CNL Educator Award

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

• Current CNL Certification 
• 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
• Provide examples of engagement in partnerships with practice to transform CNL education and patient care with sustainable outcomes 
• Demonstrate professional leadership in developing and sustaining the CNL skill set through innovative partnerships 
• Serve as a role model to bridge CNL education with practice by contributing professional education and practice environment
• Promote change and collaboration within the education and practice systems to improve the quality of patient care
• Advocate for the CNL skill set at the local, state, or national levels, to include publications and/or presentations

If selected, the recipient must be available to attend the 2025 ICNLA Conference and present a brief 5–10-minute presentation highlighting his/her experience, actions, and outcomes implementing and advancing CNL education and the CNL.

The application must include a completed application form, a criteria statement/narrative no more than two pages that details 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 should be submitted as attachments.

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 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.

(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.)