Through the Excellence in Nursing (EIN) Awards, Good Samaritan Foundation (GSF) encourages others to celebrate and recognize individual nurses who are leaders at the bedside, offering extraordinary and compassionate care and service in their field. Nurses are nominated by their peers for their passion, leadership, mentorship, and service to our Texas communities.
While degrees, certifications, and research exhibit great dedication on the candidate’s part for developing professionally, Good Samaritan Foundation’s priority of focus is on the nominees’ stories of the work they do every day to service patients, families, employees, and students.
We are now accepting nominations for the 2026 EIN awards through Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Step 1. Determine Nomination Eligibility and Guidelines
Nomination Eligibility
- At a minimum, each nominee must be a Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner at the time of nomination.
- CNOs, CEOs, Deans, Associate Deans, and other executive-level nurses are not eligible.
- Prior Gold award recipients are not eligible for nomination, even if currently practicing in a different award category.
- Prior nominees are eligible for nomination.
- Nominators may also be nominees, but may not nominate themselves.
Nomination Guidelines
- Anyone (physician, nurse, grateful patient, or family member, etc.) may submit a nomination.
- Nominations must be submitted online. You will receive an automated confirmation with the final submission.
- One nomination per nominee (if multiple nominations are received for a nominee, the “first in” will be considered).
- Nominees will be considered in ONE award category only.
- Please do not send additional attachments such as nominee’s CV, resume, or publications.
- There is no limit on the number of nominees an organization or person may nominate.
- When submitting a nomination, please double check the accuracy of the name and credentials provided for the nominee. Information you provide will be listed in all materials.
- All degrees listed in credentials MUST be conferred.
Step 2. Once qualified, gather your information
For your convenience, we have provided a list of information to gather prior to completing and submitting the online Nomination Form in one sitting.
Step 3. Nominate Your Nurse(Click on the appropriate category below to begin) |
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| Category | Description |
| Large Hospital | Nominees must work in a facility with 400 or more beds, must hold a staffing position, and have 80%+ direct patient care. |
| Small Hospital | Nominees must work in a facility with fewer than 400 beds, must hold a staffing position, and have 80%+ direct patient care. |
| Non-Hospital Based Care | Nominees who work in a facility/area not covered under the other categories (e.g. a school, urgent care center, hospice, dialysis center, etc.) |
| Clinical Educator | Nominees must work directly with educating clinical staff and/or patients. |
| Nursing Education: Faculty | Nominees must be affiliated with a nursing college or university. Deans and Associate Deans are not eligible. |
| Nursing Administration and Leadership | Nominees must be working in a leadership or management role. CNOs, CEOs, and other executive-level nurses are not eligible. |
Thank you for taking the time to nominate our Texas nurses. All nominations will be reviewed and scored by a distinguished Selection Committee that is comprised of many clinical leaders in the Texas Medical Center. Winners will be announced in late July.