Terms and Conditions for Retractable Technologies, Inc. Prize-Winning Essay Contest
Contest Overview
Retractable Technologies, Inc. (“RTI”) is hosting an essay contest for nurses to highlight their stories, experiences, and insights. The contest begins on January 1, 2025, and ends on September 30, 2025. The winning essay will receive a $5,000 Grand Prize, the contestant who places second will receive $3,000 and the contestant who places third will receive $2,000. Submissions will be accepted for publication starting January 2025.
1. Eligibility
Participants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of submission.
Submissions must come from individuals with valid nursing credentials (e.g., RN, LPN, etc.).
Employees of RTI, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.
2. Submission Guidelines
Essays must be original, unpublished works. Submissions that have been previously published or submitted elsewhere will be disqualified.
One submission per contestant, we will only accept the first submission from contestant.
Essays must be submitted via the designated email or online portal provided by RTI.
Submissions must include the participant’s full name, credentials, and contact information.
RTI reserves the right to edit essays for clarity, grammar, and length at the editor’s discretion.
All submissions become the property of RTI and may be published on RTI’s website, social media platforms, or other RTI publications, including magazines.
Essays must not violate HIPAA laws or include any confidential patient information.
Essays must not be written using Artificial Intelligence of any sort.
3. Selection and Publication
Selected essays will be published starting January 2025 on RTI’s website and/or other RTI publications.
From the published essays, Grand Prize winner will receive a $5,000 prize, second place will receive $3,000, and third place will receive $2,000.
Additionally, the other winners will have their essays featured in Nurse Point Magazine.
The decision of the RTI editorial team is final and binding.
If selected, the participant’s name land credentials (e.g., RN, LPN, etc.) will be published alongside their essay.
The winners must claim their prize by February 1, 2026.
W-9 forms will be provided after the winners are chosen in January 2026.
RTI will contact the winners using the contact information provided at the time of submission.
4. Judging Criteria
Winners chosen will be based on:
- Relevance to the nursing profession
- Style and presentation: grammar, syntax, spelling, and punction.
- Originality: the essay deals with the overall theme in a strong and convincing manner.
5. Prize and Payment
The Grand Prize winner will receive a $5,000 prize, second place will receive $3,000, and third place will receive $2,000, paid by check.
The winner may be required to provide additional information, including proof of eligibility, prior to payment.
No purchase is necessary to enter or win this contest.
6. Rights and Ownership
By submitting an essay, participants grant RTI an irrevocable, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, publish, and distribute their essay in any format or medium.
RTI retains the right to publish submitted essays, whether or not they are selected as the winner.
7. Disqualification
Essays that fail to meet the submission guidelines or eligibility requirements will be disqualified.
Submissions containing plagiarized content will be rejected and ineligible for publication.
Essays that violate HIPAA laws or contain confidential patient information will be disqualified.
Essays must not be written using Artificial Intelligence of any sort.
8. Legal Terms
By participating in the contest, participants agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions.
RTI reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the contest at any time for any reason.
This contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited. RTI complies with state-specific contest requirements, including registration or bonding, where applicable.
9. Privacy Policy
By submitting an essay, participants acknowledge and agree to RTI’s Privacy Policy, which can be reviewed here: https://www.retractable.com/privacy-policy/. The Privacy Policy explains how participant information will be used, stored, and protected.
10. Contact Information
For any questions regarding the contest, please contact RTI at: socialmedia@retractable.com
11. Agreement to Terms
By submitting an essay, participants confirm they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.