AONL Exemplary Leadership Award
The AONL Exemplary Leadership Award recognizes a nurse leader who has significantly influenced professional nursing practice and the professional development of others throughout their career. AONL believes every nurse has the potential to be a leader and inspire evidence-based care. This award supports AONL's mission by honoring an individual whose sustained influence and evolving impact—across career stages—has advanced nursing practice, leadership and community health.
Honorees demonstrate leadership that grows in scope and influence over time: from practice-level contributions early in their career, to organizational transformation, to regional, national or cross-sector impact. The nominee's body of work should reflect AONL's 2026 strategic priorities: leading and inspiring the workforce, eliminating disparities in healthcare outcomes and advancing technology and innovation.
Eligibility Requirements
All of the following eligibility criteria must be met to advance the nomination to scoring review:
- Active AONL member in good standing,
- Sustained engagement with AONL and
- Current members of the AONL Board of Directors and AONL staff are not eligible.
Nomination Process
Any AONL member may nominate a candidate for the award by submitting:
- Nomination form, which has a series of questions about the nominee's career arc, leadership trajectory and evolving impact,
- CV or resume and
- Two letters of recommendation.
Selection Process
The AONL Awards Taskforce scores applications across 14 objectives organized under three priorities. Each objective is scored on a scale of 0-10, for a maximum score of 140 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