Earning our CNOR Strong Award is no small accomplishment. It reflects a powerful commitment to perioperative excellence, a culture that supports certification, and a team dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality patient care. But what comes next? For facilities that have achieved CNOR Strong recognition, the next step is clear: our TrueNorth Award program.

From Recognition to Leadership 

CNOR Strong highlights facilities where certification is a priority, where at least 50% of eligible perioperative nurses are CNOR-certified, and where those achievements are consistently recognized and supported. It’s a meaningful milestone and a strong indicator of a culture rooted in professionalism, clinical expertise, and improved patient outcomes. 

The TrueNorth Award takes that commitment even further, demonstrating sustained leadership and impact. Developed by CCI to recognize organizations that use certification as their “true north,” this award celebrates facilities that actively foster lifelong learning, support professional growth, and promote excellence and patient safety across their perioperative teams.

Why Pursue the TrueNorth Award? 

TrueNorth is all about showcasing the full scope of your organization’s commitment to certification excellence. Facilities that earn the TrueNorth Award demonstrate: 

• Strong organizational support for certification 
• Meaningful recognition of certified nurses 
• Ongoing professional engagement and development
• A culture of volunteerism and knowledge-sharing 
• High certification ratios and expertise across teams 

TrueNorth awardees don’t just meet the standard, they help define it! Recipients are also recognized by CCI with:

• A formal award presentation and commemorative plaque 
• A monetary award to celebrate certified nurses 
• National recognition through CCI communications 

A Natural Next Step for CNOR Strong Facilities 

CNOR Strong and TrueNorth are closely aligned by design. In fact, the TrueNorth program has evolved to serve as a next-tier recognition for organizations that have already demonstrated success through CNOR Strong. If your facility is already:

• Advocating for certification 
• Supporting perioperative nurses in achieving and maintaining credentials 
•  Celebrating certified staff and their impact 

…then you may already be well on your way to a strong TrueNorth application. TrueNorth provides an opportunity to bring all those efforts together and tell a more complete story about your organization’s commitment to excellence. 

Apply by August 31, 2026 

The 2026 TrueNorth application cycle is now open, and applications will be accepted through August 31, 2026. If your organization is CNOR Strong, you’ve already built the foundation. Now is your chance to elevate that achievement and gain recognition as a national leader in perioperative certification excellence with TrueNorth.

Thank You For Your Supp