HNA District 7 presents Nursing Excellence Award to Rick Baskin, RN

"We at District 7 decided many years ago to have our own Nurse Excellence Award and use the same criteria that was used on the state level. The award recognizes a member of HNA District 7 for outstanding achievement in the area of nursing practice." —District 7 President Ana Silva, RN

Each year, the nurses in District 7 of the Hawai'i Nurses' Association vote for a Registered Nurse to receive the Nursing Excellence Award. This award was originally an award that HNA celebrated on a state level. There were others as well, including Maternal Nurse of the Year, the Ruth Kemble Award (for volunteerism), and other categories.

Rick Baskin, an RN from North Hawaii Community Hospital (NHCH) emergency department is the recipient of this year's award. He has been an RN at NHCH since 2003 and is engaged and involved in his profession and his union. He is an ER Nurse Preceptor, HNA Shop Steward, relief House Coordinator, ACLS Instructor, ACLS Regional Faculty with American Heart Association and is also a member of the House of Delegates for the HNA. "Rick, you are an amazing nurse and an inspiration to us all," said Stephanie Landers, RN House Coordinator.

Award Recipient Rick Baskin, RN, pictured holding inscribed 2010 Award

"Thank you to my fellow nurses for bestowing on me this prestigious title and award. I feel this award should have the names of all the nurses from the Big Island printed on it.  I know that I am only one part of the healthcare team, a team that I am proud to be part of that is making a difference in the lives of people everyday.  Mahalo Nui Loa Kakou." — Rick Baskin, RN

HNA District 7 RN Award Recipient presents HNA Student RN Award

When HNA asked Rick Baskin to present the Hawaii Nurses Association Student Nursing Excellence Award to a graduate of the University of Hawaii in Hilo,
he dived right in. Addressing the graduates, he said that when you are called to perform a skill or duty that you have never done before it's like your first dive. "You have to be willing to take that first big step off the end of the board. Now is the time to trust yourself and know that you are going to make a difference in the world that we live in. I encourage all of you to dive in."

Rick talked story about the first night he met the recipient of the award he would present that night. He said he walked into a  crazy day in the ER, the place was a mess, every bed was full and the phone was ringing off hook….and it was right about then they told him his student was in the lobby. He thought to himself, "You're kidding me, right?" With no time for pleasantries, they had to dive right in.
They had to take over care of the most critical of two trauma patients. He said to her, "Let's do what needs to be done," and the student nurse simply said without hesitation, "okay." Rick said, "I was so impressed with her skills and go get 'em attitude we ended up having an incredible day. Both of us walked away knowing we helped save at least one life that day."

Nursing faculty at the University chose the recipient of the award.