The Diane Thompkins Lifetime Achievement Award

Purpose

The Diane Thompkins ABNS Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual’s outstanding and sustained contributions to the nursing profession, the American Board of Nursing Specialties and the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification for exemplary professional practice and nursing leadership related to nursing specialty certification.

Eligibility

The nominee must have served ABNS and ABSNC and the field of nursing specialty certification in a significant leadership capacity, demonstrating the qualities of leadership and service to the profession by his/her professional and personal example. This award recognizes a sustained record of achievement over the span of a career versus a singular achievement no matter how noteworthy.

Criteria

In completing the nomination application, the nominator should address the nominee’s commitment citing examples of as many of the following criteria as possible. The nominee has repeatedly demonstrated the following characteristics:

• Active in ABNS for at least 10 years, with demonstrated involvement in activities that advance the visibility, mission, and vision of ABNS.
• Contributes to the specialty nursing certification industry.
• Develops new practices to continue the path of innovation in the industry.
• Contributes with other nursing organizations/communities to include ABSNC.

DEADLINE: January 31. 2026