TNP is now accepting award nominations for 2025. Award winners will be recognized at the TNP Annual Conference Award Ceremony on September 27, 2025 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Please review all of the awards and award criteria below. All nominations are due by April 30, 2025.
ABOUT
Awards
TNP Awards are an opportunity to showcase the very best of the profession and recognize those who support the important role that Nurse Practitioners have in the delivery of high-quality healthcare to the communities they serve.
2025 TNP OF THE YEAR
Texas NP of the Year Award is given annually to a dedicated Texas NP who demonstrates excellence and serves as a role model for the nurse practitioner profession.
AWARD CRITERIA
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Demonstrates excellence as an NP and as a role model for other nurse practitioners and the nursing profession in general.
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Significant contribution to the improvement of care for individuals, families and/or communities.
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Is creative in his/her approach to nursing care through effective communication and quality of care.
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Volunteers in the community through a variety of ways including general organizations, mission trips, healthcare organizations, community organizations, etc.
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Utilizes current research in practice.
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Recognized to practice as a nurse practitioner in Texas.
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Active member of TNP for at least one year.
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No self-nominations will be accepted.
2025 RISING STAR AWARD
The Rising Star Award was developed to recognize an individual who has been in practice for less than three years and demonstrates clinical excellence and innovation in at least one of the following: overall patient care, patients’ access to care, health policy, and/or leadership in the field.
AWARD CRITERIA
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New grad to 3 years in practice as an NP.
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Innovative approach to access to care.
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Involvement in health policy.
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Demonstrates professional leadership
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In good standing with the Texas Board of Nursing and is licensed as a nurse practitioner.
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Active member of local NP affiliate (if applicable).
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Member of TNP.
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No self nominations will be accepted.
2025 PRECEPTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
This is in recognition of an NP serving as a preceptor and is recognized for a commitment to excellence in the clinical education of Nurse Practitioners.
AWARD CRITERIA
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Demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the clinical education of Nurse Practitioners
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Serve as a role model for other nurse practitioners and the nursing profession in general.
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Active member of a TNP affiliate is strongly encouraged.
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Active member of TNP for at least one year.
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Served as a Preceptor for at least three years. Recognized to practice as a nurse practitioner in Texas.
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No self-nominations are accepted.
2025 NP EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
TNP’s Educator of the Year award is given to a dedicated TNP member who serves as a role model for creating and sustaining a culture in nursing education that integrates theory and practice and demonstrates significant creativity in teaching approaches to promote learner outcomes.
AWARD CRITERIA
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Full time or part-time faculty, adjunct or instructor for a minimum of 5 years.
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DNP or PhD prepared.
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Teaching in a Nurse Practitioner program.
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Serves as a role model for creating and sustaining a culture in nursing education that integrates theory and practice.
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Demonstrates significant innovation in teaching/learning approaches to promote learner outcomes.
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Leads in the promotion and implementation of innovation in teaching/learning approaches in nursing education.
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University where employed is a member of TNP’s University Ambassador program.
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Recognized to practice as a nurse practitioner in Texas.
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Active member of TNP for at least one year.
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Two letters of support are required.
LEADERSHIP AWARDS
2025 VISIONARY AWARD
The Visionary Award is presented to an individual or entity to recognize programs, projects, or research that envision and/or utilize nurse practitioners as leaders and valuable partners in the healthcare system.
AWARD CRITERIA
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In addition to nominations from affiliates, colleagues, clients, administrators or co-workers, NPs are encouraged to nominate themselves.
2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
The TNP Community Impact Award is given to NP leaders who have made outstanding contributions to improve the health and wellbeing of their community through their volunteerism and innovative healthcare approaches.
AWARD CRITERIA
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In good standing with the Texas Board of Nursing and is licensed as a nurse practitioner.
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Active member of TNP member.
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No self nominations will be accepted.
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Community Impact Awards recognizes the contributions of Nurse Practitioners efforts that impact their community through volunteer efforts, innovative approaches to community issues, etc. These initiatives (outside of employment) promote the NP role within the community.
2025 NP STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Student Leadership award was developed to recognize students for their excellence in academic performance through a formal or informal leadership role and involvement with TNP.
AWARD CRITERIA
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Excellence in academic performance.
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Demonstrates leadership through a formal or informal leadership role.
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Participated in TNP event(s) including but not limited to attending TNP sponsored conferences, presenting a poster, volunteer room monitor.
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A resident of Texas.
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Currently enrolled in BSN to MSN/DNP or post master doctorate program in Texas or a Nurse Practitioner currently pursuing a degree such as DNP, EdD, PhD, MPH, DPH.
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In good standing with the Texas Board of Nursing and is licensed as a registered nurse.
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Current TNP member.
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Two letters of recommendations from two faculty members or one faculty member and a preceptor.
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500 word essay on the importance of TNP membership.
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Active member of local NP affiliate (if applicable and preferred not required).
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No self-nominations are allowed.
