NNA AWARDS

Do you know a nurse in Nebraska who is an NNA member that has made an incredible impact on the nursing profession, shown extraordinary achievement, or influenced nursing with their skills and knowledge? The Nebraska Nurses Association is looking for nominations for our annual NNA Awards

Guidelines

The nominee must be an NNA member in good standing. An individual having personal knowledge of the nominee’s abilities and contributions that reflect the focus of the specific award should write the letter of nomination (self-nominations accepted). Two letters of support are required with each application – a self-nomination will have 3 letters (self-nomination letter and 2 more letters of support). Please include the nominee’s credentials in the letters of nomination. Include a photo of nominee if available. A curriculum vitae or resume is helpful but not required.

Deadline for submitting nominations is August 17, 2026.

Note: Only one (1) recipient will be selected for each award category.

 Nurse of the Year

This award focuses on outstanding achievement in nursing over a one-year period. The nominee must be directly involved in nursing through clinical practice, education, administration, or research and have made a positive impact on the quality of nursing care or the nursing profession.

 Extraordinary Achievement in Nursing

This award focuses on achievement in nursing over a cumulative number of years. There must be evidence of significant contributions to nursing at the local, state or national level.

 NNA Award for Distinguished Service

This award focuses on the nominee’s service to the NNA at the district or state level over the past year.

 Notable New Nurse

This award focuses on outstanding achievement in nursing by an RN practicing for five years or less since graduation from an entry level Registered Nursing program.

 Excellence in Direct Patient Care

The focus of this award is on achievement in nursing by a nurse providing direct patient care. The nominee is recognized for nursing expertise provided in a caring, professional manner.

 Outstanding Nurse Educator

This award focuses on achievement by a nurse whose primary role is as an educator. The nominee must be directly involved in patient education, nursing education, continuing education or staff development. The award recognizes innovation and expertise in the educator role.

 NNA Hall of Fame

NNA has established the Nebraska Nursing Hall of Fame to honor those nurses who through their work, scholarship and accomplishments have brought honor and fame to the profession of nursing and the State of Nebraska. Such a Hall of Fame serves as a memorial to the legacy of those nurses on whose shoulders we stand. This award recognizes outstanding nursing leaders who have demonstrated excellence through sustained, lifelong contributions to the field of nursing and its impact on the health and/or social history of Nebraska. Patterned after the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame, NNA’s Nebraska Nursing Hall of Fame will be a permanent and lasting tribute to nurses whose dedication and achievements have enduring value beyond their lifetime.

Criteria

1. The nominee must have demonstrated leadership that affected the health and/or social history of Nebraska and/or United States through sustained, lifelong contributions in or to nursing practice, education, administration, research, economics, or literature.
2. The nominee must have been prepared in a formal registered nursing program unless the contribution was made before formal nursing education was available.
3. The nominee must have been an NNA or ANA member at some point during their career unless the contribution was made before nurses’ registration, Nebraska statehood, or the NNA or ANA was established.
4. The nominee must have lived in, been educated, worked in, or represented Nebraska.
5. The achievements of the nominee must have enduring value to nursing beyond the nominee’s lifetime. (Nominees for the Hall of Fame may be living or deceased).

Friend of Nursing Award

The NNA Friend of Nursing Award recognizes an individual, organization, business, community partner, policymaker, or healthcare leader who is not a nurse, but who has demonstrated exceptional support for the nursing profession and the advancement of healthcare in Nebraska. This award honors those who champion nurses through advocacy, collaboration, leadership, philanthropy, education, innovation, or community service, and whose efforts have positively impacted nurses, nursing practice, healthcare outcomes, or the communities nurses serve.

Criteria

The nominee for the NNA Friend of Nursing Award should demonstrate one or more of the following:

• Outstanding support or advocacy for the nursing profession and healthcare initiatives.
• Meaningful collaboration with nurses or nursing organizations that has positively impacted patient care, healthcare delivery, nursing education, workforce development, or professional practice.
• Leadership in promoting policies, programs, funding, or initiatives that strengthen nursing and healthcare in Nebraska.
• Significant contributions to improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, or communities through partnership with nursing.
• A demonstrated commitment to recognizing, valuing, and elevating the role of nurses within healthcare and the community.

The nominee does not need to be a nurse or a member of the NNA. Individuals, businesses, organizations, legislators, educators, healthcare leaders, or community advocates are eligible for nomination.