Order of Merit

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Order of Merit

The CNA Order of Merit Awards were inaugurated in 2008 and were modified in 2025 to honour excellence in clinical nursing practice in one of four regulated nursing categories: (1) licensed and registered practical nurses, (2) nurse practitioners, (3) registered nurses, and (4) registered psychiatric nurses. Four recipients will be selected to receive the CNA Order of Merit Awards.

For each category, each nominee for this award will be expected to have made:

  • Significant and innovative contributions to the health care of people in Canada and/or the global population
  • Significant contributions to the status and public recognition of the nursing profession
  • Significant achievements in their area of clinical practice demonstrated by in-depth clinical knowledge as evidenced by any combination of the following:
    • Outstanding commitment to holistic care; use of evidence-based innovation in care delivery
    • Advancement of workplace culture that promotes quality care
    • The sharing of expertise and best practice clinical knowledge with colleagues across the country through presentations, publications and/or participation on committees.

General guidelines

In fairness to each nominee, we ask that every nominator follow these general guidelines:

  • Completed nominations must include supporting documents.
  • Each nominee will be assessed solely on the information in their nomination form. Please do not include phrases such as “see attached curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé” when specific information is requested.
  • Each nominee must meet certain eligibility requirements.
  • You can only nominate a person in one of the four categories of regulated nurses.
  • This award may be given posthumously.

Demographic information

You will be asked to provide both your and the nominee’s name, employer information, position, full address, telephone number, email address and CNA membership details.

Eligibility requirements

The following mandatory eligibility requirements apply (not applicable for nominees who are deceased):

  • The nominee is a nurse in good standing with their provincial/territorial nursing regulator. Confirmation letter, e-mail or e-validation from the nursing regulator is required.
  • The nominee has not previously received an Order of Merit Award for the same or another regulated nurse category or the Sapphire Award or CNA Values Award (within past five years).
  • The nominee has paid the CNA membership fees and is a CNA member in good standing.
  • The nominee has consented to the nomination.
  • The nominee has been informed that their name will be made public if they receive an award.
  • The nominee lives in Canada or is a Canadian living abroad.

A. Summary of experience and major accomplishments

You will be asked to provide descriptions of the nominee’s work experience and other major accomplishments (volunteer activities, awards, etc.). This summary can be a maximum of 165 words.

B. Summary of specific accomplishments

You must provide three 300-word (maximum) summaries of the nominee’s specific accomplishments related to the specific Order of Merit Award.

  1. The first summary (maximum 300 words) will show how the nominee has made a significant and innovative contribution to the health care of people in Canada by:
    • Creating or assisting in the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of innovative solutions such as new health care/education/research programs
    • Demonstrating expertise that results in impactful improvements in the health-care system
  2. The second summary (maximum 300 words) will show the nominee’s activities at the national and international level that have resulted in increased status and public recognition for the nursing profession. These activities may be evidenced by:
    • Outstanding contributions to national organizations such as CNA and organizations related to the nominee’s primary domain of practice (e.g., specialty nursing association)
    • Leadership and service within CNA or organizations related to the nominee’s primary domain of practice
    • Demonstrated leadership in the advancement/promotion of nursing in the public or private sector
    • Advancement of nursing theory/research in their regulated nursing category, and beyond
  3. The third summary (maximum 300 words) will be specific to your contributions in one of the four Order of Merit Awards:
    • Order of Merit for Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse
    • Order of Merit for Registered Nurse
    • Order of Merit for Registered Psychiatric Nurse
    • Order of Merit for Nurse Practitioner
    • Significant achievements in their area of clinical practice demonstrated by in-depth clinical knowledge as evidenced by any combination of the following:
      • Outstanding commitment to compassionate care; use of evidence-based innovation in nursing care and/or health service delivery
      • Advancement of workplace culture that promotes quality care
      • The sharing of expertise and best practice clinical knowledge with colleagues across the country through presentations, publications and/or participation on committees

C. Supporting documents

Please note that you must upload the following supporting documents with your nomination:

  • Confirmation letter, e-mail or e-validation from provincial/territorial nursing regulator.
  • Three separate letters from individuals from three different organizations in support of the nomination. One of these three letters can be submitted by the nominator.
  • The nominee’s curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé.
  • A biographical note to a maximum of 250 words with suitable language for sharing with a public audience (e.g., posting on the CNA website).

Privacy Policy: Personal information that is collected will be used only for processing nominations and related followup.

For additional information, contact us.