Key To Quality Awards
Each year, it is NAHCA’s distinct privilege to recognize exceptional caregivers from across the country for their noble and humanitarian service to our nation’s frail, older, and disabled citizens. Nominations for the awards categories may be submitted by anyone who has knowledge about the exemplary work of the nominee in 12 categories (see below).
The nomination process begins on March 1, 2023. All nominations must be received no later than June 16, 2023, to ensure due consideration and time to process the awards. The individuals who nominate winners will be notified between June 23 and July 7, 2023.
Peers, residents, supervisors, administrators, nurse supervisors and others may nominate CNAs in 12 categories. CNAs may also nominate themselves. All award winners, each of whom are expected to attend CNA Fest, will receive a free registration to attend the event.
All winners are responsible for their own transportation to and from Little Rock. For those who fly, NAHCA will provide transportation to and from the Little Rock airport. The Key to Quality Red Carpet event and awards ceremony will be live-streamed on NAHCA’s YouTube channel, CNATV, and Facebook page.
NAHCA “Key to Quality” Nomination Rules
Nominees must be currently practicing within the continuum of care as a CNA or equivalent position.
CNAs may nominate themselves for any award category.
- All Key to Quality Award winners are expected to attend the event.
Each nominee must be an employee in good standing with their employer and state certifying agency.
Nominees must have been a CNA in good standing for a minimum of one year.
Nominations must be submitted at the link below.
Nominations for more than one award must have a form completed for each award category.
Each nomination should include an endorsement from either an organizational leader or a peer.
CNAs who nominate themselves must have two endorsements: one from a peer and one from a supervisor or other organizational leader.
Forms must be completed in their entirety. All questions must be answered.
Nominations must be received by no later than June 16, 2023.
- Nominees must meet all of the criteria for the award category for which they are being nominated.
Tips and Recommendations
Be specific and creative! Hundreds of nominations are received in each category. To ensure that your nomination is among the finalists, please write one that highlights the CNA’s outstanding qualities. Include what makes that team member an exceptional nominee.
Click on the categories below for information.
The recipient of this award is a caregiver with 20 or more years of experience, is an outstanding quality care provider, displays a positive attitude, serves residents by respecting their rights, and has above average attendance. This award is to recognize a lifetime of achievement in all areas of providing direct care and support. This award is named for and honors a great woman who gave 30 years of her life as a caregiver and never missed a single day of work! This is NAHCA’s most prestigious award.
The recipient of this award must have a minimum of five years of experience with their center and be a NAHCA member. This caregiver possesses all the qualities and attributes of a professional Certified Nursing Assisted in any care environment.
The recipient of this award must have served for a minimum of three years in a skilled nursing facility. This person demonstrates competency as it relates to providing for the needs of patients in a post-acute facility and/or residents in long-term care setting. They actively serve as a part of the interdisciplinary team to meet the needs of those being cared for on a daily basis. The candidate should possess qualities such as patience, compassion, deep commitment to caring, and effective communication. This nominee should embody the highest ideals associated with serving as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
The recipient of this award must have served for a minimum of three years in a hospice setting and demonstrate competency as it relates to providing for the needs of people who are preparing to transition or who require palliative care to promote quality of life and dignity. They actively serve as a part of the interdisciplinary team that identifies full spectrum resources to meet the unique needs of each person receiving care. This person also acknowledges that caring means supporting the family and friends in their care. The candidate should possess qualities such as patience, compassion, deep commitment to caring, and effective communication. This nominee should embody the highest ideals associated with serving as a Hospice Nursing Assistant.
The recipient of this award must have served for a minimum of three years in an acute-care setting and demonstrate competency as it relates to providing for the needs of people who are experiencing health issues that require hospitalization for treatment and discharge to other levels of care. This person actively works in collaboration with the licensed and registered staff to meet the needs of the patient. The candidate should possess qualities such as patience, compassion, attention to detail, adaptability, technical skills, and effective communication. This nominee should embody the highest ideals associated with serving as a nursing assistant in a hospital setting.
The recipient of this award must have served for a minimum of three years providing in-home care and demonstrates competency as it relates to meeting the needs of people who are best served in their community-based home and require support to maintain health and wellbeing. Nominees actively work in consultation with other members of the team to ensure all basic needs are met to maintain this level of care. The candidate should possess qualities such as patience, compassion, independence, adaptability, strength, and effective communication. This nominee should embody the highest ideals associated with serving as a nursing assistant in the home care space.
The recipient of this award is a CNA who plays an integral role in mitigating staffing shortages in a variety of different healthcare settings. This person’s effort helps to ensure that the needs of the patient, resident, or client are met in accordance with their plan of care. The candidate for this award should possess the following qualities; adaptability, self-directed, multi-tasker, attention to detail, technical competence, and effective communication. (example: staffing agency, staffing app, traveling CNA, private duty)
The recipient of this award is a CNA or caregiver who is currently employed in an assisted living or residential care center for a minimum of two years. The nominee must possess all the qualities and attributes of a professional caregiver in the assisted living environment.
The NAHCA Champion of the Year award will go to the person or persons who best support the NAHCA program in their center. The recipient could be an administrator, director of nursing, staff development coordinator, or any department head or administrative personnel whose support has directly improved the internal NAHCA program by offering assistance, guidance and resources to support the NAHCA process at the center level.
The recipient of this award must have completed one year of service to their center. They have successfully completed the CNA/ALC course work and certification, and they set the standard for attendance and the delivery of care. Their attendance record goes beyond working their standard schedule. Nominees demonstrate that they are willing to work extra shifts to ensure that exceptional care is delivered to those they serve. Their commitment to excellence in care shows in every aspect of their service. They invest the time to make every life interaction meaningful for their elders from daily care through making the end-of-life experience comfortable and dignified. Their devotion is unmistakable.
The recipient of this award must be a NAHCA Certified Preceptor. These recipients must demonstrate the qualities necessary to successfully train new CNAs/ALCs. These qualities include: patience, compassion, knowledge of job skills, nurturing attitude, positive outlook, and good communication skills which are necessary for effective instruction. These caregivers are dedicated to the professional development of new CNAs/ALCs.
The recipient of this award displays a positive attitude towards residents, co-workers, administration, charge nurses, families, and other departments. They have a gift for finding the bright side of all situations and can adapt to and accept change positively. The recipients of this award display a positive attitude towards residents, co-workers, administration, charge nurses, families and other departments. They can find the bright side of all situations and can adapt to and accept change positively.