Awards

The Connecticut Nurses Association recognizes and celebrates nurses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to nursing, healthcare policy, and media presentation of the profession, as well as to the Association.

In 1980, the Association established the Diamond Jubilee Awards to commemorate its 75th anniversary. These prestigious awards, named after distinguished leaders in Connecticut nursing history, represent the highest honor that the nursing profession in the state can bestow—often referred to as the "Nobel Prize" of nursing.

Submit a Nomination

All nominations due July 31st, 2025.

For more information about the awards and requirements, see the Awards descriptions below.

email: Membership@ctnurses.org if you have questions about gathering nomination materials.

Diamond Jubilee Awards

The Josephine A. Dolan Award: Contributions to Nursing Education The Josephine A. Dolan Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Education recognizes innovations and achievements in areas which may include, but not necessarily limited to: improving the quality of the educational (undergraduate, graduate, continuing education) experience; enhancing the learning environment; conceiving new analytical approaches to subject matter, improving pedagogy; increasing access; applying technology; developing curriculum; allocating resources; assessing learning; strengthening faculty; securing support; clarifying and enlarging nursing education’s role in society; or developing public policy. Criteria: Recognized leadership in nursing education on a state, regional, and/or national level. Recognized expertise or authority in nursing specialty/field. Contributions to nursing’s knowledge base through publications. Contributions to nursing’s scientific knowledge base through research in an academic or service setting. Continued record of noteworthy accomplishments in their field. Creation of an atmosphere among students, faculty, and/or professional colleagues that fosters and inspires scholarship. Creation of an atmosphere among students that instills an enthusiasm for lifelong learning.

Florence S. Wald Award: Contributions to Nursing Practice The Florence S. Wald Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Practice recognizes achievements and innovations in nursing practice or health care delivery to a patient population that may include, but not necessarily be limited to: improved quality of care; new or innovative models of care; increased availability of care; improved access to care; potential or demonstrated impact on the prevention of illness, accidents, or other threats to health; improvement in the overall health status of a patient population(s); improvements in the quality of human life; or relief of human suffering. Criteria: Record of significant contributions to nursing practice or health care delivery to a specific patient/consumer population(s). Achievements reflect a high level of professional expertise and ability to collaborate with others in the health care field. Continued record of noteworthy accomplishments in the field. Recognized authority/expertise in nursing specialty/field on a state, regional, or national level. Active participation and demonstrated leadership in professional organization(s).

Virginia A. Henderson Award: Contributions to Nursing Research The Virginia A. Henderson Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Research recognizes contributions and innovations in nursing research, which may include, but are not limited to nursing theory, applied clinical research, related fields such as: nursing history, medical anthropology, public health or health care economics. Criteria: Significant contributions to the development of theory in nursing or health care specialty. Contributions to the field’s scientific base through publications. Recognized authority and expertise in area of research. Recognized leadership in research on a state, regional or national level. Creation of an atmosphere among colleagues and/or faculty and students that foster and inspires scholarship and research.

Doris M. Armstrong Award: Contributions to Nursing Administration The Doris M. Armstrong Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Administration recognizes outstanding achievement, innovation and leadership in nursing service, health care delivery or public health. These may include, but are not limited to, improved quality of care; new, innovative or cost-effective models of service; increased availability of or improved access to health care; cultivation of a practice environment that empowers nurses or enhances nursing’s impact on care; demonstration of the impact of nursing on the health status of a group or population; or significant advancement of the nursing profession. Criteria: Demonstration of outstanding leadership in one or more areas described above. Recognized leadership in nursing service, health care delivery or public health on a state, regional or national level. Recognized expertise in nursing specialty or related field through publications and participation in research. Achievements reflect a high level of professional expertise and ability to collaborate with others. Leadership fosters the advancement of nursing service and the nursing profession.

Vera R. Keane Award: Distinguished Service to CNA The Vera R. Keane Award for Distinguished Service to CNA is given to an individual, a group, or an organization that has rendered distinguished service or provided valuable assistance of a voluntary nature to the Association and whose contributions and accomplishments on behalf of CNA are of statewide and national significance. Criteria: Recognized service to CNA "above and beyond the call of duty." Contributions are innovative and of significance to the growth and visibility of CNA. Promotion of a positive, professional image of nursing both within the organization and to the public.

Mary Jane Williams Award: Lifetime Achievement in Nursing The Mary Jane Williams Award for Lifetime Achievement in Nursing recognizes that nurses specialize and also function in multiple arenas that advance the cause of the profession. Deserving candidates may be nominated as a result of a lifetime of contribution in a variety of categories (nursing,administration, political action, contribution to CNA, etc). This award reflects the composite of a lifetime of service and takes into consideration the entire mosaic of significant contributions and evaluates merit based on the sum of the parts. Winners of prior Diamond Jubilee awards, as well as those individuals who have not been prior winners will be eligible for nomination to the Mary Jane Williams award for lifetime achievement. Criteria: Demonstrated significant contribution to the nursing profession ---on a state-wide, regional and/or national level Documented excellence, supported by objective evidence as well as professional acknowledgement by peers and/or colleagues Documented significant contribution (advancing the profession, creating a new entity, building diverse constituencies, etc) to the broadest definition of the nursing profession in at least 2 major categories over an entire career Submission of packet of documents for review by the designated committee of the Connecticut Nurses’ Association.

Agnes Ohlson Award: Contributions to Nursing Through Political Action The Agnes Ohlson Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Through Political Action recognizes service, innovation, and achievement in the political arena that contributes to the advancement of nursing and/or improvement of health care in Connecticut. Areas of activity and achievement in the political process may include, but are not limited to: health care legislation; health care regulation; the judicial system; government affairs; and development and/or implementation of public policy. Criteria: History of advocacy for the public good and/or the nursing profession on health care issues that can best be resolved through the political process. Recognized authority on influencing the course of the nursing profession and/or health care through the political process. Local, state and/or national recognition for contributions attained through the political process. Influence and/or provides a role model for health care consumers, nurses, students, or others to become involved in the political process.

CT Nurses Association Awards

Excellence in the Work Place Award This awards honors stuff

Media Award This awards honors stuff

Public Service Award This awards honors stuff

President's Award This awards honors stuff

Nurse Joyce Grayson Award: Dedication to Patient Care Dedication to Patient Care: The nominee should demonstrate exceptional commitment to providing compassionate and high-quality care to patients, reflecting Joyce's love for her job as a mental health nurse. Professional Excellence in Mental Health Nursing: Preference may be given to nurses who work in mental health, honoring Joyce's 26-year career with the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and her work as a visiting nurse. Contributions to Community or Volunteer Work: The nominee should have made significant contributions to their community through volunteer work or other forms of service, demonstrating a commitment to helping others and improving their community, as Joyce did. Impact and Inspiration: The nominee should have a positive and lasting impact on their patients, colleagues, and community, inspiring others through their actions and dedication. Eligibility The award is open to both Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs).