Oklahoma Nurses Association

Nominations received after August 1, 2026, will be considered for an Award in 2027.

Please read the following award descriptions thoroughly before submitting an award nomination to ONA for consideration. Please only submit completed forms. Incomplete forms will not be considered.

Award Categories

Excellence in Nursing

The Excellence in Nursing Award is conferred on a member, who has developed an innovative, unique and creative approach that utilizes nursing theory and knowledge/skills in any practice setting: Administration, Education, and/or Direct Patient Care. The recipient should be recognized by peers as a role model of consistently high-quality nursing practice and as one who enhances the image of professional nursing by creating an environment promoting professional autonomy and control over nursing practice.

Nursing Research Award

The Nursing Research Award recipient is a nurse who has made a significant impact on nursing research as a basis for innovation as it relates to one of the following areas: management, clinical practice and/education. Significant impact means that the nurse has contributed to the creation of new nursing knowledge through research findings. In addition, the research has improved or created a plan for improving nursing management, nursing education, clinical nursing practice and/or patient outcomes in response to the findings.

Nursing Impact on Public Policy

The Nursing Impact On Public Policy Award honors the nurse, whose activities are above and beyond those of the general nursing community to further the political presence of nursing and/or to accomplish positive public policy for the nursing profession.

Nightingale Award of Excellence

The Nightingale Award of Excellence is conferred on an ONA member who during their career has:

Demonstrates innovative strategies to best fulfill job responsibilities and/or responsibilities in their professional role and within the community in which they work and live.
Consistently surpasses expectations of a professional nurse; thus enhancing the image of nursing as a profession.
Demonstrates sustained and substantial contribution to the Oklahoma Nurses Association.
Serves as a role model of consistent excellence in his or her area of practice.

Other professional behaviors, such as mentoring, advocacy, research conduction or utilization, publications and presentations should also be demonstrated throughout his/her career.

Friend of Nursing

The Friend of Nursing Award is conferred on non-nurses who have rendered valuable assistance to the nursing profession. Their contributions and assistance are of statewide significance to nursing.

Excellence in the Workplace Environment

The Excellence in the Workplace Environment Award is presented to organizations that have developed positive work environments. These organizations must have developed an Innovative and effective program, approach or overall environment that promotes excellent nursing care, creating a positive environment for nurses to work and supports nurses in their practice.

Previous ONA Nursing Awardees