2nd Annual · International Celebration of Excellence
Nurses Magazine
Nurses Magazine
Symposium & Awards 2026
Celebrating Leadership, Innovation & Excellence in Nursing
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.
This year features 16 carefully curated award categories, distributed across a Friday brunch ceremony (4 categories) and the Saturday night gala (12 categories). The selection model combines 75% public community voting with 25% independent committee review.
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
75%
Public voting weight
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
2nd Annual Nurses Magazine Symposium & Awards
International Celebration of ExcellenceOrlando, Florida — Full venue details to be announced
What to expect
- Symposium sessions and leadership workshops
- Friday Brunch Ceremony — 4 award categories
- Saturday Night Gala — 12 award categories
- Networking with national nursing leaders
- Red carpet and professional photography
Key dates
- Nominations open: March 22, 2026
- Nominations deadline: July 15, 2026
- Finalists notified: July 30, 2026
- Winners announced: August 22, 2026
Ceremony Schedule
Two Ceremony Nights
Friday, August 21, 2026
Brunch Ceremony
4 Award Categories
13CNA of the Year Award
14Community Service Award
15Healthcare Advocacy Award
16Nursing School of the Year
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Gala Night 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee must be a licensed nurse with 1–5 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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 criteriaNominee 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
75%
Public Vote
Community nominations and public voting via the TNM platform
25%
Committee Review
Independent TNM Awards Committee
Timeline
- Nominations open: March 22, 2026
- Nominations deadline: July 15, 2026
- Finalists notified: July 30, 2026
- Winners announced: August 22, 2026
Eligibility
- Must be active in nursing or healthcare
- Must be based in the United States
- Self-nominations accepted and encouraged
- One nomination per nominee per category
- 40 Under 40: under 40 by August 22, 2026
- Nursing Student: min 3.3 GPA, 50% curriculum complete
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
2nd Annual Symposium & Awards · August 20–22, 2026 · Orlando, Florida
1
Choose Category2
Your Info3
Nominee Info4
Statement5
Review & SubmitNomination 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 Night Gala — August 22, 2026 · 12 Categories
Saturday Gala
Lifetime Achievement Award
20+ years distinguished service
Saturday Gala
Trailblazer Award
Innovative leader who changed the field
Saturday Gala
Chief Nursing Officer of the Year
CNO, VP Nursing, or equivalent executive
Saturday Gala
Rising Star Award
1–5 years nursing experience
Saturday Gala
Educator of the Year Award
Academic or clinical nursing educator
Saturday Gala
Nurse Preceptor of the Year
Preceptor or clinical mentor
Saturday Gala
Business Coach of the Year
Coaches nurses in business or entrepreneurship
Saturday Gala
Nursing Student of the Year
Currently enrolled · min 3.3 GPA
Saturday Gala
Mentorship Award
Sustained meaningful mentorship
Saturday Gala
Nurse Influencer Award
Social media, podcasts, digital platforms
Saturday Gala
Leadership & Innovation Award
Visionary leader, measurable impact
Saturday Gala
40 Under 40 Award
Under age 40 by August 22, 2026
Friday Brunch Ceremony — August 21, 2026 · 4 Categories
Friday Brunch
CNA of the Year Award
Certified Nursing Assistant
Friday Brunch
Community Service Award
Volunteer and community health impact
Friday Brunch
Healthcare Advocacy Award
Policy reform and patient advocacy
Friday Brunch
Nursing School of the Year
Accredited ADN / BSN / MSN / DNP program
Select a category above to continue
Step 2 — Your Information (The Nominator)
Step 3 — Nominee Information
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.
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).
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.
Be specific — include numbers, program names, patient outcomes, or policies changed. Stronger statements receive more committee consideration.
Include specific numbers, outcomes, and examples.
0 characters
Nurse Influencer — Platform Details
Business Coach of the Year — Coaching Focus
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 →
