NCSN Recognition Award

NCSN Recognition Award

The NCSN Recognition Award is presented at the NASN Annual Conference to honor an NCSN who has promoted certification as well as worked to enhance general competency in school nursing. The NCSN of the Year Award is presented to a nationally certified school nurse who is nominated by a peer or peers. This award recognizes a Nationally Certified School Nurse who has been influential in promoting certification and exceptional competency in the field. Any NCSN can be nominated.

2026 NCSN Recognition Award Application - NOW OPEN!

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 NCSN recognition award. 

Please have both your letter of recommendation and your nominee statement available before completing the application.

Letter of Recommendation
A letter of nomination/recommendation from a peer that highlights the nominee’s activities in the following areas:

  • Promotion of Certification: The letter should detail your activities in mentoring, recruitment, marketing, or developing replicable programs that promote certification.
  • Enhancing Competency of School Nurses: It should provide examples of your contributions to the professional growth of school nurses through knowledge sharing, mentoring, or leadership in research or program development.
  • The Letter of recommendation should be no more than 300 words.

Nominee Statement
In 1,000 words or less, describe your activities and share examples of how you have promoted certification at the national, state, or local levels. Include specific details on each of the following activities:

  • Creative Recruitment Activities: Describe how you have used innovative approaches to encourage other school nurses to pursue certification.
    • Example: Organized webinars or in-person sessions about the benefits of certification, created social media campaigns targeting school nurses, or collaborated with nursing associations to host certification drives.
  • Mentoring Other School Nurses: Detail your mentoring efforts to help fellow school nurses obtain certification, navigate the process, or provide study support.
    • For example, I led study groups for NCSN certification, provided one-on-one mentoring sessions, or created mentorship programs for newly certified nurses.
  • Marketing the Importance of Certification: Explain how you have raised awareness about the value of NCSN certification in your community or among your colleagues.
    • Example: Developed flyers, posters, and email campaigns or delivered presentations at local, state, or national conferences about the significance of certification.
  • Establishing Replicable Programs or Projects: Highlight any programs or projects you’ve created that other school nurses can replicate to promote certification.
    • Example: Created a sustainable model for certification study groups or partnered with local nursing schools to promote certification among graduates.
  • Other Activities that Promote Certification: Share any additional efforts you’ve made that promote certification but don’t fit into the categories above.
    • Example: Created a peer-support network for certification candidates or secured grants to help school nurses cover certification costs.
    • Example: Developed continuing education courses for school nurses or contributed to creating statewide training programs.

The winner of this award has contributed exceptional effort to promote the NCSN certification. Additionally, the letters may include examples of contributions to the professional growth of school nurses through knowledge sharing, mentoring, or leadership in research or program development.

Please provide detailed examples of your work and its impact in your letter.

APPLY Here

 

NCSN of the Year 2025

Allison Conyers, MSN, RN, NCSN

Allison Conyers has been awarded the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN) 2025 NCSN Recognition of the Award. This award is given each year to an outstanding NCSN(s) in recognition of efforts to promote national school nurse certification at the national, state, or local level and enhance competency and expertise among school nurse professionals.

Allison has worked to promote certification by securing a grant that provided school nurses in each Vermont school district the exam application fee and study materials. Ms. Conyers also organized a study session to help prepare Vermont school nurses to sit for the exam. This has increased the number of NCSNs in Vermont by 145%!

Previous Award Recipients

2024 NCSN of the Year
Elissa Brueggemann, BSN, RN, NCSN