AANN Awards Program
The call for nominations for the 2025 awards are open now and will close on Friday, November 1, 2024.
Please consider nominating an AANN member or chapter that demonstrates excellence within practice arenas in addition to advancing neuroscience nursing through local, regional, or national AANN activities. Award discriptions, applications, and recent winners are below.
Help promote the awards at your hospital. Print and display the awards flyer to encourage your colleagues to nominate a deserving nurse.
Learn more about the 2024 award winners.
Award Requirements
- Nominees must be a current AANN member
- Peer or colleague nominations are accepted. It is against AANN policy for multiple nominations to be submitted on behalf of the same person, for the same award. Multiple people may nominate the same person for an award by submitting 1 essay signed by multiple nominators.
- No self-nominations.
- Recipients of any AANN award within the last 2 years are not eligible
- All award prizes are non-transferable.
If you are already receiving complimentary registration from your involvement as a Past President or service on another committee, your award of complimentary registration is non-transferable. - Award nominations will be accepted through Friday, November 1, 2024.
- Nomination forms can be sent to info@aann.org.
Awards are presented each year at the Annual Conference. Award winners receive free registration to the Annual Conference and an award stipend to assist with travel expenses. The Outstanding Chapter winner and Team Harmony Award winner receives a $500 prize. All award prizes are non-transferable.
Award Categories
Team Harmony Award
This award recognizes an outstanding unit/clinic that supports and advances excellence in neuroscience care in harmony. The award is open to any unit (inpatient or outpatient) where patients receive neuroscience care. At least one member of the team must hold a current AANN membership. Nominees for this award demonstrate team member engagement to drive and support patient outcomes, contributes to the professional growth of team members to expand their scope within neuroscience, and demonstrates excellence through leadership and advocacy for neuroscience health.
DOWNLOAD THE TEAM HARMONY AWARD APPLICATION
Rising Star in Clinical Practice Award
This award recognizes excellence in clinical practice for an emerging neuroscience nurse in the novice to competent stage of career development, and is open to all AANN members with 1–3 years' experience in neuroscience nursing. Nominees for this award demonstrate their commitment to neuroscience nursing through a high standard of practice and professionalism, knowledge of neuroscience and neuroscience patient, and a caring approach to patients.
DOWNLOAD THE RISING STAR IN CLINICAL PRACTICE APPLICATION
Excellence in Clinical Patient Care Award
This award is to recognize excellence in clinical practice for a nurse caring for the neuroscience patient in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. This award recognizes the potential of a nurse in the competent to expert stage of career development.
DOWNLOAD THE EXCELLENCE IN CLINICAL PATIENT CARE APPLICATION
Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing Award
The Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing Award is awarded to a neuroscience nurse in an advanced practice role. Nominees for the Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing Award demonstrate excellence in nursing care and advancement of neuroscience nursing as a specialty through the development and support of nurses. This award is open to all AANN RN members practicing in an Advanced Practice role in neuroscience nursing. Advanced Practice role as defined by ANA includes the roles of Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Midwife, and Nurse Anesthetist.
DOWNLOAD THE EXCELLENCE IN ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING APPLICATION
Excellence in Neuroscience Education Award
The recipient of the Excellence in Neuroscience Education Award demonstrates excellence in neuroscience nursing through contributions that inspire, develop, and support nurses in the provision of care to neuroscience patients. This award is open to all AANN RN members providing education related to neuroscience nursing including Clinical Educators, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Academic Faculty, and Staff Nurses. Nominees for the Excellence in Neuroscience Education Award may not be considered for other AANN awards concurrently.
DOWNLOAD THE EXCELLENCE IN NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION APPLICATION
Mary Decker Mentorship Award
This award, open to all AANN members, annually recognizes a neuroscience nurse for modeling excellence and mentoring other neuroscience nurses. Mary Decker exemplified excellence in mentorship through her work as a staff nurse, nurse practitioner, and member of the Hydrocephalus Association, Medical Advisory Board. As one of the first neuroscience PNPs in the country, her passion and commitment for mentoring was demonstrated as she guided both novices and experienced nurses.
DOWNLOAD THE MARY DECKER MENTORSHIP APPLICATION
Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award
This award recognizes outstanding chapters that support and advance the activities of AANN. This award is given in acknowledgment of chapter innovation that contributes to neuroscience nursing evidenced by development and implementation of innovative projects. Activities may be in the areas of education, health promotion, or other areas identified as a need by the chapter.