Awards and Scholarships

2027 Social Media CNS Influencer of the Year Award

The Social Media CNS Influencer of the Year Award will be presented during the 2027 Annual Conference.

The Social Media Influencer Award for a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) recognizes CNSs who have demonstrated exceptional use of social media platforms to advance the field of advanced practice nursing, while aligning with the CNS core competencies.

The Social Media Influencer Award for a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) aims to acknowledge CNSs who leverage their online presence to educate, advocate, and inspire both colleagues and the public, thereby contributing to the enhancement of healthcare outcomes and patients’ well-being.

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 open September 9 – October 9, 2026.
Winners will be informed in December 2026.

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:
    • Clinical Expertise and Leadership in Healthcare Systems – The nominee shows outstanding clinical expertise in their specialty, evident in their social media content. Shares evidence-based practices, insightful views, and case studies that emphasize their impact on patient care. Furthermore, they use social media to advocate for healthcare reforms and engage in significant discussions on relevant issues.
    • Education, Coaching and Professional Growth – The nominee effectively uses social media to mentor nurses, healthcare workers, and the public on key clinical subjects. Offers diverse educational healthcare content, including blog posts, podcasts, videos, webinars, and live Q&As, across various platforms. By sharing personal development journey, the nominee demonstrates dedication to ongoing learning and inspires others in their nursing careers.
    • Consultation and Collaboration – The nominee offers virtual consultations and guidance through social media, assisting colleagues in complex clinical cases and professional challenges. Engages in active collaborations with healthcare professionals, organizations, and patient groups through these platforms, contributing to improvements in patient care.
    • Research and Integration of Evidence – The nominee shares research findings, breakthroughs, and evidence-based practices through their social media platforms to promote the integration of research into clinical practice
    • Ethics and Advocacy – The nominee exhibits ethical behavior in their social media engagements, upholding patient confidentiality and professional conduct. Skillfully utilizes social media to champion patient rights, health equality, and healthcare policy enhancements, making a positive impact on society.

Award:  

A plaque recognizing the winner will be presented at the NACNS conference and the winner will be featured in the CNS journal. A nontransferable 50% discount on 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 October 9, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Instructions: 

Nomination Packet includes: 

  1. One nomination letter from a colleague who can affirm and speak to the candidate’s CNS work, limited to 2-page maximum.
    • Each of the criteria must be addressed in the letter with specific examples.
    • Instead of using name, the nominator must refer to them as candidate.
    • 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 2026. Upon notification, the winner will be asked to submit an official picture for recognition at the next conference.