The Annual Preceptor of the Year Award will be presented during the 2024 Annual Conference.

The purpose of the award is to nationally recognize an NACNS member for outstanding professional achievement as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Preceptor. The award acknowledges a CNS preceptor who has demonstrated commitment to teach, coach and mentor CNS students and/or CNSs new to the role;  to achieve CNS competencies in the nurse, patient, and organizational spheres as reflected in the NACNS Statement on CNS Practice and Education (3^rd Edition).

Please review the criteria and submit a completed application with corresponding rationale supporting candidates who you recommend for this award.

Submit Your Nomination

The application period will be October 10-November 6, 2023.

Winners will be informed in December 2023.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: 

1. The candidate must be nominated by a colleague who can affirm and speak to the candidate’s CNS work.
2. Candidate meets their state of residence’s requirements for CNS recognition by their state board of nursing.
3. Active membership in NACNS for at least the past 2 years.
4. The candidate must have at least 3 years of experience as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
5. The candidate must have been educated as a CNS in a masters or doctoral program.
6. If selected, the candidate must agree to attend the NACNS annual conference and provide a photo suitable for inclusion in the conference program brochure.
7. The candidate must serve as a role model to nursing colleagues by:
   • The candidate demonstrates clinical excellence and innovation in precepting CNS students and/or CNS new graduates.
   • Promotes CNS students’/new graduates’ ability to think critically.
   • Fosters CNS students’/new graduates’ autonomy.
   • Demonstrates the ability to teach, coach and mentor CNS students/new graduates.
   • Creates an individualized learning experience that promotes the growth and development of students/new graduates in the CNS role.
   • Inspires students/new graduates to become actively engaged in professional advocacy and policy through involvement in national organizations, NACNS affiliates, and NACNS.
   • Creates a positive learning environment in which CNS students/new graduates freely express ideas and questions in a dynamic exchange with preceptor and other health care professionals.
   • Is accessible, supportive and influential in helping CNS students/new graduates achieve CNS competencies in nurse, patient, and organizational spheres.

Award:  

A plaque recognizing the winner will be presented at the NACNS conference and the winner will be featured in the CNS journal. Nontransferable complimentary NACNS conference registration will also be awarded.

Selection: 

Applications received by the deadline will undergo review by the selection committee appointed by the Board of Directors. Award recipients will receive an email letter announcing if they have received their award and the day and time the award is planned to be presented. All candidate information/packet must be received by November 6, 2023. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Instructions: 

Nomination Packet includes: 

1. One letter of recommendation from a colleague who can affirm and speak to the candidate’s CNS work, limited to 2-page maximum.
   1. Each of the criteria must be addressed in the letter with specific examples.
   2. Instead of using name, the nominator must refer to them as candidate.
   3. Indicate how the nominator knows the nominee (e.g., in what capacity/role, how long)
2. A copy of the nominee’s current CV/resumé.
3. Nomination letter and current CV will be submitted together in one pdf.
4. All submissions must be typed copy.
5. Selection is made based only on the information submitted.
6. All information will remain strictly confidential and will not be returned.
7. Winner will be notified by December 2023. Upon notification, the winner will be asked to submit an official picture for recognition at the next conference.