For Nurses | Recognition & Awards

New frontiers in care delivery are explored daily, earning Nursing/Patient Care honors for its innovations and breakthroughs.

US News and World Report Honor Roll 2025-2026

U.S. News & World Report Ranking

Boston Children’s Hospital is regularly ranked as one of the best children's hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on four key elements: reputation, patient outcomes, patient safety and care-related factors, such as the adequacy of nurse staffing and the breadth of patient services. These rankings rely heavily on patient outcomes and nurse-sensitive measures.

American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet® Designation

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition® is considered the most prestigious institutional distinction a health care organization can receive for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovation in professional nursing. Only 8 percent of hospitals across the nation have achieved this designation. Consumers rely on Magnet designation as the ultimate credential for high-quality nursing.

Boston Children’s first achieved Magnet designation in 2008 and was awarded redesignation in 2012, 2017, and 2022.

Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award

Boston Children’s Emergency Department first received Lantern Award designation in 2012, followed by re-designations in 2015, 2018, and 2021 from the Emergency Nurses Association.

The Emergency Nurses Association bestows the Lantern Award on emergency departments that exemplify exceptional practice and innovative performance in the core areas of nursing leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research.

Beacon Award for Excellence

The Beacon Award for Excellence was established by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) to recognize individual hospital units that demonstrate evidence-based practices to improve patient, family and staff outcomes.

Since 2010, all four Boston Children’s intensive care units (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Medicine Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) have received gold Beacon Awards. The Cardiovascular Inpatient Unit has also received a silver Beacon Award for Excellence.

These awards are evidence of positive work environments, stellar leadership structures, evidence-based practice, improvement science and positive outcomes for patients, families and staff.

ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program

Boston Children’s Hospital has received accreditation with distinction for our Transition to Nursing Practice Program from the American Nurse’s Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP®). The Practice Transition Accreditation Program is widely viewed as the highest standard for residency or fellowship programs that transition registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) into new professional practice settings.

Boston Children’s also recognizes and celebrates nurses for their unique contributions that reach beyond the expected every day.

Daisy Award

This award is given monthly to an outstanding nurse. Award recipients are nominated by grateful patients, families and fellow employees. Since the program’s inception, more than 100 Boston Children’s nurses have been awarded this national honor.

Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award

Our annual Award for Clinical Excellence in Nursing recognizes an individual nurse who demonstrates collegiality and ongoing dedication and commitment to providing the highest quality pediatric care to patients, families and the community.

The winner of this award is announced each year at the Annual Nurses Reception during National Nurses Week in May.

Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award

Our prestigious Excellence in Nursing Leadership award recognizes a nursing role model who exemplifies the values of Nursing/Patient Care and who enacts our vision to transform health care through nursing leadership.

The winner of this award is announced each year at the Annual Nurses Reception during National Nurses Week in May.

Best in Care Award

The Best in Care Award recognizes the significant contributions made by nurses and other team members. Our patients and families recognize staff members and volunteers who embody the following principles of patient- and family-centered care: respect, information sharing, compassion, and participation.

Family Advisory Council Seal of Approval

Our Family Advisory Council awards its Seal of Approval to work that embodies patient- and family-centered care principles, and that benefits patients and families. Projects earning a Seal of Approval improve an aspect of the patient and family experience or incorporate the voice of the patient and family.

BRAVO! Staff Recognition Program

Our BRAVO! Staff Recognition Program celebrates Boston Children’s employees through a variety of special initiatives, including Way to Shine, Service Awards and our Excellence Award (previously called Employee of the Month).

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