Distinguished Graduates Award

• Should currently hold or has held a teaching or leadership position with a local, state, or national professional educational organization, a post-secondary educational institution, or an educational policy-making/review board.
• Must have published articles, chapters, a book, and/or a technical report that reflects scholarship, research, or advancement of the profession.
• Must serve or have served as a representative/spokesperson of the profession in policy-making with professional or political associations at the state or national level. 
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to students and life-long learning and enhancing his/her professional growth and that of others.

• Should be actively involved in government and/or community service
• Demonstrated exemplary contribution toward improving the quality of healthcare within their community through enhancing the healthcare system's capacity.
• Examples of activities may include:
  • Exemplary military service; government service at local, state, and/or national levels (i.e., county commission, legislative staff); support for broad-based educational or school improvement plans; or community-school partnership activities.

• Honors outstanding achievements in any area or level of nursing.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to the nursing profession and the continued enhancement of his/her professional growth.
• Have the respect of peers and significant service contributions to the field of nursing at any level in either a practicing, educational, or administrative capacity and to the betterment of his/her community.

• Graduated within the last ten years.
• Currently working, or for the past three years has worked as a nurse providing quality, compassionate care.
• Has demonstrated community involvement and/or achieved professional recognition.

The Exemplary Leadership Award recognizes an executive nurse leader who significantly influences professional nursing practice and the professional development of others. Candidates have demonstrated influence and impact on nursing practice, leadership, and community by:

• Influencing nursing standards and professional practice.
• Creating a vision for the future of nursing. Influencing others outside of nursing to advance the goals of nursing practice.
• Inspiring nurses to achieve excellence in nursing practice.
• Developing and executing effective approaches to improving nursing practice.
• Acting as a catalyst for innovative future care delivery models.
• Serving as a formal and informal mentor to nurses.
• Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion Advocating for the nursing profession.

Candidates must have a master’s degree with a specialty certification, and evidence of higher education such as a DNP, PhD, or other terminal degree is preferred but not required.