Honoring Neonatal Nursing Excellence with NANN Awards
Great nurses like you advance the care of the tiniest patients. That's why NANN recognizes your outstanding contributions each year. Whether you are a clinical practitioner, educator, manager, or researcher, NANN is dedicated to honoring the achievements of those who are advancing the field of neonatal nursing. (NANN chapters of all sizes also are honored annually for what they accomplish on a local level!) Read more about specific NANN's awards below.
The NANN awards nomination and application peiod is typically open from January through March, and recipients are announced and honored at NANN's Annual Conference in the fall.
Please note: All NANN award nominees must be NANN members, with the exception of our Lifetime Achievement Award.
The nomination period for the 2025 Awards is January 27, 2025—April 14, 2025.
Individual Excellence Awards
APRN Excellence Award
The APRN Excellence Award honors the outstanding contributions made by an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) to the field of neonatal nursing through exemplary practice, leadership, service, and education.
APRN Rising Star Award
The APRN Rising Star Award is awarded to an individual who demonstrates a passion for their APRN practice, and is making a positive impact early in their career through exemplary practice, leadership, service, and education.
Distinguished Service in NANN Award
The Distinguished Service in NANN Award recognizes outstanding and dedicated service to the association. The award honors an individual that has advanced the mission of NANN in a significant and lasting way.
Leadership Award
The recipient of the Leadership Award has outstanding teaching ability, is able to mobilize and unify others for the improvement of neonatal care, and has a vision for the future practice of neonatal nursing.
Lifetime Achievement in Neonatal Nursing Award
The Lifetime Achievement in Neonatal Nursing Award recognizes an individual's longstanding commitment to―and profound impact on―the field of neonatal nursing. This award may be presented to a NANN member, a non-NANN member, or a non-nurse, or can be presented posthumously.
Mentor of the Year Award
The Mentor of the Year Award recognizes a NANN member who consistently demonstrates the power of mentoring. Recipients are clinically and technically proficient, demonstrate outstanding teaching and motivational ability, and willingly share their knowledge and experience with others.
RN Rising Star Award
The RN Rising Star Award is awarded to an individual who exemplifies passion for their work early in their career and is making a positive impact in a short time through exemplary practice, leadership, service, and education.
Robyn Main Excellence in Clinical Practice Award
The Robyn Main Excellence in Clinical Practice Award is presented in honor of Robyn Main, MSN RNC, to encourage and recognize neonatal nurses who provide exemplary direct patient care.
Research Awards
NANN's Abstract Awards
Nurses and research go hand-in-hand, as we seek to advance neontal ICU nursing on a wider scale. Recognizing quality research emphasizes why nurses should be involved in research. These awards recognize the best abstracts in each award category submitted in the NANN Annual Conference call for Abstracts.
Chapter Awards
Chapter of the Year Awards
Chapter of the Year Awards are bestowed upon small, mid-sized, and large NANN chapters with the highest cumulative score across all five categories: membership growth, percentage increase in revenue, educational offerings, advocacy, member engagement, and community outreach.
Why does NANN Recognize Nursing Excellence?
NANN presents its annual excellence awards to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of neonatal nursing professionals in clinical practice, education, research, leadership, and more. By acknowledging the hard work and dedication of exceptional nurses, NANN not only validates recipients’ efforts but also encourages others to pursue similar levels of achievement and innovation. Receiving a nursing award from NANN can enhance a nurse's professional profile, too. The recognition of best practices and innovative approaches by award-winning nurses also helps disseminate effective strategies across the profession, ultimately leading to improved patient care. These awards can play a crucial role in elevating the profession as a whole. They bring public attention to the critical role neonatal nurses play, enhancing the visibility and respect of the profession and emphasizing the breadth of the specialty’s work, researcher, and leadership. This recognition can strengthen advocacy efforts for better working conditions, resources, and policies that support nurses. By celebrating individual achievements, NANN helps to contribute to the growth, development, and recognition of the nursing profession, ensuring that the vital contributions of neonatal nursing professionals are acknowledged and valued.