Nurse Innovator Award Application
The Nurse Innovator Award is a recognition program sponsored by the Center for Missouri Nurses (CMN). This award recognizes the contributions of all nurses in any stage of their careers, who demonstrate innovative approaches to improve care for their patients and/or improve the quality of healthcare and healthcare outcomes for their target population.
The Center for Missouri Nurses is a philanthropic and educational partner of the Missouri Nursing Association. The purpose of CMN is to support opportunities for the development, maintenance, and enhancement of high-quality professional nursing in Missouri and to foster, in collaboration with nursing, community, and health related organizations, the professional nursing role in promoting and improving the quality of healthcare and healthcare outcomes for all Missourians.
The vision and mission statements of the CMN are as follows:
Vision: The Center for Missouri Nurses champions the profession of nursing for a healthy Missouri.
Mission: The mission of the Center for Missouri Nurses is to fund, support, and implement innovative initiatives to advance the nursing profession and promote the health of Missourians.
Nurse Innovator Award Program Aim: To recognize nurse-led initiatives and to encourage evidence-based, patient-centered innovations that are the heart of nursing. This award recognizes nurses who demonstrate qualities of leader and innovator, and who contribute to the nursing profession by improving or promoting the health of Missourians.
Eligibility: Individuals and teams are welcome to apply.
Award: Selected projects will receive $500 to $1000 award to be determined at the committee’s discretion based on number of qualified applications received
To apply, please follow this process:
- If completing the application as a team, the person designated as the team leader should complete/submit the application materials
- Applicant/team leader completes the abstract (Download Word Template).
- Applicant/team leader provides a resume and a headshot/photograph (if team, provide team lead only)
- Attach required documents to the application form below using the following naming structure in quotes. Be sure to replace “LastName” with applicant/team leader’s last name.
- Abstract – “2025_Innovator_Abstract_LastName”
- Resume – “2025_Innovator_Resume_LastName”
- Headshot Photo in jpg or png format, “2025_Innovator_Photo_LastName”
- Submit the form
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS August 15, 2025
Questions that arise during your submission may be directed to .
- Completed Application Packet. If the applicant is a team, the person designated as the team leader should complete the application packet. The applicant can type the abstract directly into this packet. If a team is selected as an award recipient, the cash award will be presented to the team lead, who can decide how to distribute the funds.
- Project Abstract – up to 2000-word count. This abstract provides a summary of the project, including goals, timeline, impact of the project, and outcomes, the applicant’s role, and next steps, if any. Describe strategies that contributed to you or your team’s success.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV). This document should include the applicant’s education, nursing specific work history, committees, professional affiliations/organizations, major projects, and any community service. If a team is applying, only the team leader should provide a resume or CV.
- Applicant/Team Leader provides headshot/photo.