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Individual Awards

Three Nurses Looking at the Camera in a Hospital Setting

Member/CMSRN® Nominated Awards

AMSN and MSNCB are pleased to recognize members and CMSRNs for your phenomenal work! The compassionate care and clinical expertise you provide patients and families goes above and beyond.

We are proud of the advancements in health care you make, and we appreciate your contributions, not only in your professional practice, but in the lives of your patients and families. You truly exemplify the qualities that define excellence in medical-surgical nursing. You are everyday heroes!

One of each of the awards for individuals may be presented each year, provided there is a nominee meeting the award criteria. Presentation takes place during the AMSN Annual Convention.

Eligibility Requirements

Nominees must meet the following general eligibility requirements as well as those displayed within the individual award sections below.

  • Registered Nurse (RN) in good standing
  • Promotes the specialty of medical-surgical nursing
  • Currently practicing in the field of medical-surgical nursing
  • May not be a current member of the AMSN or MSNCB Boards of Directors, Scholarship & Awards Committee, or AMSN/MSNCB staff

The Clinical Leadership Award

  • Minimum 5 years experience in medical-surgical nursing
  • Current AMSN member in good standing for at least 12 months
  • Nominee may be in a clinical nurse, educator, manager, or administrator role, providing they meet the definition of one whose leadership qualities emulate the highest of professional standards and have improved the practice of medical-surgical nursing.
  • Nominee demonstrates outstanding leadership by:
    • Developing innovative approaches that contribute to the improvement of the quality of nursing care
    • Demonstrating leadership skills in the clinical setting
    • Facilitating change
    • Participating in practice standard development and/or decision-making processes within their organization that influence positive outcomes for the patient (e.g. committee membership, policy and procedure design)
    • Utilizing research for the enhancement of patient care

Clinical Leadership Award Nomination Application Period:  February 1 – March 31

 Apply Now

The CMSRN of Distinction Award

  • Minimum 4 years experience in medical-surgical nursing
  • Current CMSRN for at least 24 months
  • Nominee may be in a clinical nurse, educator, manager, or administrator role, providing they meet the definition of one whose leadership qualities emulate the highest of professional standards and have improved the practice of medical-surgical nursing.
  • Nominee must:
    • Be knowledgeable of the issues related to certification
    • Promote nursing excellence through precepting, mentoring and encouraging certification.
      • Examples include but are not limited to Serving as a role model for certification, motivating and encouraging peers to attain certification, assisting others to prepare for the CMSRN exam, e.g., study groups, review classes, providing resources, promoting certification to employer, providing recognition activities for certified nurses

CMSRN of Distinction Award Nomination Application Period:  February 1 – March 31

 Apply Now

Award Benefits

  • Recognition as an exemplary medical-surgical nurse
  • An inscribed, commemorative crystal award
  • Non-transferable complimentary full registration to attend the AMSN Annual Convention
  • $1,500 stipend to be used for expenses to attend the AMSN Annual Convention, in-person, to accept the award (Convention attendance is not required for award nomination however, on-site attendance is required in order to receive the $1,500 stipend.)

Board Selected Awards

We are pleased to honor nurses who are committed and passionate about the profession of nursing and improving patient care. Candidates for these awards are nominated by the Board of Directors. 

AMSN Founders Award for Distinguished Practice (previously know as Tony Award for Extraordinary Contributions to Health Care)

Our most prestigious award, the AMSN Founders Award for Distinguished Practice recognizes the extraordinary contributions of a nurse who has made a significant impact on nursing practice and towards the enhancement of health care in general.

2023 Recipient 

Bob Dent
Bob Dent, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FACHE, FAAN, FAONL
 
AMSN Presidents’ Award

This award is in recognition of extraordinary service to AMSN. AMSN presidents dedicate much time, energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the benefit of the association, therefore, this award is named in their honor.

2023 Recipient of the AMSN Presidents’ Award

Cora J. Palmer MSN, CMSRN
Beth E. Norman, MS, RN, CNS, ARNP, ACNS-BC, CMSRN