Five Bristol Hospital nurses were recognized Wednesday evening during the hospital’s second annual Nurse’s Dinner.
“We do this to recognize and celebrate our nurses,” said Chris Ann Meaney, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Bristol Hospital. “It’s about acknowledging the work our nurses do.”
The celebration, called “Welcome to a Moment in Time … an Evening to Celebrate You,” was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton during National Nurses Week. About 115 of Bristol Hospital’s 295 nurses were in attendance.
Award winners included Jeremy Lee, for the Rising Star; Jennifer Cantone, for the Outstanding Preceptor; Nicole Pires, for Clinical Excellence; Lisa Petano, for Interprofessional Collaboration; and Kristen Waterman, for Transformational Leadership.
Shannon Anes, BSN, RN-BC, who won the Rising Star award last year, said she was excited to present the honor to this year’s recipient, knowing how excited she was when she won.
“It was amazing,” Anes said.
“To win that, it was very gratifying. It was a very big surprise.”
Meaney said Bristol Hospital did its first nurses’ dinner last year in an effort to “create a healthy work environment” where nurses feel appreciated for all their hard work.
“I think you can kind of feel the energy,” Meaney said early in the evening, before the winners were announced.
“I love our nurses,” Meaney continued. “I’m so proud of the work they do. It isn’t easy.”
Nancy LaMonica, director of clinical excellence, professional practice and magnet, who organized the event, said hospital officials want to “highlight when someone is outperforming throughout the year.”
“They want to make patient care better,” LaMonica said. “I wish every nurse could attend.”