Guardian Nurses Entrepreneurial Award
The $5,000 Guardian Nurses Entrepreneurial Award, presented at the annual Nightingale Awards Gala, honors a nurse entrepreneur who is using their professional nursing experience, their passion, and their education to start their own business in the healthcare industry.
Congratulations to the 2025 Award winner:
Christina Gamez, MSN, RN-BC, owner of Health and Healing with Christina.
. She is a Navy veteran and RN with more than 20 years of clinical and leadership experience currently working as a Clinical Informatics Specialist at Chester County Hospital/Penn Medicine.
Christina stated that she will use the funding to launch a resilience and support program specifically for nurses & providers (Lord knows we all could benefit from that!) within Chester County Hospital and the Penn health system—populations that she believes have been deeply affected by secondary trauma. The program would include in-services and facilitated coaching sessions focused on processing emotional experiences, building coping skills, and sustaining well-being in high-stress environments.
Congratulations to the 2025 Award winner:
Christina Gamez, MSN, RN-BC, owner of Health and Healing with Christina.
. She is a Navy veteran and RN with more than 20 years of clinical and leadership experience currently working as a Clinical Informatics Specialist at Chester County Hospital/Penn Medicine.
Christina stated that she will use the funding to launch a resilience and support program specifically for nurses & providers (Lord knows we all could benefit from that!) within Chester County Hospital and the Penn health system—populations that she believes have been deeply affected by secondary trauma. The program would include in-services and facilitated coaching sessions focused on processing emotional experiences, building coping skills, and sustaining well-being in high-stress environments.
This monetary award is given to a nurse who has begun the setup of a privately-owned business in the healthcare industry or whose business is within its first two years of operation. The business may include, but is not limited to, developing and selling a home health product or medical device, or offering independent nursing services, such as patient care, nursing education, home health and/or consulting services. See all criteria below.
2026 applications will open in January
Who is eligible for the Nurse Entrepreneur Award?
Download the printable details about the Guardian Nurses Entrepreneurial Award.
The entrepreneur must:
Download the printable details about the Guardian Nurses Entrepreneurial Award.
The entrepreneur must:
- have a valid Pennsylvania nursing license
- own a company or organization based in, founded in, or having a significant presence in Pennsylvania
- be the founder of an existing business no greater than two years old, or in the midst of starting their own business
- share a fully developed business plan
- be an independent company (not a subsidiary or franchise)
- have an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- demonstrate profitability or potential for profitability
- comply with all applicable laws and regulations
What factors will the selection committee consider?
When weighing the relative merits of qualified applicants, the selection committee may consider whether the nurse entrepreneur demonstrates the following characteristics:
When weighing the relative merits of qualified applicants, the selection committee may consider whether the nurse entrepreneur demonstrates the following characteristics:
- is innovating in a way that differentiates or distinguishes the business, product or service
- has received local or regional honors, awards or other recognition
- contributes to the community through charitable or leadership role
- has the ability to overcome adversity
- follows relationship-based principles of business emphasizing strong, trust-based connections with customers, employees, and partners
- welcomes diversity in people and perspectives
Deadline
Each year, applications and all supporting materials for the Entrepreneurial Award are due August 15.
Award Sponsor
This award is sponsored by Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates, which donates the $5,000 awarded. Guardian Nurses is a nurse-founded, nurse-run, nurse-centric company that has been nationally recognized for innovations in reducing healthcare costs by improving patient outcomes.
Each year, applications and all supporting materials for the Entrepreneurial Award are due August 15.
Award Sponsor
This award is sponsored by Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates, which donates the $5,000 awarded. Guardian Nurses is a nurse-founded, nurse-run, nurse-centric company that has been nationally recognized for innovations in reducing healthcare costs by improving patient outcomes.
Application Checklist
Please use this guide for providing supporting materials for your application portfolio. Judging is based solely on the quality of the information and materials submitted. Please do not submit audio/visual materials or any materials that must be returned.
In the online application, submit everything below as file uploads.
Please use this guide for providing supporting materials for your application portfolio. Judging is based solely on the quality of the information and materials submitted. Please do not submit audio/visual materials or any materials that must be returned.
In the online application, submit everything below as file uploads.
- Business Plan and Supporting Materials: Concise description of the business/organization; list of principles involved (full name and contact information); mission/vision statement; short- and long-term goals/strategic plan; budget/proposed budget; investors/potential investors if applicable; and marketing plan. Supporting materials, such as brochures, testimonials and articles, are welcome.
- Entrepreneur Biography: Include the nurse entrepreneur's resume and history. Tell your story!
- Innovation: Describe a unique quality that distinguishes the nurse entrepreneur and/or business in the healthcare industry, such as a new product, technology or service, a patient innovation or practice.
- Achievements: List any honors, awards or recognition that the nurse entrepreneur and/or the business or organization has earned.
- Community Service / Giving Back: Describe how the nurse entrepreneur and/or the business has invested in or given back to its community. List involvement with relevant business organizations, charitable or civic causes.
- Recommendations: Submit two letters of recommendation.