THCA Awards

To be eligible for nomination, the individual must:

• Be innovative in dealing with resident and staff needs, and in the delivery of patient centered care in the long term care setting.
• Demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning through their professional growth in the long term care nursing.

Criteria for selection:

• The nominee must be a full-time licensed nurse (may also include any nurse management position excluding the D.O.N.) at the time of the nomination with a minimum of two years experience as a licensed nurse in a long-term care facility (not limited to a geriatric facility).
• The nominee must be currently employed in a THCA member facility at time of application and at the time the award is presented.
• The recent DADS inspection/surveys during the past twelve (12) months from the facility where the applicant works shows no tag at G scope/severity level or higher related to the Nursing department resulting from major problems/quality of care issues in nursing. If you receive a G-Tag or higher and you feel it is not related to the nominee, send a copy of the tag for consideration and explain how the nominee was not involved.
• Candidates are not eligible if they were awarded Regional Nurse of the Year in the last 3 years.

Regional winners will attend Nurses Day activities at the 74th Annual Convention & Trade Show, September 10, 2024 at the expense of the employing facility. Regional winners will receive a ticket and be recognized during the Nurses Award Luncheon.

To be eligible nominee must:

• Demonstrate compassion and care, and be innovative in dealing with residents, families, and staff in the delivery of nursing care in the long term care setting.
• Demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning through their professional growth in the long term care nursing.

Criteria for selection:

• The nominee must be a nurse aide (with primary job duties as a N.A.) with a minimum of two years experience in a long term care facility (not limited to a geriatric facility) and one year in the nominating facility in the position as a Nurse Aide.
• The nominee must be currently employed in a THCA member facility at time of application and at time the award is presented.
• The nominee is not eligible if they have won this award within the last three years.

To be eligible nominee must:

• Be innovative in dealing with resident and staff issues, and in the delivery of nursing care in the long term care setting.
• Demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning through their professional growth in the long term care nursing.

Criteria for selection:

• The nominee must be a Registered Nurse; with a minimum of two years experience as a DON in a long term care facility (not limited to a geriatric facility) with one year in nominating facility as DON at the time of application.
• The nominee must be currently employed in a THCA member facility at time of application and at time the award is presented.
• The recent DADS inspection/surveys during the past twelve (12) months from the facility where the applicant works shows no tag at G scope/severity level or higher resulting from major problems/quality of care issues in nursing. If you receive a G-Tag and you feel it is not related to nursing, send a copy of the G-Tag for consideration. NOTE: If the facility is appealing an IJ that has not been finalized the DON is not eligible for nomination. A DON would be eligible if the deficiencies were received prior to their hire date and if because of their leadership the deficiencies were cleared.
• Candidates are not eligible if they were awarded DON of the Year in the last 3 years.
• The nominee attends Nurses’ Day activities at the 74th Annual Convention & Trade Show in San Antonio TX, September 10, 2024 at the expense of the employing facility.

To be eligible nominee must:

• Be Licensed in Texas for a minimum of two years.
• Employed by current employer/facility for a minimum of twelve months.
• Employed by a THCA member facility at the time of nomination and time of the presentation of the award.
• Facility has not been cited for substandard Quality of Care or Immediate Jeopardy level on any type of survey in the past year or in 2024 prior to submission of this nomination.
• Be an active participant with THCA activities (ex: attend region meetings, coordinate legislative outreach for facility staff and/or family members, legislative visits at local offices and/or in Austin, PAC fundraising, etc.

Criteria for selection:

• Community oriented, participating in civic activities (Rotary, Chamber, Lions Club, Meals on Wheels, etc.)
• Resident and family oriented with an active family council.
• Employee oriented with motivational programs/activities.
• Active participation in THCA activities/efforts (region meetings, legislative contacts, committees/councils, etc.)

To be eligible nominee must:

• Be an Administrator of a Licensed Assisted Living facility.
• Be employed by current employer/facility for a minimum of twelve months.
• Be employed by a THCA member facility at the time of nomination and at the time of the presentation of the award.

Criteria for selection:

• Community oriented, participating in civic activities (Rotary, Chamber, Lions Club, Meals on Wheels, etc.)
• Actively involved with residents, family members, and volunteers.
• Employee oriented with motivational programs/activities.
• Active participation in THCA activities/efforts (region meetings, legislative contacts, committees/councils, etc.)

To be eligible nominee must:

• Be actively involved as an Ombudsman/Volunteer Ombudsman in the nominating THCA Member facility for at least one (1) year.
• Receive a letter of recommendation from the Administrator of nominating THCA Member facility.
• Be affiliated with a THCA member facility at the time the award is presented.

Criteria for selection:

• Demonstrates a true concern for our residents by working with our facility staff, families and community resources.
• Recommendation of character, as well as instances showing the nominee as a visible advocate for quality of care in situations involving a family and/or resident.

PIE wards are presented to facilities for outstanding efforts in Media Relations and Community Education.

MEDIA RELATIONS

To show outstanding efforts in this category, submit at least one positive, recently published article (within the last year) that meets one or more of the following criteria:

• Creativity of coverage – turning a non-event into a story
• Difficulty of coverage – turning a potentially negative event into a positive story
• Consistency – frequency of positive coverage

A statement of 100 words or less must be submitted with the article(s) to explain how the facility has met the above criteria through their work with the local media.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

This category focuses on efforts to educate the local community on long term care issues. This can be accomplished through either an event—town hall meeting, seminar, community forum, etc.—or an ongoing outreach program.

To enter this category, the event or program must have occurred after August, 2023. Please send a statement of 200 words or less describing the goals of the event or program, how the facility met those goals, how the community responded, and how the facility and residents have benefited. Also include any literature from the event or program, i.e. brochures, invitations, agenda, video, etc.

The Nurse Committee of the Texas Health Care Association coordinates Nurse Scholarships for individuals who are:

• Employed in a member long term care facility at the time of application.
• Employed in a member long term care facility when the scholarship is awarded.
• Demonstrates a commitment to further their education and continue working in long term care after certification, degree and/or diploma is obtained.
• At the time of application, is employed in a long term care for one year, with six months in the current facility.
• Are currently enrolled in or have been accepted into a nursing program – CMA, LVN, RN or an advanced degree.

Proof of current enrollment or acceptance in a nursing program must be included with the application.

Applicants will be reviewed by a panel of nurses from the THCA Nurse Committee who presently working in long term care.

The winners will be awarded a $500 scholarship funded by THCA and our sponsoring members at the 74th Annual Convention & Trade Show in San Antonio, TX, on September 10, 2024.

Applications must be accompanied by a statement from the applicant explaining why they chose long term care and why they would like to continue their education in nursing. Applications must also include letters of recommendation from the Administrator and a minimum of one from the following list:

• DON
• Supervisor
• Healthcare Professional

Applications not meeting ALL of the above criteria will be disqualified.