1. Scholarship applications are accepted year-round. Applications received Dec 1 – May 31 will be considered for the Sept–Nov exam window; applications received Jun 1 – Nov 30 will be considered for the Mar–May exam window.
2. All eligibility requirements to sit for initial certification must be met at the time the scholarship recipient completes the online examination application.
3. To be eligible for an ABPANC Scholarship for Certification Fees ($350), the applicant must attest that no monetary support for certification is available from their employer.
4. Applicants must complete the scholarship application and respond to the required questions included for scholarship consideration.
5. Scholarships are awarded as a voucher code provided to the recipient to use when registering for the exam online.
6. The ABPANC Awards and Scholarship Committee reviews all certification scholarship applications.
7. The number of scholarships may vary annually based on the budget allocated to the program.
8. Applicants will be notified by June 20 for the Sept–Nov cycle and by Dec 20 for the Mar–May cycle regarding award decisions.
9. An individual may only apply for and receive an ABPANC scholarship once. Individuals who received a Scholarship for initial Certification Fees are not eligible to apply for a Scholarship for Recertification Fees.
10. Recipients must sit for the exam within one of the next two exam windows after receipt of the scholarship; otherwise the scholarship is forfeited and becomes null and void.
11. If a recipient has already paid the examination fee online prior to receiving a scholarship, the registration fee will not be reimbursed.

Purpose: Publicly recognize a CPAN® and/or CAPA® certified nurse in a non-leadership role who demonstrates exceptional patient advocacy through compassionate care, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence in perianesthesia nursing.

What to submit: A nomination story describing how the nominee advocated above and beyond their normal role to meet a perianesthesia patient’s or family’s needs. Provide details, data, quotes, and testimonials where possible.

Eligibility: Nominee must be currently CPAN® and/or CAPA® certified and demonstrate one or more of the following competencies:

• Provides empathic care
• Uses standards of excellence
• Advocates for patients and significant others
• Serves in a non-leadership (non-supervisory) role while demonstrating exceptional patient advocacy.
• Takes initiative
• Demonstrates interpersonal understanding (including cross-cultural sensitivity)

*Know a leader who demonstrates these qualities? Nominate them for the Excellence in Perianesthesia Nurse Leadership Award!

Deadline & Recognition: Nominations due Feb 15. Winners are recognized in-person at the CPAN/CAPA Celebration Luncheon during the ASPAN National Conference.

Awards:

• Winner: plaque, $350 cash award, scholarship toward next recertification, and potential travel support if employer cannot cover expenses.
• Nominator: $100 cash award.
• Winner’s unit: $350 scholarship for certification/recertification/education resources.

Purpose: Honor a CPAN® and/or CAPA® certified nurse leader who demonstrates extraordinary leadership through advocacy, innovation, compassionate care, and commitment to advancing the profession.

Who qualifies as a Nurse Leader: Charge Nurse, Nurse Lead, Clinical Manager, Nurse Educator, Assistant Nurse Manager, Nurse Manager, Assistant Director, Director, or other leadership/responsibility roles.

Competencies:

• Leads with compassion and integrity
• Uses standards of excellence and advances evidence-based practice
• Acts as a community advocate for nurses and patients
• Serves as a change agent and champions innovation
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence

Submission & Review:

• Complete and submit the application by Feb 15.
• Awards and Marketing Committee may request additional information from the nominator.
• All nominations undergo blind review; ABPANC staff redact identifying information before committee review.
• The Awards and Marketing Committee reviews nominations and selects a recipient by unanimous decision; the Committee Chair or staff liaison notifies the Board of Directors.

Recognition & Awards:

• Recipient: scholarship for next recertification fee, plaque, and $350 cash award.
• Nominator: $100 cash award.
• Recipient’s unit: certification voucher.
• Winners are recognized at the ABPANC CPAN/CAPA celebration event during the ASPAN national conference.

Purpose: Recognize ASPAN Components that actively support and encourage CPAN® and CAPA® certification at the local level.

Program: Components meeting the award criteria are honored annually at the CPAN/CAPA Celebration Event. The award is a silver star engraved with the Component’s name and year for display at meetings.

How to qualify: Review the Shining Star award criteria on the award page and submit the required documentation by the Feb 15 deadline.

Purpose: Honor departments that achieve high CPAN®/CAPA® certification rates among eligible perianesthesia nurses.

Eligibility thresholds: Recognizes departments with 50%, 75%, or 100% certified staff. Departments receive a framed certificate and recognition on Certified Nurses Day.

Submission: Complete the application form in full and submit to the ABPANC national office by Feb 15. Once eligibility is verified, the submitting individual will be notified; awards are announced on Certified Nurses Day (March 19).

Recognition: Award recipients receive an ABPANC recognition plaque, along with a sample news release to share the achievement with their organization and local community.

How do I apply for an award or scholarship?

1. Register for an account or log in to the application portal.
2. Log in using your credentials.
3. Click Create or Start Application to begin a new submission.
4. Complete all required fields and submit your application before the applicable deadline.

Can I apply for more than one program?

Yes, provided you meet the eligibility requirements for each program. Please review the specific criteria for each award or scholarship before applying.

Who reviews applications?

Applications are reviewed by the ABPANC Awards & Scholarships task forces.

How many awards or scholarships are available each year?

The number of scholarships awarded each year may vary based on the funds budgeted by ABPANC. Recipients are selected based on the criteria established for each award.

What does the Certification Scholarship cover?

The Certification Scholarship provides up to $350 toward initial CPAN® or CAPA® certification fees.

Who is eligible for a Certification Scholarship?

Applicants must:

• Meet all eligibility requirements for initial CPAN® or CAPA® certification when submitting their examination application.
• Attest that their employer does not provide monetary support for certification expenses.
• Complete the scholarship application and required responses.

When can I apply?

Applications are accepted year-round.

Applications received:

• December 1 – May 31 will be considered for the September–November examination window.
• June 1 – November 30 will be considered for the March–May examination window.

How is the scholarship awarded?

Recipients receive a voucher code that can be applied when registering online for the certification examination.

When will I be notified?

• By June 20 for the September–November cycle.
• By December 20 for the March–May cycle.

Can I receive more than one ABPANC scholarship?

No. An individual may only apply for and receive an ABPANC scholarship once.

If I receive a Certification Scholarship, can I later apply for a Recertification Scholarship?

No. Individuals who receive a Certification Scholarship are not eligible to receive a Recertification Scholarship.

How long do I have to use the scholarship?

Recipients must sit for the certification examination within one of the next two examination windows following receipt of the scholarship. Unused scholarships become null and void.

What if I already paid for my examination?

Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively. Examination fees already paid will not be reimbursed.

What does the Recertification Scholarship cover?

The Recertification Scholarship provides $200 toward recertification through ABPANC's Continuing Education Program.

Who is eligible for a Recertification Scholarship?

Applicants must:

• Be eligible to recertify through ABPANC's Continuing Education Program.
• Have no employer-provided monetary support for recertification expenses.
• Meet all recertification requirements when submitting their recertification application.

Who is not eligible?

• Current members of the ABPANC Board of Directors.
• Individuals who previously received an ABPANC Certification Scholarship.

What is required as part of the application?

Applicants must submit a narrative describing how they promoted CPAN® or CAPA® certification during their current three-year certification period. Examples may include:

• Teaching or mentoring others
• Serving as an ABPANC Coach or ALRT member
• Sharing certification information at ASPAN component meetings
• Acting as a study buddy
• Posting certification resources in the workplace
• Participating on ABPANC task forces or studies

Activities related solely to earning continuing education or academic credits do not qualify.

When will I be notified?

• By June 20 for the July–October Recertification cycle.
• By December 20 for the January–April Recertification cycle.

How is the scholarship awarded?

Recipients receive an ABPANC voucher code to use when submitting their recertification application through Learning Builder.

How long do I have to use the scholarship?

The scholarship must be used during the upcoming Recertification Cycle for which the applicant is due to recertify. Unused scholarships become null and void.

What awards does ABPANC offer?

• ABPANC Advocacy Award — Publicly recognizes a CPAN® and/or CAPA® certified nurse in a non-leadership role who demonstrates exceptional patient advocacy through compassionate care, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence in perianesthesia nursing.
• Excellence in Perianesthesia Nursing Leadership Award — Recognizes a CPAN® and/or CAPA® certified nurse who demonstrates extraordinary leadership through advocacy, innovation, compassionate care, and a commitment to advancing perianesthesia nursing.
• ABPANC Certification Achievement Award — Recognizes departments that have achieved certification rates of at least 75% or 100% among eligible perianesthesia nurses.
• ABPANC Shining Star Award — Recognizes ASPAN Components that support and encourage CPAN® and CAPA® certification at the local level.

What is the deadline for award nominations?

The deadline for all award nominations is February 15.

Can I nominate someone else for an award?

Yes. Please review the eligibility requirements and nomination criteria for the specific award before submitting a nomination.

Where can I find eligibility requirements and nomination instructions?

Detailed eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and submission instructions are available on each award's information page within the portal.