The Wisconsin Director of Nursing Council is proud to partner with The DAISY Foundation™ as a Supportive Association. Through this collaboration, WDONC is able to showcase its members with two internationally recognized awards that celebrate and honor the extraordinary skills, compassion, and dedication of nurses and nursing leaders in the post-acute and long-term care continuum.

This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting post-acute and long-term care professionals and providing meaningful opportunities to recognize excellence across the continuum of care.

Learn more about The DAISY Foundation™ and how you can honor those compassionate nurses in your organization, and the evidence of its impact.

Nominations are open.  Please, no self-nominations.  Nominations will close December 22nd, 2025. One nominee will be selected from each nomination category. The award will be given at Symposium 2026 at our annual meeting.  

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD CRITERIA*

  • A distinguished career as a nurse in clinical practice, administration, education, and/or research that promotes a positive image of professional nursing
  • Demonstrates and actively engages in the professional development of self and others in the nursing profession
  • Serves as a role model and advocate for nursing practice and the advancement of nursing as a professional in the post-acute and long-term care continuum.
  • Advocates for the improvement of patient care and serves as an exemplar for enhancing the patient experience
  • Recognized by the broader nursing community as a transformational nursing leader
  • Is a member or has been a member of the Wisconsin Director of Nursing Council
  • 20+ years of service

NURSE LEADER AWARD*

  • Mentors other Post-Acute & Long-Term Care Continuum Nurse Leaders or Clinical Nurses
  • Promotes the image and visibility of Post-Acute & Long-Term Care Continuum in the community and the profession
  • Role models Post-Acute & Long-Term care continuum leadership attributes of being visionary and strategic
  • Supports post-acute & long-term care continuum nursing professional or programmatic and policy development 
  • 10+ years of experience as a nurse
  • Is a current member of the Wisconsin Director of Nursing Council

SUPPORTIVE ASSOCIATION SPONSORS

We appreciate our Premier Business Partner Members.  Their support enables WDONC to present the DAISY Awards to compassionate and exemplary Wisconsin nurses. 

 Nominations Are Open Until Dec. 22nd