Scholarships/AwardsWe would love to reward you for your accomplishments, so please carefully read the requirements for each submission before submitting your application. We encourage you to review the grading rubric prior to submitting your applications. CLICK HERE to see the 2025 Grading Rubric. Don't miss the chance to be recognized for your achievements and hard work!
We know many of you have impacted the community or each other through individual efforts and with your school chapter. Please email [email protected] with any questions you may have.
We have a number of awards and scholarships to give and we would love to celebrate your success! Before submitting your application, please look over the criteria for each submission. We encourage all CNSA Members to apply.
*You must be a member to be eligible to apply for any CNSA Awards or Scholarships.. CNSA DAISY AWARD
*The recipient of the CNSA Daisy Award must be registered for the in-person Convention AND if selected, MUST be present at the Award Ceremony to receive the award. The Daisy Award for Advancing Health Equity
Please tell us what sets this nursing student apart from other caring nursing students. Nursing student should demonstrate ALL of things listed below:
Eligibility Criteria:
Required Documentation:
OUTSTANDING NEWSLETTER AWARDThe time has come for you to receive recognition for all the long, arduous hours bringing your fellow students news that is fit to print. ELIGIBILITY
SELECTION CRITERIA All entries will be considered on the basis of:
OUTSTANDING CHAPTER SOCIAL MEDIA AWARDWe want to recognize your arduous work brining your fellow students' news and online information. ELIGIBILITY
SELECTION CRITERIA All entries will be considered on the basis of:
COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT AWARDIt is no secret that CNSA chapters perform excellent community service, and as a result, the CNSA Board of Directors presents three Population and Global Health Awards to CNSA Chapters each year. These awards are Community, Population and Global Levels. We strongly encourage every chapter to apply for this award. We look forward to seeing what your chapter has identified as a community, population or global need and what actions you took. Show us how you support your community. Examples for each individual award could include:
For each award, a certificate will be awarded to the winning Chapter at the Awards Ceremony on November 16th during the 2025 Annual Convention. Additionally, there will be honorable mentions to chapters, as we want to thank and recognize those who are maintaining their commitment to their communities. ELIGIBILITY
SELECTION CRITERIA All entries will be considered on the basis of:
BREAKTHROUGH TO NURSING PROJECT AWARDOne of the main ways that nursing students can act cooperatively and ultimately improve the way that nursing care is provided to diverse groups of people is by working on a Breakthrough to Nursing project. This award is given to the CNSA school chapter whose endeavor most effectively exemplifies their dedication to helping non-traditional nursing students finish their education. By assisting and supporting non-traditional nursing students, the Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN) branch of the California Nursing Students' Association (CNSA) strives to broaden the diversity of nursing in California. For this reason, BTN has developed this award to encourage the design and implementation of creative projects that work to embolden nontraditional students and help them to successfully complete their nursing programs. These projects provide participants with leadership opportunities ultimately helping them to develop their skills as they pursue a career in nursing. Working on a Breakthrough to Nursing project is one of the major avenues by which nursing students can act in a unified way to ultimately improve the way that nursing care is catered to diverse groups of people. ELIGIBILITY
SELECTION CRITERIA All entries will be considered on the basis of:
MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARDDo you know an outstanding CNSA member? The CNSA Member of the Year Award, which honors students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to CNSA, is now accepting applications. A certificate will be presented to this year's winner at the Awards Ceremony during the CNSA 2025 Annual Convention. ELIGIBILITY The nominated student must be:
NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
FACULTY OF THE YEAR AWARDCNSA would like to assist you in recognizing outstanding professors who exhibit leadership abilities and consistently encourage student participation in CNSA. The winner will be announced at the Awards Ceremony and will receive a certificate from CNSA. Nominating students will also be invited to attend. All nominated Faculty will be informed of their nomination and invited to the CNSA Awards Ceremony to be held during the CNSA 2025 Annual Convention. AWARD REQUIREMENTS
SELECTION CRITERIA All nominations will be considered on the basis of:
STAR CHAPTER AWARDThe Star Chapter Award recognizes CNSA constituent chapters for their ongoing involvement in CNSA and National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) and their commitment to shared governance, community service, leadership, and professional development. The California Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) invites constituent chapters to apply for the Star Chapter Award. The Star Chapter Award recognizes CNSA constituent chapters for their ongoing involvement in CNSA and National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) and their commitment to shared governance, community service, leadership, and professional development. The chapters that obtain this award will be announced at the Awards Ceremony, be recognized as a Star Chapter Award recipient at the following two conventions and receive a certificate from CNSA. Star Chapter Award status is recognized for three years. Star Chapter Award recipients may reapply when three new years of data are available. All others may apply annually. Eligibility
Selection Criteria Please refer to the rubric above. Not all local chapters will meet all of the criteria, and some will show greater strength in certain categories over others. A point system with a range of points will be utilized to determine how well applicants meet the specific criteria in the categories below. Indicate applicable category number and corresponding criteria letter in all supporting documentation, and submit in order. Complete this official application form for the CNSA Star Chapter Award, and attach all supporting documentation to demonstrate how your program satisfies each categories requirements. Best Nurse Brain AwardWe encourage you to submit your Nurse Brains, on which we know you worked so hard on in nursing school. Submissions will be graded on thoroughness, organization, usability, design, and relevance to the unit it would be used for. Winners' nurse brains will be uploaded to the CNSA website as a resource to all CNSA members. Submit completed application by Friday, October 17, 2025 at 11:59pm. 2025 CNSA SCHOLARSHIPSCNSA will offer three Scholarships for the 2025 Convention! CNSA Members will have the opportunity to apply for one of the following Scholarships: 1 $500 Scholarship or one of 2 $250 Scholarships. Submit completed applications by Friday October 17, 2025, at 11:59pm. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the CNSA Annual Awards Ceremony during the 2025 CNSA Annual Convention. $500- LeadWithCare: Nursing Takes the Lead in Mental Health Leadership Mental health leadership is crucial in transforming healthcare environments and improving outcomes for both patients and nurses. Explain an innovative, leadership-based approach for addressing mental health issues within the nursing profession or healthcare settings. How can nurses lead initiatives that promote mental well-being, reduce stigma, and create supportive environments for either patients and/or healthcare workers? Describe how your leadership proposal would inspire change, enhance patient mental healthcare, or foster resilience and well-being among nursing professionals. What leadership qualities and strategies would be key to implementing your idea successfully?
$250- Code Blue: Rising Under Pressure In critical moments, nurses are often calm in the chaos. Whether during a Code Blue, a high-stress clinical scenario, or a moment when everything felt like it was on the line, tell a story where you had to think quickly, work as a team, or manage a high-pressure situation. How did you respond, what did you learn, and how has this shaped your confidence or approach to patient care? What qualities do you think are essential for nurses in high-stakes moments?
$250- LeadWithCare: Future of Nursing Technology The integration of emerging technologies in healthcare is transforming the future of nursing. Propose a forward-thinking technological innovation that could revolutionize the nursing profession over the next 5 - 10 years. This can involve artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, data analytics, and other advanced tools. Explain how your idea could address current or anticipated challenges in healthcare-such as staffing shortages, clinical decision-making, burnout, or patient safety. Discuss the feasibility of your innovation, how it could be implemented, and its long-term impact on both nurses and patient care.
Please read all of the information on the form prior to submitting your application. |
© Copyright California Nursing Students Association. All rights reserved.