Abstracts are invited from registered nurses working in any setting with vascular patients, who are members of the Society of Vascular Nurses, for a prize session to be held at the annual conference in Bournemouth on 12th November 2008.

Abstracts must adhere to the following criteria:

They must be about an original piece of work. Acceptable submissions include research, audit, practice development projects or original case studies, demonstrating an innovative approach to care. Large or small-scale studies are equally welcome.
The work must not have been previously published or presented elsewhere (other than at local audit or teaching sessions).
The entrant must have made a substantial contribution to the work, must be the principal author (up to 2 co-authors may be listed) and must deliver the paper in person. (Entrants must confirm with their manager before submitting the abstract that they will be allowed to attend the conference if their paper is selected.)

For research or audit papers, the Introduction; Methods; Results; Discussion format must be adhered to. For other papers, this format may also be used but any other clear format is acceptable.

Maximum length for abstracts is 250 words. Any above this length will automatically be rejected. Up to 3 key references may be included if necessary.

Abstracts must be submitted to Jo Gibson, Vascular Nurse Consultant, Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, Town Lane, Kew, Southport PR8 6PN by 22nd September 2008.
A completed abstract submission form must be included.

A subcommittee of the SVN will then grade the abstracts anonymously. Please avoid using any identifying details, e.g. the name of your hospital, in the abstract. If any abstracts have been submitted by a colleague or student of one of the judges, they will declare their interest and will not score that abstract. The marks awarded by the other judges will be adjusted accordingly.
The best abstracts will be selected to be presented at the SVN conference. Others which reach a satisfactory standard will be invited to give a poster presentation.
Closing date for submission of abstracts is Monday 22nd September 2008. Selection will take place and applicants will be notified after the 1st October 2008.

Successful applicants will be required to give a 15 minute presentation at the SVN conference (10 minutes plus 5 minutes for questions). The winning presenter will receive the Circulation Foundation Prize (commemorating Mr James Purdie) of £250.
There will also be a prize of £100 for the best poster presentation, to be voted for by the conference delegates.
The first named author for each paper or poster will be able to register for the SVN conference free of charge. (A co-presenter may attend if wished but there will be only one free registration per paper.)

The criteria by which the abstracts will be judged are described below.

(Maximum score = 10)

Score 0 ? no 1-partly 2-yes
1 Is the background to the study explained?
2 Are the aims of the study stated?
3 Are the methods used clearly described and appropriate?
4 Are the results or outcomes clearly presented?
5 Are the implications for vascular nursing practice and/or further research explained?