Distinguished CFRN / CTRN Awards

BCEN Distinguished CFRN & Distinguished CTRN Awards

The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) seeks to recognize one outstanding Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) and one outstanding Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN) as part of its annual Distinguished Awards. BCEN’s Distinguished Awards recognize top board certified nurses across the emergency spectrum who exemplify excellence in their specialty practice and who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advocating for, supporting and promoting board certification.

Award Criteria & Eligibility

Do you know a CFRN-certified flight nurse or a CTRN-certified ground transport nurse who:

• Demonstrates the clinical excellence and professionalism of a CFRN- or CTRN-certified nurse in their own practice or role.
• Encourages peers to attain certification in flight or critical care ground transport nursing.
• Is knowledgeable regarding issues related to certification.
• Demonstrates the ability to articulate the professional aspects of certification in flight or critical care ground transport nursing.
• Functions as a role model by obtaining and maintaining the CFRN or CTRN credential.

Nurses must hold a CFRN or CTRN and may be nominated by a colleague, supervisor or their employer or self-nominate. Complete eligibility & award details are available on BCEN’s Distinguished Awards page.

Nomination Process

The nomination window for BCEN's 2026 awards opens on January 9, 2026 and closes on February 20, 2026. Both the nominator and nominee portions must be completed by 11:59 pm CT on Friday, February 20. The link to nominate will come when nominations open in January.

You will be asked to provide the following information about your nominee:

• Their name, email address, title and affiliation/place of employment
• The Distinguished Award for which they’re being nominated (CFRN or CTRN)
• How you believe they exemplify the clinical excellence and professionalism of a BCEN-certified nurse in the flight or critical care ground transport specialty

Following the nomination, the nominee will be asked to submit additional information including a current CV and how they have supported and advocated specialty certification.

Celebrating the Honorees

Recipients of the BCEN Distinguished Awards will receive a commemorative pin and trophy, and will be honored with a celebration at their workplace.

Distinguished CFRN/CTRN Award Winners

BCEN’s National Certification Champion (NCC) Award

BCEN’s National Certification Champion (NCC) Award recognizes critical care ground transport and flight programs/bases (along with hospitals and other healthcare facilities) that:

• Exemplify excellence in supporting emergency RNs who pursue BCEN certifications
• Show achievement in designing effective and innovative programs supporting emergency nursing specialty certification 
• Demonstrate the impact of board certified emergency nurses on patient, nurse and organizational outcomes through data-based examples

Nominations for the 2026 award cycle will open Friday, May 15. Learn more on BCEN’s NCC Award page.