The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) recently presented its 2002 corporate sponsor award to Johnson & Johnson.

Founded in 1967, the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association, is a national organization of nearly 4,000 nurses who design, facilitate and manage care. Its mission is to represent nurse leaders who improve health care.

The award is given for the company's dedication and support of the nursing profession, especially through "The Campaign for Nursing's Future." This multi-year campaign includes national advertising and scholarships to attract more people to nursing in hospitals and extended care facilities.

"The Campaign for Nursing's Future demonstrates the kind of public support and recognition that the nursing profession deserves and needs as we face the many challenges resulting from the growing U.S. nursing shortage," said AONE president Philip D. Authier, MPH, RN. "As leaders in nursing and health care, AONE salutes Johnson & Johnson and appreciates its continued support of our profession."

"All of us from Johnson & Johnson are honored by this recognition from AONE. Our efforts to help address the nursing shortage through The Campaign for Nursling's Future, and our overall commitment to the nursing profession, continue to be high priorities for Johnson & Johnson," said Valerie Asbury, RN, BSN, vice president, national accounts, Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems. Asbury accepted the award on behalf of Johnson & Johnson during the recent AONE 2002 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Florida.

Through "The Campaign for Nursing's Future," Johnson & Johnson leverages its resources, reputation and marketing expertise to promote nursing as a positive career choice. The campaign includes a new national advertising campaign to celebrate nursing; scholarship funds for students and faculty and a multi-city scholarship fundraising effort; a Web site (www.discovernursing.com) on the benefits of a nursing career with links to hundreds of scholarships and educational programs; and recruitment brochures, posters and videos for thousands of high schools across the country.

Johnson & Johnson is a long-standing supporter of nursing leadership, as evidenced by its 20-year sponsorship of the Johnson & Johnson Wharton Fellows Program in Management for Nurse Executives.