We have all met at least one outstanding nurse whose courage, competence, and commitment to patients and the nursing profession stands out above all others. Each year 100 Great Iowa Nurses are honored at a ceremony, created for the state of Iowa, by nurse and community leaders.

This year's 100 Great Iowa Nurses will be honored on May 4 - the beginning of Nurses Week - at the fourth annual celebration in Des Moines. Recipients from prior years are invited back to be recognized, and the 2008 awardees will invite family, friends and colleagues to share in the recognition of their outstanding achievements.

The 100 honorees represent 38 counties, and the initial pool of 276 nominees came from 70 of Iowa's 99 counties. The field of nominees was narrowed to 100 by a panel of judges, including nursing professionals and past years' award winners, who reviewed nominations from around the state. 

Nurses selected for this honor represent many sectors of health care, including hospitals, long-termcare facilities, and school and office nurses. This is a statewide event that belongs to the people of Iowa.  Similar celebrations are held in the states of Louisiana, North Carolina and Texas.