October 22–24, 2026 | Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando, FL
The Nurses Magazine
The Nurses Magazine
Symposium & Awards 2026
An International Celebration of Excellence
About the Awards
Honoring the Best in Nursing
Leadership & Excellence
The Nurses Magazine Symposium & Awards returns to Orlando, Florida — October 22–24, 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
Free
To submit a nomination
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.
October
22–24
2026
The Nurses Magazine Symposium & Awards
An International Celebration of ExcellenceRosen Plaza Hotel · 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: Extended (TBA)
- Finalists notified: TBA
- Winners announced: October 24, 2026
Ceremony Schedule
Awards Brunch & Gala Ceremony
Friday, October 23, 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, October 24, 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
Event Agenda
The Nurses Magazine Symposium & Awards 2026 Agenda
Three full days of keynote sessions, breakout learning tracks, exhibit hall access, and celebration — culminating in the Awards Gala.
Day 1
Thursday
October 22, 2026
- 3:00 – 5:00 PMRegistration & Check-In
- 5:00 – 7:00 PMExhibit Hall
- 7:00 – 8:00 PMWelcome Reception / Meet & Greet
- 8:00 – 11:00 PMNurses Got Talent
Day 2
Friday
October 23, 2026
- 9:00 – 10:00 AMKeynote Speaker
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PMBreakout Sessions
- 12:30 – 2:30 PMBrunch & Fashion Show: From Scrub to C-Suite
- 2:30 – 5:30 PMExhibit Hall
- 5:30 – 7:30 PMBreakout Sessions
Day 3
Saturday
October 24, 2026
- 8:00 – 9:00 AMLevel Up Hour
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMBreakout Sessions
- 12:00 – 1:00 PMVIP Leadership Luncheon
- 6:00 – 7:30 PMCocktail Hour & Red Carpet
- 7:30 – 11:00 PMAwards Ceremony
Clinical ExcellenceCareer Advancement & Professional DevelopmentScholarship & PublishingAesthetic & Specialized PracticeWellness & ResilienceNursing Students & New GraduatesK to 12 Track: Elementary, Middle & High School
View the Complete Official Agenda
Full session descriptions, speaker details, learning outcomes, and room assignments for all three days.
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 criteriaMinimum 20 years of distinguished service. Sustained contributions to nursing practice, education, research, or healthcare policy. Evidence of mentoring emerging nurses or building a lasting legacy.
Category 02
Trailblazer Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaIntroduced innovative approaches, programs, or technologies that significantly advanced nursing. Courage challenging the status quo. Evidence of measurable outcomes and lasting impact.
Category 03
Chief Nursing Officer of the Year
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaCurrently or recently serving as CNO, VP of Nursing, or equivalent executive. Excellence in strategic leadership, staff development, and resource management. Evidence of improved patient safety, nurse satisfaction, or retention.
Category 04
Rising Star Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaLicensed nurse with 1 to 5 years of professional experience. Exceptional clinical performance and emerging leadership. Evidence of contributions beyond primary role.
Category 05
Educator of the Year Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaCurrently or recently in a nursing education role. Excellence in curriculum design, teaching innovation, or student mentorship. Evidence of positive student outcomes.
Category 06
Nurse Preceptor of the Year
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaCurrently or recently serving as nurse preceptor, clinical mentor, or orientation lead. Sustained commitment to onboarding and skill development. Evidence of positive orientee outcomes.
Category 07
Business Coach of the Year
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaActively coaching nurses in business development, entrepreneurship, or career transitions. Proven track record of client success and program outcomes.
Category 08
Nursing Student of the Year
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaCurrently enrolled in accredited nursing program (ADN, BSN, or graduate). Minimum 3.3 GPA. At least 50% of curriculum complete. Evidence of leadership within academic setting.
Category 09
Mentorship Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaActively mentoring nurses or students over a sustained period. Positive measurable impact on mentees. Evidence of structured mentorship activities.
Category 10
Nurse Influencer Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaActive on social media, digital platforms, or podcasts for nursing advocacy. Ability to educate, inspire, and mobilize the nursing community. Evidence of meaningful audience engagement.
Category 11
Leadership & Innovation Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaVisionary leadership implementing innovative programs or strategies in healthcare. Evidence of measurable improvements in patient outcomes, efficiency, or nursing practice.
Category 12
40 Under 40 Award
Saturday Gala+ View eligibility criteriaUnder 40 by October 10, 2026 (born after October 10, 1986). Active nursing license or enrolled in accredited program. Exceptional accomplishments relative to career stage.
Category 13
CNA of the Year Award
Friday Brunch+ View eligibility criteriaCurrently or recently serving as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Exceptional dedication to direct patient care including compassion, reliability, and strong communication.
Category 14
Community Service Award
Friday Brunch+ View eligibility criteriaSustained commitment to volunteer work or community health outside primary employment. Positive impact on underserved populations or health equity.
Category 15
Healthcare Advocacy Award
Friday Brunch+ View eligibility criteriaConsistent leadership in healthcare policy reform, patient rights, or health equity. Evidence of engagement with legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, or public campaigns.
Category 16
Nursing School of the Year
Friday Brunch+ View eligibility criteriaAccredited nursing program (ADN, BSN, MSN, or DNP). Consistently high NCLEX pass rates, strong graduate employment rates, and innovative curriculum.
Selection Process
How Winners Are Selected
All award categories are decided by 100% committee vote.
Timeline
- Nominations open: March 22, 2026
- Nominations deadline: Extended (TBA)
- Finalists notified: TBA
- Winners announced: October 24, 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 (October 22–24, 2026)
- 40 Under 40: under 40 by October 10, 2026
- Nursing Student: min 3.3 GPA, 50% curriculum complete
Sponsorship
Partner With The Nurses Magazine Symposium & 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 >
