2026 ANA-NY Awards Nominations

Mentorship Award 

The ANA-NY Mentorship Award recognizes a nurse who has been an exemplary mentor to less experienced nurses (novices) in any domain of nursing – education, research, practice improvement, clinical practice, and/or health policy. The recipient of this award will have provided professional guidance and support to the mentees over a protracted-time period during the evolution of their careers in an effort to help the mentees reach their professional, mutually agreed-upon goals.  

Criteria:  

• Demonstrated activity as a mentor through: 
• Documentation by at least two (2) mentees of the role played by the mentor in helping them to achieve their professional goals; 
• Collaborative publications and/or presentations with a mentee as the first author; and 
• Acknowledgment of mentor in published works (mentor not the author) or awards supported by mentor (mentor not part of the award). 
• Protracted relationship between mentor and mentee (i.e., going beyond a working relationship). Examples: If a faculty member, working with a student beyond graduation from a program. If in a clinical role, meeting and working with mentee beyond work hours. 

Policy and Service 

The ANA-NY Policy and Service Award recognize a nurse who has made significant contributions in the policy, legislative, and/or nursing service sectors of the profession and has contributed in these realms beyond their own practice to advocate within the policy and/or service arenas to bring change to nursing and the healthcare system.  

Criteria:  

• Demonstrated activity in policy and/or service through a minimum of two (2): 
• Political activity (i.e., development and support of the legislation, campaign work, fundraising, or lobbying), which promotes the nursing profession in political and health care arenas 
• Advancement of the knowledge of nurses, politicians, and policymakers concerning the contributions of nursing in the health care field 
• Development of mechanisms to promote the effectiveness of nursing's role in the provision of health care services through political and/or legislative activities 
• Promotion of the role of nursing as a scholarly discipline by using research findings as a foundation for legislative and regulatory initiatives that promote the role of nursing and the safety and quality of care of our patients 
• Demonstrated activity in ANA-NYs policy, leadership, scholarship, and/or educational agenda 

Nursing Practice: Early Career 

The ANA-NY Nursing Practice Award recognizes and celebrates excellence in the provision of direct care to patients, families, communities, and/or populations. The recipient of this award exemplifies a high level of compassion and expertise in the provision of such health care.   

Criteria:   

• Within five (5) years of initial licensure  
• At least a Bachelor’s degree in nursing  
• Demonstrated evidence of significant contribution to improved quality of patient care  
• Demonstrated evidence of recognition for excellence in practice  
• Modeled a holistic approach for care of both family and patient, cultural sensitivity, and excellent patient/family education  

Friend of Nursing 

The ANA-NY Friend of Nursing Award recognizes non-nurse individuals or organizations (excluding professional nursing organizations) who have had a significant positive impact on ANA-NY, the health care community, and/or the health of people.  

Criteria:  

• Demonstrated commitment to the purposes and goals of ANA-NY. 
• Demonstrated superior achievement and leadership in their field of work. 
• Sustained contribution(s) of lasting significance to ANA-NY, the nursing profession, and/or the health of people in New York State. 
• Examples of contributions to the nursing profession include, but are not limited to: 
• Leadership in strategic efforts to promote legislation and/or regulation supportive of Registered Nurses and their patients 
• Implementation of critical research which supports the nursing profession 
• Provision of exemplary service to a professional nursing organization 
• Participated in or lead collaborative efforts to improve health care 
• Demonstrated leadership in the promotion of Registered Professional Nurses as equal partners in the health care system 

Non-Member Award Application materials:  

• Written narrative nomination by the nominator(s) (or self) that addresses how the nominee meets the criteria for the award; not to exceed 500 words or two double spaced typewritten pages 
• Two (2) letters of support from professional colleagues 

Excellence in nursing happens every day in classrooms, clinical settings, research environments, and communities across our state.

The ANA-NY Awards:

• Elevate outstanding professional contributions
  
  
• Recognize leadership and innovation
  
  
• Highlight scholarship and impact
  
  
• Inspire the next generation of nurses
  
  
• Strengthen the visibility of our profession
  
  

When we recognize excellence, we strengthen nursing in New York.

• Nominee must be a Registered Professional Nurse (RN)
  
  
• Must practice or have practiced in New York State
  
  
• Must be a current ANA-NY member (unless otherwise noted)
  
  
• Current ANA-NY Directors are not eligible

1. Review the award criteria carefully.
2. Complete the nomination form.
3. Submit all required supporting documentation before the deadline.
   

Deadline: April 3, 2026

Questions?

For questions regarding eligibility or submission requirements, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.