Excellence in the Workplace Award recognizes a work or practice setting where nurses are employed and that promotes professional autonomy, control over nursing practice, and/or an enhanced work environment for nurses. Recipients of the Excellence in the Workplace Award may serve as models to other work settings and may be replicable in other departments in an organization or to other institutions.

Eligibility: Any work setting in Connecticut – an institution, agency, organization, department, unit, program or project -- where registered nurses are employed; that meets selection criteria; and that has resulted in positive outcomes for patient care and nursing practice.

Criteria:

1. The work setting promotes professional autonomy, control over nursing practice and/or an enhanced work environment for nurses. The work setting may serve as a model to other institutions and may be replicable to other departments in the organization or to other institutions. The work setting supports/advances professional nursing practice in the workplace. The work setting addresses today's challenges/opportunities facing nurses in the workplace. The work setting shows evidence of creativity and innovation. The work setting shows evidence of positive outcomes on the nurses and/or patients in the organization..

Media Award is given annually to representatives of the print and/or electronic media who has made notable contributions to the advancement of nursing in Connecticut. Media Awards recognize both the public media and nursing media that includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: Print (published materials) Electronic (TV, radio, video, audio) Photography (published, displayed, printed, on video or on slides) Art (published, displayed, printed, on video or on slides)

Eligibility: Nursing media – All nurses, nursing organizations, institutions, or other groups that produce and issue information for nurses and the nursing profession. Or, Public media – Information on nursing issued through media channels of communication that service the public

Criteria:

1. Portrayal of a positive image of nursing. Subject matter presented in a clear, creative, and effective manner. Treatment of subject matter as it relates to nursing excellence, overall impact, effectiveness, clarity, imagination, and creativity. Focus is on the role of professional nursing, rather than just the personal role of an individual nurse Quality of the production, including the ability to gain and retain an audience, and the length, thoroughness and accuracy of the story Furtherance of the goals of the CNA and a heightened public awareness of nursing’s societal contributions.

Public Service Award is given to an individual or group who has made notable contributions to the advancement of nursing, public health or health care in Connecticut through public service, public education/advocacy, public policy or organizational leadership. Criteria Serves at the local, regional, state or national level. Established record of public service, public advocacy, public policy or organizational leadership for the public good in Connecticut. Notable contributions to the advancement of nursing, public health or health care in Connecticut.

Criteria:

1. Serves at the local, regional, state or national level. Established record of public service, public advocacy, public policy or organizational leadership for the public good in Connecticut. Notable contributions to the advancement of nursing, public health or health care in Connecticut.

The President’s Award is awarded periodically at the discretion of the president of CNA in recognition of achievements of significance to the profession or special service to or on behalf of CNA or of the nursing profession.

Criteria:

1. Achievement of significance to the profession, special service to or on behalf of CNA or of the nursing profession that do not fit into criteria of other CNA awards. Award does not have to be given every year Members of the CNA/CNF board, executive director, or committees may suggest candidates to the President. May be given to an individual, group or organization May be nurse or non-nurse; a member of the general public May be given posthumously. More than one award may be given in a calendar year. Award may be given at any time depending on special events.