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2nd Annual Nurses Magazine Awards & Symposium 2026 | The Nurses Magazine(R)
2nd Annual | August 20–22, 2026 | Orlando, FL

Second Annual Nurses Magazine
Awards & Symposium 2026

An International Celebration of Excellence

DatesAugust 20–22, 2026
LocationOrlando, Florida
Categories16 Awards
Nominations DeadlineMay 30, 2026

Nominations open now  |  Deadline May 30, 2026  |  Loading...

About the Awards

Honoring the Best in Nursing
Leadership & Excellence

The 2nd Annual Nurses Magazine Symposium & Awards returns to Orlando, Florida — August 20–22, 2026 — as an International Celebration of Excellence. This flagship event brings together nursing professionals, educators, leaders, and healthcare innovators from across the nation and beyond.

All honorees are featured in The Nurses Magazine® print and digital editions and celebrated across TNM’s platforms reaching 6.3M+ annually.

16
Award categories
200+
Honorees recognized
3
Days of celebration
6.3M+
Social media reach
2nd
Annual ceremony
Event Details

Three Days. Two Ceremonies.
One Unforgettable Celebration.

Join nursing professionals, leaders, educators, and innovators for three landmark days of symposium sessions, recognition ceremonies, and networking in Orlando, Florida.

August
20–22
2026

Second Annual Nurses Magazine Awards & Symposium

An International Celebration of Excellence
Orlando, Florida

What to expect

  • Symposium sessions and leadership workshops
  • Friday Awards Brunch — 4 award categories
  • Saturday Awards Gala — 12 award categories
  • Networking with national nursing leaders
  • Red carpet and professional photography

Key dates

  • Nominations open: March 22, 2026
  • Nominations deadline: May 30, 2026
  • Finalists notified: July 30, 2026
  • Winners announced: August 22, 2026
Ceremony Schedule

Awards Brunch & Gala Ceremony

Friday, August 21, 2026
Awards Brunch
Daytime Ceremony | 4 Award Categories
13CNA of the Year Award
14Community Service Award
15Healthcare Advocacy Award
16Nursing School of the Year
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Awards Gala
Evening Ceremony | 12 Award Categories
1Lifetime Achievement Award
2Trailblazer Award
3Chief Nursing Officer of the Year
4Rising Star Award
5Educator of the Year
6Nurse Preceptor of the Year
7Business Coach of the Year
8Nursing Student of the Year
9Mentorship Award
10Nurse Influencer Award
11Leadership & Innovation Award
1240 Under 40 Award
2026 Award Categories

All 16 Categories — Click to View Criteria

Click any category to expand the full eligibility criteria. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged.

Category 01
Lifetime Achievement Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must have a minimum of 20 years of distinguished service in the nursing profession. Must have made sustained and measurable contributions to advancing nursing practice, education, research, or healthcare policy. Must provide evidence of mentoring emerging nurses or building a lasting legacy.
Category 02
Trailblazer Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must have introduced innovative approaches, programs, technologies, or models that have significantly advanced nursing practice or healthcare delivery. Must demonstrate courage and initiative in challenging the status quo. Must provide evidence of measurable outcomes and lasting impact.
Category 03
Chief Nursing Officer of the Year
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must be currently serving or have recently served as a CNO, VP of Nursing, or equivalent executive nursing leader. Must demonstrate excellence in strategic leadership, staff development, and resource management. Must provide evidence of improved patient safety metrics, nurse satisfaction, or staff retention.
Category 04
Rising Star Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must be a licensed nurse with 1 to 5 years of professional experience at the time of nomination. Must demonstrate exceptional clinical performance, initiative, and emerging leadership qualities. Must provide evidence of contributions beyond primary role.
Category 05
Educator of the Year Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must be currently serving or have recently served in a nursing education role in an academic institution or clinical training environment. Must demonstrate excellence in curriculum design, teaching innovation, or student mentorship. Must provide evidence of positive student outcomes.
Category 06
Nurse Preceptor of the Year
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must be currently serving or have recently served as a nurse preceptor, clinical mentor, or orientation lead. Must demonstrate sustained commitment to supporting onboarding and skill development of newly licensed nurses. Must provide evidence of positive orientee outcomes.
Category 07
Business Coach of the Year
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must be actively engaged in coaching, consulting, or mentoring nurses in business development, entrepreneurship, or career transitions. Must demonstrate a proven track record of helping nurses launch, grow, or scale professional ventures. Must provide evidence of client success stories.
Category 08
Nursing Student of the Year
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must be currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program (ADN, BSN, or graduate level). Must demonstrate academic excellence and outstanding clinical performance. Minimum 3.3 GPA. Must have completed at least 50% of the nursing curriculum. Must provide evidence of leadership within the academic setting.
Category 09
Mentorship Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must be actively engaged in mentoring nurses or nursing students over a sustained and meaningful period. Must demonstrate positive and measurable impact on the professional growth, confidence, and career trajectory of mentees. Must provide evidence of structured mentorship activities.
Category 10
Nurse Influencer Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must maintain an active and credible presence on social media, digital platforms, podcasts, or public media channels dedicated to advocating for the nursing profession. Must demonstrate the ability to educate, inspire, and mobilize the nursing community. Must provide evidence of meaningful audience engagement.
Category 11
Leadership & Innovation Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must have demonstrated visionary leadership in designing and implementing innovative programs, technologies, or strategies that advance healthcare delivery. Must provide evidence of measurable improvements in patient outcomes, operational efficiency, or nursing practice.
Category 12
40 Under 40 Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must be under the age of 40 at time of nomination and hold an active nursing license or be enrolled in an accredited nursing program. Must have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in nursing practice, leadership, education, research, advocacy, or entrepreneurship.
Category 13
CNA of the Year Award
Friday Brunch+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must be currently serving or have recently served as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a healthcare facility, long-term care, or community setting. Must demonstrate exceptional dedication to direct patient care including compassion, clinical reliability, and strong communication with patients and families.
Category 14
Community Service Award
Friday Brunch+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must demonstrate a sustained and meaningful commitment to volunteer work, community health initiatives, or charitable activities outside of primary employment. Must provide evidence of positive impact on underserved populations, public health outcomes, or health equity.
Category 15
Healthcare Advocacy Award
Friday Brunch+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must demonstrate consistent and impactful leadership in advocating for healthcare policy reform, patient rights, nursing workforce issues, or health equity. Must provide evidence of engagement with legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, or public campaigns.
Category 16
Nursing School of the Year
Friday Brunch+ View eligibility criteria
Nominee must be an accredited nursing program (ADN, BSN, MSN, or DNP) with a demonstrated record of excellence in nursing education. Must provide evidence of consistently high NCLEX pass rates, strong graduate employment rates, and innovative curriculum design.
Selection Process

How Winners Are Selected

All award categories are decided by 100% committee vote.

Timeline

  • Nominations open: March 22, 2026
  • Nominations deadline: May 30, 2026
  • Finalists notified: July 30, 2026
  • Winners announced: August 22, 2026

Eligibility

  • Must be active in nursing or healthcare
  • Open to US and international nominees
  • Self-nominations accepted and encouraged
  • One nomination per nominee per category
  • All nominees must attend the ceremony in Orlando, FL (August 20–22, 2026)
  • 40 Under 40: under 40 by August 22, 2026
  • Nursing Student: min 3.3 GPA, 50% curriculum complete
Why It Matters

Why This Award Matters

Recognition of nursing leadership drives professional advancement across the entire healthcare system. The TNM Awards elevate deserving nurses to a national and international stage, amplifying their influence and inspiring the next generation of healthcare leaders. Being honored by The Nurses Magazine connects recipients with a platform reaching over 6.3 million professionals, creating lasting career and community impact. This award exists because the nursing profession deserves champions who are seen, celebrated, and remembered.

01
Professional Advancement
Honorees gain national recognition that opens doors to speaking engagements, leadership roles, and career-defining opportunities.
02
Elevating the Profession
Every award shines a light on the vital role nurses play in healthcare—amplifying the profession's value to the public and policymakers.
03
National Visibility
Honorees are featured in The Nurses Magazine® print and digital editions, reaching a combined audience of 6.3M+ annually.
04
Inspiring Future Leaders
Recognition of excellence sets a living example for nursing students and early-career nurses charting their own paths in healthcare.
Nominations

Who May Submit a Nomination

The TNM Awards welcomes nominations from across the nursing and healthcare community. Peer recognition, organizational endorsement, and leadership nominations carry significant weight with the selection committee. All submissions are reviewed under the same rigorous standards.

Colleagues & Peers
Fellow nurses who have witnessed first-hand the nominee's dedication, clinical excellence, or leadership impact are encouraged to submit nominations.
Nurse Leaders & Executives
CNOs, directors, charge nurses, and nursing managers are invited to nominate exceptional members of their teams or the broader nursing community.
Hospitals & Healthcare Organizations
Health systems, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare organizations may submit nominations on behalf of deserving staff or partners.
Academic Institutions
Nursing schools, faculty members, and program administrators may nominate students, faculty, or alumni who exemplify excellence in nursing education.
Community Organizations
Nonprofits, advocacy groups, faith-based institutions, and community health organizations may nominate nurses making a measurable difference beyond the clinical setting.
Self-Nominations
Self-nominations are accepted and reviewed under the same rigorous standards as all other submissions. Nominating yourself is a recognized act of professional confidence, not a disadvantage.
Judging & Selection

Independent Judging & Selection Process

The TNM Awards uses a rigorous, multi-step selection process overseen by an independent judging panel drawn from across the nursing and healthcare community. All decisions are final.

Judging Panel Composition

  • Nurse executives and Chief Nursing Officers
  • Nursing educators and academic leaders
  • Clinical leaders and advanced practice nurses
  • Healthcare administrators and policy professionals
  • Public health professionals and community advocates
  • Past TNM Award honorees
  • Community and industry leaders committed to healthcare excellence

Judge Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated professional credentials and advanced nursing or healthcare qualifications
  • Recognized leadership at the regional, national, or international level
  • Minimum five years of experience in their field
  • Commitment to advancing healthcare excellence and professional integrity
  • Diversity of background, specialty, and geographic representation
  • No active financial or personal conflicts with nominated individuals

Five-Step Selection Process

1
Nomination Review
All submissions are screened for completeness and baseline eligibility by the TNM Awards team before advancing to independent review.
2
Independent Scoring
Qualifying nominations are scored individually by independent judges using the standardized 100-point rubric without collaboration or discussion.
3
Panel Deliberation
Judges convene to review aggregate scores, discuss top nominations, and resolve close decisions through structured deliberation.
4
Final Approval
Final selections are reviewed by the TNM Awards Committee to ensure consistency, equity, and alignment with the mission and standards of the awards program.
5
Notification
Finalists are notified by July 30, 2026. Winners are announced at the ceremony on August 22, 2026. All decisions are final.
Conflict of Interest Policy All panel members are required to disclose any personal, professional, or financial relationships with nominees prior to the review process. Judges must recuse themselves from scoring any category or nomination in which a conflict of interest exists. Undisclosed conflicts are grounds for removal from the panel.
Confidentiality Commitment All deliberations, individual scores, and judge identities are kept strictly confidential throughout the selection process. Judges are bound by a confidentiality agreement and may not discuss deliberations or outcomes until after the official announcement on August 22, 2026.
Ticket Info for Nominees All nominees will receive 50% off the original ticket price for the awards event.
Scoring Framework

Awards Scoring Rubric & Evaluation Framework

All nominations are evaluated using a standardized 100-point rubric. Each criterion is scored independently by judges on its own merits. The total composite score determines finalist and winner selection.

25pts
Leadership Excellence
Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and influence others. Evidence of vision, strategic thinking, and the capacity to drive meaningful change within teams, organizations, or the broader profession.
25pts
Professional Impact
Measurable contributions to nursing practice, patient outcomes, or the healthcare system. Judges look for concrete, documented results that go beyond the nominee's core responsibilities.
20pts
Innovation & Advancement
Evidence of original thinking, novel approaches, or the introduction of new programs, technologies, or methods that have meaningfully advanced nursing practice or healthcare delivery.
20pts
Service & Community Contribution
Commitment to serving others beyond primary professional duties — including volunteer work, community health initiatives, mentorship, and advocacy for underserved or vulnerable populations.
10pts
Professional Reputation & Character
Evidence of professional integrity, ethical conduct, and respect within the nursing community. Includes testimonials, peer recognition, and the nominee's standing as a role model in their field.
100pts
Total Composite Score
The sum of all five criteria. Finalists and winners are determined by composite score, with panel deliberation applied to resolve close decisions.
Transparency & Integrity

Transparency, Eligibility & Participation Policy

The Nurses Magazine is committed to conducting the TNM Awards with the highest standards of fairness, integrity, and public trust. The following policies govern all aspects of the nomination, selection, and recognition process.

Free Nominations

Submitting a nomination for the TNM Awards is completely free of charge. There is no application fee, submission fee, or processing charge at any stage of the nomination process. Any individual or organization may nominate a deserving candidate at no cost.

No Purchase Required to Win

Making a purchase of any kind — including tickets, advertising, magazine features, or sponsorship packages — has no bearing on a nominee's eligibility, finalist status, or likelihood of winning. Award selections are made exclusively on the basis of merit as evaluated by the independent judging panel.

Separation of Recognition & Sponsorship

Sponsorship of the TNM Awards event is a distinct and separate program from the awards selection process. Sponsors receive event and marketing benefits; sponsorship does not influence, accelerate, or affect the outcome of any award category. The judging panel operates independently of the sponsorship program.

Integrity & Public Trust

The TNM Awards program is designed to honor genuine excellence in nursing. Any attempt to manipulate, misrepresent, or compromise the integrity of the selection process will result in disqualification. TNM reserves the right to revoke any award if post-announcement information reveals eligibility violations or misrepresentation.

⚠ Attendance Is Required

All nominees, finalists, and honorees must attend the TNM Awards celebration to receive recognition and maintain eligibility. This policy ensures that every honoree is personally recognized and that the integrity of the award ceremony is preserved. The ceremony takes place August 20–22, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. Nominations for individuals who confirm they cannot attend will not be accepted.

Official Nomination Form

Submit Your Nomination

Select your award category first — the form will show only the fields relevant to that category.

TNM Awards 2026 — Nomination Form

Second Annual Awards & Symposium | August 20–22, 2026 | Orlando, Florida

1
Choose Category
2
Your Info
3
Nominee Info
4
Statement
5
Review & Submit

Nomination Received — Thank You!

Your nomination has been submitted successfully. You will receive a confirmation email shortly. Finalists will be notified by July 30, 2026.

Step 1 — Choose Your Award Category

Select the category you are nominating for. The form will then show only the fields and guidance relevant to that specific award.

Saturday Gala
Lifetime Achievement Award
Saturday Gala
Trailblazer Award
Saturday Gala
Chief Nursing Officer of the Year
Saturday Gala
Rising Star Award
Saturday Gala
Educator of the Year Award
Saturday Gala
Nurse Preceptor of the Year
Saturday Gala
Business Coach of the Year
Saturday Gala
Nursing Student of the Year
Saturday Gala
Mentorship Award
Saturday Gala
Nurse Influencer Award
Saturday Gala
Leadership & Innovation Award
Saturday Gala
40 Under 40 Award
Friday Brunch
CNA of the Year Award
Friday Brunch
Community Service Award
Friday Brunch
Healthcare Advocacy Award
Friday Brunch
Nursing School of the Year
Select a category above to continue
Step 2 — Your Information (The Nominator)
Step 3 — Nominee Information
Mandatory Attendance Requirement All nominees are REQUIRED to attend the TNM Awards ceremony in Orlando, FL on August 20–22, 2026. Nominations for individuals who cannot attend will not be accepted.
This nomination cannot proceed. Attendance at the ceremony is mandatory for all nominees. If the nominee’s availability changes, you are welcome to submit a new nomination at that time.
Social Media Profiles (optional)
@
Supporting Documents
Files are uploaded directly and securely stored with your nomination. Max file size: 5MB each. Accepted formats shown per field.
+
Click to upload headshot
JPG, PNG | Max 5MB | Professional photo preferred
+
Click to upload CV or Resume
PDF, DOC, DOCX | Max 5MB
Nursing Student of the Year — Additional Requirements
Must be currently enrolled, minimum 3.3 GPA, and have completed at least 50% of the nursing curriculum.
40 Under 40 — Age Verification
Nominee must be under the age of 40 on August 22, 2026 (born after August 22, 1986).
Must be born after August 22, 1986.
CNO of the Year — Executive Verification
Nursing School of the Year — Program Details
Step 4 — Nomination Statement
Writing a Strong Statement
Be specific — include numbers, program names, patient outcomes, or policies changed. Stronger statements receive more committee consideration.
Include specific numbers, outcomes, and examples. 0 / 350 words
Please do not duplicate your CV. Share accomplishments not already captured in your uploaded resume.
Nurse Influencer — Platform Details
Business Coach of the Year — Coaching Focus
Step 5 — Review Your Nomination

Questions? Info@thenursesmagazine.com | 407-205-7191

Sponsorship

Partner With the TNM Awards 2026

Sponsorship packages from $3,499 to $50,000. Event signage, program advertising, VIP tickets, social recognition, and more.

Looking for the 2025 Award Winners?  View the 2025 TNM Award Winners >