ARN Member Awards and Scholarships

ARN offers members an opportunity to acknowledge peers and colleagues for their exemplary work and service. Exceptional rehabilitation nurses deserve recognition for their contributions to rehabilitation nursing. Supervisors, colleagues, or family members can submit nominations. Some awards are self-nominating and ARN members can nominate themselves.

A New Way to Celebrate: 2025 Awards and Scholarships Ceremony

This year, ARN is launching our first-ever virtual Awards and Scholarships ceremony. Instead of taking place at the annual conference, the 2025 ARN Awards and Scholarships event will be held virtually, making it possible for your peers, colleagues, friends, and family to join in recognizing the impact of rehab nurses across the country.
More visibility. More voices. More ways to celebrate your contributions.
Mark Your Calendar: September 17, 2025 | Virtual 

Register Now

Awards and Scholarship Timeline: 

May 15

Call for applications/nominations opens

June 15

Application/nomination deadline

July

Submitters and awardees notified

September 17

ARN Awards and Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Awards and Scholarships Now Open

Scholarships:

Awards:

NEW Awards:

SCHOLARSHIPS

Mary Ann Mikulic Conference Scholarship

Attend ARN's 2025 Rehab Nursing Conference
The Mary Ann Mikulic Scholarship covers one full hybrid registration fee for a first-time attendee to ARN’s 2025 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference. Attend the conference both in-person in Phoenix, AZ, and virtually to earn continuing education credits and connect with your rehab nursing community.

Value: $799+

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Must be a first-time attendee of the Rehabilitation Nursing Conference.
  • Must be a rehabilitation nurse or a student with an interest in rehabilitation nursing.

The scholarship covers the registration fee for one nurse. Transportation to and from the conference as well as accommodations while at the meeting must be covered by the scholarship recipient.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Scholarship

Apply to earn financial assistance in rehabilitation nursing from ARN.
The ARN scholarship program provides financial assistance to rehabilitation nurses working toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. 

Award: $1,500

Eligibility:
Rehabilitation nurses who meet these criteria are eligible for the scholarship:

  • Must be a registered nurse currently working toward a BSN degree.
  • Must be enrolled in a nursing program and demonstrate an interest in rehabilitation nursing.

Application process
To be considered, application materials must be received by June 15, 2025.

Selection
The recipient will be selected by ARN based on the application materials provided. All scholarship applicants will be notified in July. Payment will be made to the scholarship recipient before the end of the year.

You will be required to upload a headshot.

Graduate School Scholarship

Apply to earn financial assistance for your graduate school from ARN
ARN offers financial assistance in the form of a scholarship to nurses working toward a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a doctorate degree in nursing (PhD, DNP, DNS/DNSc).

Award: $1,500

Eligibility:

  • Must be a CRRN.
  • Must be an ARN member in good standing.
  • Must be currently enrolled or accepted into an MSN, DNP, PhD, or DNS/DNSc program.
  • Thesis or project must focus on rehabilitation nursing or a related area of advanced practice.

Application process

To be considered, application materials must be received by June 15, 2025.

Selection

The recipient will be selected by ARN based on the application materials provided. All scholarship applicants will be notified in July. Payment will be made to the scholarship recipient before the end of the year.

You will be required to upload a headshot.

CRRN® Certification Exam Scholarship

Apply to earn financial assistance to sit for the CRRN® exam
This scholarship provides assistance for rehabilitation nurses planning to sit for the CRRN® exam in December 2025 or June 2026.

Value: $460

Eligibility:

  • Must be an ARN member in good standing
  • Must be a nurse working in a rehabilitation specialty and planning to site for the CRRN® exam.
  • Application must be submitted prior to the selected testing window.

Application process

To be considered, application materials must be received by June 15, 2025. Winners will be notified in July and expected to attend the live, virtual awards event in September 2025.

Selection

The recipient will be selected by ARN based on the application materials provided.Payment will be made to the scholarship recipient before the end of the year. 

Mary Ellen Hatch Emerging Leader Membership Scholarship

Provides one year of complimentary ARN membership to an emerging leader in rehabilitation nursing.

Value: $165

Qualifications:

  • Must be a new or emerging leader in rehabilitation nursing.
  • Must not have been an ARN member for more than three years before applying.

 

AWARDS

Direct Patient Care Nurse Award

Recognizes a nurse who has demonstrated exceptional direct patient care and commitment to rehabilitation nursing.

Qualifications:
  • Must be an active ARN member in good standing.
  • Must be actively involved in direct patient care in a rehabilitation setting.
  • Demonstrates exceptional patient outcomes, advocacy, and a commitment to rehabilitation nursing.

Leadership Award

Honors a nurse or professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field of rehabilitation nursing.

Qualifications:

  • Must be an ARN member in good standing.
  • Must demonstrate exceptional leadership within the rehabilitation nursing community.
  • Can be a nurse, administrator, or other professional in rehabilitation nursing.

Patient Advocacy Award

Recognizes an individual who has advocated for patients, ensuring they receive the best care and services in rehabilitation settings.

Qualifications:

  • Must be an ARN member in good standing.
  • Must have demonstrated significant advocacy for patients in rehabilitation settings.
  • Must be actively involved in protecting patient rights and well-being.

Nurse Educator Award

Acknowledges a nurse educator who has made significant contributions to educating and mentoring the next generation of rehabilitation nurses.

Qualifications:

  • Must be an ARN member in good standing.
  • Must be an educator providing nursing education to future nurses or professionals interested in rehabilitation nursing.
  • Demonstrates excellence in teaching, curriculum development, or student mentorship.

Outstanding Student Award

This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in their nursing program with a strong interest in rehabilitation nursing.

Qualifications:

  • Must be currently enrolled in a nursing program.
  • Must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and a clear commitment to rehabilitation nursing.

Rising Star Award

This award honors a rehabilitation nurse early in their career who has shown great potential and promise in the field.

Qualifications:

  • Must have fewer than 5 years of professional rehabilitation nursing experience.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to improving patient care and advancing the practice of rehabilitation nursing.

Volunteer Impact Award

This award recognizes an individual who has shown outstanding dedication to volunteerism and made a significant impact in the rehabilitation nursing field through ARN.

Qualifications:

  • Must be an ARN member in good standing.
  • Must be actively involved in volunteer work with ARN related to rehabilitation nursing or healthcare.
  • Demonstrates exceptional commitment to service and community impact.

Preceptor/Mentor Award

Recognizes a preceptor or professional who has demonstrated exceptional teaching, support, and mentorship to nursing students or new rehabilitation nurses, helping to advance the field.

Qualifications:

  • Must have served as a preceptor for nursing students or new nurses.
  • Must be actively involved in volunteer work with ARN related to rehabilitation nursing or healthcare.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to professional development of others in rehabilitation nursing.
    Or:
  • Must have shown a sustained commitment to mentoring others in the field.
  • Has contributed meaningfully to the growth of colleagues through guidance and support.

Innovative Practice Researcher Award

This award honors an individual who has contributed significantly through research or evidence-based practice aimed at advancing rehabilitation nursing.

Qualifications:

  • Must be an ARN member in good standing.
  • Must have led research or implemented evidence-based practice to advance the field.
  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to improving patient care through innovation.

Excellence in Long-Term Care Rehabilitation Award

This award honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the quality of care in long-term or skilled nursing facility rehabilitation settings.

Qualifications:

  • Must be an ARN member in good standing.
  • Must work in a long-term care or skilled nursing facility.
  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate rehabilitation care.

feature about

Join Your Specialty Organization

Become an ARN member today to achieve your professional goals as a rehabilitation nurse

Learn More