a $1,000 award.

The event is hosted by the UW Oshkosh College of Nursing and the Board of Visitors, with support from regional healthcare organizations.

Learn more: