Please complete the online nomination at bnaofgwdca.org/black-nurse-of-the-year-nomination-form . Review the eligibility, what to prepare, and how your responses will be evaluated below.

Who can be nominated

• A Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) who is an active member of the Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington, D.C. Area (BNA-GWDCA); or
• An RN or LPN/LVN who is not a BNA-GWDCA member, with two signed letters of recommendation from civic or professional organizations serving communities of color that clearly document the nominee’s volunteer service to Black communities within the past two years.

What you’ll need before you start

• Cover letter stating the name of the person/organization making the nomination and a contact phone number (self-nominations are accepted and must include a brief letter of support).
• Contact information for the nominee.
• Detailed responses (typed) describing how the nominee meets the award criteria (see “Evaluation Categories” below).
• Optional uploads: publications, presentations, certifications, awards, or other materials that support your responses.

Deadlines & notifications

• Submission deadline: October 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM (Eastern).
• Notification: Applicants will be informed of the Awards Committee’s decision by November 3, 2025.

How to complete the online form

1. Open the application link: Black Nurse of the Year Nomination Form .
2. Enter all required fields. If a question does not apply, enter N/A rather than leaving it blank.
3. Provide typed responses to all evaluation categories. Use clear, specific examples and dates where possible.
4. Upload your cover letter and any required letters of recommendation (PDF or DOC/DOCX preferred). Each letter must be signed.
5. Review your entries for accuracy, then submit the form. You will see an on-screen confirmation. Save or print it for your records.

Evaluation categories (respond to all)

1) Nursing Education

• Excellence in formal/informal teaching impacting the health of the Black community.
• Leadership in education (publications, presentations, awards, recognition).
• Activities that build the nursing pipeline (precepting, mentoring).

2) Community Service (Volunteer)

• Collaboration with community organizations, schools, churches.
• Leadership delivering health services/education in communities and neighborhoods.
• Coordinating volunteer activities (immunizations, COVID testing/vaccination, preventive screenings).

3) Nursing Service/Practice

• Clinical expertise/competence in one or more practice areas.
• Advanced practice/clinical certification.
• Innovations that improve quality of care.

4) Legislative/Political Activities (Health-Focused)

• Health advocacy and public policy that impacts Black consumers.
• Collaborative work advancing health care needs of Black consumers.
• White papers/testimony and consumer education on policy impacts.

5) Nursing Research & Scholarly Contributions

• Research that improves the health of Black consumers.
• Publication/analysis of scholarly work (individually or collaboratively).
• Dissemination of results that advance health outcomes.

6) Nursing Leadership

• Promotes best practices and standards in patient-centered care settings.
• Builds a culture of engagement, mobility, education, and mentoring.
• Leadership in nursing education, recruitment, mentoring, and career advancement of Black nurses.

Consent

The online form includes a consent checkbox for the nominee to authorize consideration for the Black Nurse of the Year Award. Be sure the nominee reviews and agrees before submission.

Confidentiality

All information submitted is confidential and will not be returned. Keep copies of everything you upload for your records.

Need help?

Email contactus@bnaofgwdca.org or visit www.bnaofgwdca.org.