Lifetime Achievement Award
The AONL Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a distinguished nurse leader whose career reflects sustained excellence, transformational leadership and enduring contributions to the nursing profession. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated superior leadership through service, innovation, advocacy and a lifelong commitment to advancing nursing leadership while exemplifying AONL’s mission and strategic priorities. Nominees must demonstrate a lifetime of leadership accomplishments rather than a single achievement or position.
Eligibility Requirements
All of the following eligibility criteria must be met to advance the nomination to scoring review:
- Active AONL member in good standing for a minimum of 10 years,
- Minimum 25 years as a Registered Nurse,
- Minimum 10 years in nursing leadership,
- Director level or above with demonstrated national impact,
- Graduate degree (Master’s or Doctorate),
- Attendance at a minimum of three AONL Annual Conferences,
- Significant leadership contributions to AONL,
- Sustained contributions advancing the nursing profession and
- Recognized as a distinguished nursing leader by peers and colleagues.
Nomination Process
Any AONL member may nominate a candidate for the award by submitting:
- Nomination form, which has a series of questions requiring a narrative and evidence to support the nominee’s leadership across nine AONL strategic objectives
- CV or resume
- Two letters of recommendation.
Selection Process
The AONL Board of Directors scores applications across nine objectives organized under three AONL strategic priorities. Each objective is scored on a scale of 0-10, for a maximum score of 90 points.
Dates and Deadlines for AONL & AONL Foundation Awards
SUBMISSION DEADLINE November 6, 2026
NOMINEES NOTIFIED January 2027
AWARD PRESENTATION AONL Annual Conference, April 12-17, 2027; Phoenix