HonorHealth Nursing Excellence Awards

Each year during National Nurses Week, we celebrate outstanding nurses who demonstrate exceptional skills, leadership and compassion in patient care.
 

Beacon Awards

HonorHealth leads the way with nine Beacon Award units, the most in Arizona. Presented by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the Beacon Award for Excellence honors hospital units that deliver outstanding patient care and create healthy work environments for caregivers.
 

DAISY Award®

We honor nurses through the DAISY Award® program, a national recognition that celebrates exceptional skills, compassion and dedication in patient care. What makes it special? These awards come straight from the heart, with nominations submitted by patients and families.

Virginia A. Lynch Pioneer Award in Forensic Nursing  

HonorHealth celebrates forensic nursing excellence. Forensic Nurse Supervisor Samantha Mendez-Dominguez recently earned the 2025 Virginia A. Lynch Pioneer Award, the highest honor from the International Association of Forensic Nurses, for her leadership in advancing care for victims of violence and trauma.

That same commitment drives our Forensic Nurse Examiner Program, which for more than 20 years has provided trauma-informed care to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking and other forms of interpersonal violence, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our nurses combine clinical expertise with evidence collection, patient support and collaboration with law enforcement, ensuring care that heals and protects.

Cardiac Cath Lab Academy: Master the art of interventional care, with hands-on training.

• Practice in guided skills labs that simulate real-world procedures.
• Stay sharp with online modules aligned to national standards.
• Collaborate through unit-based orientation with seasoned preceptors.
• Access innovative technology and life-saving interventions up close.
   

Critical Care Academy: Advance your skills in high-acuity care.

• Advance expertise with AACN online modules focused on evidence-based critical care practices.
• Immerse yourself in skills labs that replicate real-world ICU scenarios.
• Partner with experienced critical care preceptors during unit-based orientation.
• Build confidence and clinical judgment for life-saving decisions through hands-on training.
   

Emergency Department Academy: Thrive in the fast-paced world of emergency nursing.

• Complete Emergency Nurses Association online modules covering the essential knowledge base.
• Experience high-acuity scenarios through simulation training.
• Connect with mentors during unit-based orientation to master patient care in a dynamic setting.
• Develop confidence to make critical decisions in fast-paced situations through focused training.

Oncology Academy: Specialize in compassionate, evidence-based care.

• Learn through online modules that break down cancer pathophysiology, treatment options and patient-centered care.
• Apply skills in hands-on demos for equipment and safety practices.
• Engage in unit-based orientation with experienced oncology preceptors.
• Strengthen skills beyond the clinical like empathy, communication and building lasting patient relationships.
   

Perioperative Academy: Step into the OR with confidence. Start dates for this academy are offered in the fall and spring.

• Receive gold-standard knowledge for perioperative practice through the AORN online curriculum.
• Practice scrubbing, gowning, gloving and sterile field management in hands-on labs.
• Gain one-on-one mentorship that connects knowledge to real-life OR flow through guided orientation.
• Equip yourself to manage instruments, anticipate needs and excel in a surgical setting. 
   

Progressive Cardiac Care Unit Academy (PCCU): Elevate your cardiac expertise in a high-monitoring environment.

• Complete AACN online modules focusing on advanced progressive and cardiac care principles.
• Immerse yourself in skills labs that replicate complex patient scenarios in the progressive care setting.
• Benefit from guided-unit orientation with specialized mentorship to build advanced competencies.
• Prepare to manage and care for complex, high-acuity patients through focused training.

Evidence-based Practice and Nursing Research Fellowship: This one-year fellowship gives nurses the tools to lead scholarly projects and turn evidence into action.

• Work side by side with experienced mentors who guide every phase of research and evidence-based practice.
• Learn in dynamic settings through in-person workshops and interactive virtual sessions.
• Get hands-on experience developing projects, analyzing data and sharing findings locally and nationally.
• Establish a strong foundation with a comprehensive overview of evidence-based practice, plus optional courses on core research principles.
   

Nursing Informatics Fellowship: Sponsored by HonorHealth Clinical Informatics, this 12-month program gives fellows the tools to lead change and improve care through data and innovation.

• Apply ANA Nursing Informatics Scope and Standards of Practice, plus process improvement and project management concepts.
• Engage in monthly in-person sessions, system development lifecycle application, and one-on-one mentoring.
• Implement a technology optimization project and engage with guest speakers for real-world insights. 

Foundational Telemetry Education: Build a strong foundation in cardiac and telemetry care. This pathway offers a structured approach to caring for monitored patients.

• Complete interactive classes and online modules covering electrocardiogram interpretation, remote telemetry and more.
• Apply your knowledge through unit-based orientation with experienced preceptors.
• Earn an ACLS certification provided by HonorHealth.
• Strengthen your skills with AACN online modules and hands-on labs for practical experience.
   

The Nurse Extern Program: A hands-on experience that provides nursing students the opportunity to turn classroom learning into real-world experience. Externs work side by side with experienced RNs under direct supervision, practicing skills they’ve learned in school and building confidence in patient care, assessments and documentation. Designed for students enrolled in a nursing program, this program sharpens critical thinking and prepares future nurses for success. 

HonorNurse: A voluntary program for registered nurses who want to grow, connect and lead. It’s more than professional development; it’s a community that celebrates advanced skills, shares ideas and shapes the future of nursing at HonorHealth. Nurses who complete the program earn recognition and a financial reward for their achievement.

• Celebrate accomplishments through recognition and reward opportunities.
• Connect at networking events that build relationships.
• Access leadership resources to strengthen your influence.
• Innovate with tools and support for practice improvement.

The New Graduate Residency Program: This experience helps nurses take a confident first step into their careers. This six-month program combines precepted shifts with monthly learning, hands-on skills labs, interactive lectures and real-world practice — all guided by clinical nurse educators who know how to turn potential into power.