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Call for 2025 WVNA Awards: Submit Your Nominations Today

Posted about 17 hours ago by Julie Huron

Call for 2025 WVNA Awards: Submit Your Nominations Today

Deadline: January 30, 2026

The West Virginia Nurses Association (WVNA) is proud to celebrate outstanding nurses and organizations across our state who exemplify excellence in nursing. The WVNA Awards honor meaningful contributions to the profession and recognize individuals and facilities whose work positively impacts colleagues, patients, families, organizations, and communities throughout West Virginia.

The WVNA Nominations and Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2025 WVNA Awards. This is your opportunity to recognize the exceptional nurses you work alongside every day and to elevate stories of leadership, service, and excellence.

We welcome nominations of West Virginia nurses who demonstrate leadership in their facilities, organizations, or communities. Self-nominations are encouraged. When applicable, nominees must be current WVNA members; WVNA will verify membership status. Please include a brief description explaining why your nominee, or you, should be considered. Personal examples that highlight impact are especially helpful. You are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues and submit multiple nominations.

New in 2026: AANP Conference Scholarship

WVNA is pleased to introduce a FREE AANP National Conference registration scholarshipfor a WVNA member to attend the 2026 AANP National Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 23--27, 2026. Eligibility information is provided below. If you qualify, we encourage you to submit a nomination for yourself.

Award Categories

Friend of Nursing

Presented to a non-nurse who has demonstrated exceptional support for West Virginia nurses. The awardee promotes the profession through policy modernization, professional standards, and advocacy aligned with the Future of Nursing recommendations.

Lifelong Contribution to Nursing

Presented to a WVNA member with at least twenty (20) years of nursing experience who has advanced the profession through leadership, service, and dedication to nursing in West Virginia. This individual exemplifies the core values of the profession and has meaningfully contributed to WVNA's mission and the development of nurses statewide.

Mentorship Award

Presented to a WVNA member who has demonstrated significant support for nurses and nursing students through mentorship, precepting, and professional guidance. The awardee actively promotes high standards of practice and helps prepare the next generation of nurses.

Early Career Nurse Leader Award

Recognizes nurses within five (5) years of initial licensure who have demonstrated notable accomplishments and contributions to patient care, families, communities, or populations. Recipients exemplify compassion, professionalism, and excellence in direct care.

Excellence in Direct Patient Care

Recognizes a nurse who delivers exemplary patient care, demonstrates a commitment to professional growth, and serves as an inspirational role model for colleagues.

WVN-PAC Politically Active Nurse of the Year

Selected by the West Virginia Nurses Political Action Committee (WVN-PAC), this award honors a WVNA member with exceptional engagement in statewide health policy. The awardee effectively communicates national nursing standards to the West Virginia legislature and advocates for evidence-based policies that advance nursing and healthcare in our state.

WVNA AANP Conference Scholarship

Presented to a practicing WVNA APRN member in good standing who demonstrates a commitment to WVNA and to advancing nursing. Applicants should provide examples of leadership, advocacy, mentorship, or professional engagement. The recipient will be asked to share insights from the AANP Conference in the West Virginia Nurse and should be actively involved with WVNA as a legislative leader, committee member, or nursing policy advocate.

WVNA and AANP State Award for Excellence

Presented in partnership with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). This award honors a West Virginia nurse practitioner who demonstrates excellence in clinical practice and advances autonomous practice for APRNs in our state. Awardees are recognized both in West Virginia and at the annual AANP national conference.

WVNA Beacon Award

Presented to a West Virginia healthcare facility that exemplifies patient-centered care and fosters a supportive, nurse-friendly work environment. Nurses across the state may nominate facilities they believe represent the best places for nurses to work.

Awards Presentation

The 2025 WVNA Awards will be presented during the Celebration of Nurses Dinner at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Charleston, WV, on Sunday, February 22, 2026. This event takes place the evening before Unity Day/Nurses' Day at the Capitol on Monday, February 23, 2026.

Submit Your Nominations