The Maryland Organization for Nurse Leaders seeks to acknowledge nurse leaders who demonstrate exemplary leadership within their organization, community, and the nursing profession.

Eligibility Criteria

Emerging Leader Award: A nurse leader currently working in a leadership role within a healthcare organization, who has held leadership positions for a total of 2 years or less.

Visionary Leader Award: A nurse leader currently working in a leadership role within a healthcare organization, who has held leadership positions for more than 2 years.

MONL recognizes that organizations use an array of titles to describe nurse leader roles. While not meant to be an exhaustive list, the following position titles are applicable to meet nomination eligibility:

• Clinical Unit Manager
• Nurse Manager
• Senior Nursing Director/Vice President
• CNO/CNE/President

Nomination Guidelines
Nominators will submit a narrative that describes how the nominated nurse leader 1) promotes relationship and communication building; 2) illustrates knowledge of the health care environment; 3) exhibits leadership in a variety of settings; 4) exemplifies personal and professional accountability; and 5) executes financial, human resources, strategic planning, and information and technology management. (AONL, 2015)

We suggest writing your narrative in a separate document and then copying and pasting it into the submission form.

Click here to view submission instructions

(Nominations Due 10/10/25)

Submit your Emerging Leader nomination here! 

Submit your Visionary Leader nomination here!

 

MONL DAISY Nurse Leader of the Year Award

CRITERIA

• Recognized as a DAISY Honoree in any category (Nurse Leader, Team, Nurse Educator, DAISY Award, Lifetime, etc.).
• Role models compassion and exemplary leadership practice
• Role models behavior perceived as extraordinary
• Creates an environment that fosters care and compassion
• Creates an environment where attributes of trust, compassion, mutual respect, continued professional development and ethical behavior are modeled and supported
• Motivates staff with a shared vision and enthusiasm to achieve better outcomes for themselves and for their patients
• Is a mentor to staff
• Promotes and enhances the image of nursing within the organization, the community, and the profession

JOB TITLES ELIGIBLE

• Chief Nursing Officer / Chief Nurse Executive
• Director of Nursing
• Manager
• Supervisor
• Coordinator
• Educator
  
  

NOMINATION SUBMISSION
Nominations can be submitted utilizing the following link:

http://daisynomination.org/MONL

Please also submit the following documentation to MONL at mdnurseleaders@gmail.com:

• Copy of original DAISY nomination(s) or Spotlight link
• Letter of endorsement from the organization's Chief Nursing Officer or his/her designee
• Contact information for Nominee and organization point of contact

NOMINATION DEADLINE
The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, October 10, 2025.

RECOGNITION & BENEFITS

• The recipient of the MONL DAISY Nurse Leader Award will be announced at the MONL Annual Gala on November 15th. The Honoree will receive a one-year paid membership to MONL and a ticket to MONL's Annual Gala.
• All Nominees will be invited to attend the MONL Gala, as all Nominees will be recognized during the event. Registration fees apply to all attendees excluding Awardee.

Special thanks to Sinai Hospital for sponsoring this year's award!