OVERVIEW
The application process includes three phases:

1. Intent-to-apply is received by NCNA, then an anonymous online nurse satisfaction survey is completed by RNs.
2. A notebook with written materials addressing the Hallmarks criteria is submitted and reviewed by a team of three Reviewers; their recommendations are then sent to the Credentialing Committee for their recommendation of whether or not to proceed to a site visit
3. The onsite visit is completed to validate the presence of evidence of criteria. Reviews of the notebook and the site visit will be completed by the same trained Reviewers.

PROCESS

1a. Intent-to-Apply Form: is received by NCNA. Once the Intent-to Apply is received at NCNA, you will be sent a packet of materials to complete. Because the materials are proprietary, they are not available for public use. This list indicates what is included in the packet that will be sent to you and includes samples of the proprietary materials.

• A letter acknowledging receipt of the Intent-to-Apply and the code for your facilities’ online nursing satisfaction survey.
• An application form with a checklist for internal use.
• A copy of the online nursing satisfaction survey (see sample of survey).
• Three sets of expanded Criteria Guidelines (see sample of Criteria Guidelines).
• A scoring sheet to indicate scoring criteria – used for the written application and for the onsite visit.
• Market Information Form (a standardized way to calculate RN turn-over and retention).
• Staff Information Sheet (a form requesting information on your RNs who have worked various amounts of time). This information will be used to interview nurses during the onsite visit.

1b. Nurse Satisfaction Survey: Once intent-to-apply is received, NCNA sends the link to an anonymous online nurse satisfaction survey. The survey must be completed by at least 40% of RNs at each workplace. A workplace must receive a score of 75% or greater to proceed to the written application.

2. Written Application: addresses the three components of a Hallmarks Healthy Workplace:

• Support of nursing professional development – orientations, education, compensation, recognition and rewards
• System support for nurses to provide quality service - organization friendly to employees and their families, safety and wellness protection for employees, opportunity to provide quality service
• Integration of nursing into operations and governance – support for nursing leadership and administration, shared decision making, nurses’ contributions to policy development

Written applications address the Hallmarks criteria guidelines (see a sample of Criteria Guidelines) and provide written documentation of staff recognition programs, use of best practices, and ways in which nurses have been active in facility governance. Each workplace submits three binders to NCNA as well as one CD with electronic copies of the criteria and staff information forms. 

3. On-Site Review: The on-site review is completed by three trained Hallmarks reviewers. During the on-site review, reviewers meet with nurse managers and staff nurses. Reviewers evaluate documents and assess the working conditions of nurses.


APPLICATION FEE

Any workplace that employs or has as volunteers 3 or more RNs is invited to apply. Application fees are based on number of the number of RN FTEs. 

Workplaces over 201 RN FTEs - $5000
151-200 RN FTEs - 4000
101-150 RN FTEs - 3000
51–100 RN FTEs - 2000
26-50 RN FTEs - 1000
11-25 RN FTEs - 750

RECOGNITION CEREMONY

Hallmarks recipients are recognized twice each year during a recognition ceremony.  Recognition ceremonies feature guest speakers and celebrate the accomplishments of healthy workplaces.  Each workplace receives a Hallmarks award as well as Hallmarks pins. 

The Recognition Ceremony is a media event.  Members of the press are invited to attend.  Hallmarks staff send press releases to newspaper and television reporters detailing your accomplishments.