CNL Educator Award

The candidate must be nominated by a nursing colleague, co-faculty member, dean, CNL graduate, or CNL student. (Nominations of previous nominees are accepted but should be updated and permission from the nominee confirmed.) The candidate must meet the following criteria:

• Hold CNL certification from the CNC
• Employed as a faculty member and/or program director for a CNL master’s or post-master’s CNL education program for a minimum of two years
• Demonstrate innovative pedagogy using a variety of teaching strategies and learning experiences that facilitate CNL student learning outcomes
• Demonstrate engagement in partnerships with practice to transform CNL education and patient care with sustainable outcomes (specific examples of outcomes should be included)
• Demonstrate professional leadership in developing and sustaining the CNL skill set through innovative partnerships with a variety of stakeholders (e.g. other disciplines, businesses, professional organizations)
• Serve as a role model to bridge CNL education with practice by contributing positively to the professional education and practice environment
• Promote change or collaboration within the education and practice systems to improve quality of patient care
• Advocate for the CNL skill set at the local, state, or national levels, including publications and/or presentations

If selected, the recipient must be available to attend the 2023 CNL Summit and Research Symposium and present a 5-10-minute presentation highlighting his/her experiences, actions, and outcomes implementing and advancing the CNL.

The application must include a criteria statement/narrative (not to exceed two pages in length) that explains how the candidate demonstrates the eligibility criteria and two letters of support from individuals other than the person submitting the application. These individuals may be from academia or practice and should describe their relationship with the CNL educator, length of time known, and how the nominee embodies the award criteria. The criteria statement/narrative and two letters of support may be submitted as an attachment.

Deadline: Application is now closed.

The application for the 2023 CNL Educator Award must include the completed application form, criteria statement/narrative and two letters of support. All materials must be submitted together. The completed application and letters of support should be submitted electronically to Bridget Bingle at bbingle@aacnnursing.org.  

A review panel (two members representing AACN and one member of the CNC’s Board of Commissioners) will consider all completed applications received by the deadline. The recipient will be selected based upon the information submitted describing how the nominee meets the eligibility criteria; preference will be given to the applicant who has demonstrated innovative and effective change for care delivery and CNL education. The recipient will be notified by Monday, December 5, 2022.

(By submitting the application, all parties consent and authorize use of the narratives as well as future photos for promotional purposes. Excerpts from the application will be read during the award presentation at the CNL Summit. Descriptions may be included in a future database of CNL best practices. It is the responsibility of the individual submitting the application to obtain permission from the nominee prior to submitting the application.)