Diamond Chapter

Recognizing Excellence in Florida Nursing Student Chapters

The FNSA Diamond Chapter Circle recognizes outstanding nursing student association chapters that demonstrate excellence in leadership, service, professional development, advocacy, membership engagement, and involvement within FNSA and the nursing profession.

Diamond Chapter recognition is one of FNSA's highest chapter honors and is presented annually during the FNSA Convention. Chapters are evaluated based on their involvement and accomplishments across multiple areas of chapter development and professional engagement.

Who Can Apply?

Florida nursing student association chapters are encouraged to participate in the Diamond Chapter Circle.

The application evaluates each chapter's activities and involvement throughout the year. Chapters should review the complete application and scoring rubric before submitting.

How Does the Application Work?

The Diamond Chapter Application uses a 100-point scoring system across eight categories. Each category recognizes a different aspect of chapter involvement and achievement.

Chapters are strongly encouraged to review the Diamond Chapter Scoring Sheet before beginning their application and use it throughout the academic year to track progress and supporting documentation.

[DOWNLOAD DIAMOND CHAPTER SCORING SHEET]

Supporting Documentation

Chapters must provide supporting documentation for each scoring criterion for which points are claimed. Documentation must demonstrate that the activity, program, event, involvement, or accomplishment occurred during the current academic year.

Examples of acceptable supporting documentation may include:

  • Photographs from chapter activities or events

  • Event flyers, programs, or promotional materials

  • Meeting minutes or attendance records

  • Screenshots of chapter websites, newsletters, emails, or social media posts

  • Copies of resolutions or confirmation of submission/passage

  • Letters or documentation from faculty or chapter consultants

  • Fundraising records or receipts

  • Convention registration, attendance, or volunteer documentation

  • Committee or board appointment documentation

  • Award applications, certificates, or recognition

  • Other documentation that clearly verifies completion of the applicable scoring criterion

One document may be used to support multiple scoring criteria when applicable; however, chapters should clearly identify which criterion or criteria the documentation supports. Documentation should clearly identify the chapter, activity, and date whenever possible.

Important: Points will only be awarded when sufficient supporting documentation is provided. Activities completed outside the current academic year will not be considered toward the chapter's Diamond Chapter score.

Diamond Chapter Scoring

  • Official Constituency Status

    Recognition of the chapter's official constituency status with FNSA/NSNA.

  • Faculty Support of Professional Development

    Faculty support, member recognition, promotion of nursing leadership, and support of chapter membership and professional involvement.

  • Membership

    Chapter partnerships, mentorship and pre-nursing programs, and communication with alumni, faculty, and distinguished members.

  • Community Health Participation

    Community health activities, resolutions, committee involvement, and participation in community health awards

  • Legislative Advocacy & Political Action

    Legislative activities, resolutions, committee involvement, and participation in legislative advocacy awards.

  • Breakthrough to Nursing

    BTN activities, outreach to school-aged and pre-nursing students, committee involvement, and participation in BTN awards.

  • Communications

    Chapter meetings, websites, social media, newsletters, and participation in communication-related awards.

  • State & National Convention

    Chapter participation beyond the local level, including FNSA scholarship fundraising, convention volunteer service, delegate participation, attendance at state and national events, committee and board service, and national awards.

How Chapters Are Recognized

Diamond Chapter recognition celebrates chapters demonstrating strong overall involvement across the areas evaluated in the application.

Chapters are encouraged to review the scoring rubric early and use it as a guide for planning chapter activities, strengthening member engagement, expanding professional involvement, and documenting accomplishments throughout the year.

Ready to Apply?

Complete the Diamond Chapter Application and submit all requested supporting documentation by the published convention deadline.

Complete the Diamond Chapter Application

Application requirements and deadlines may be updated annually. Chapters should review the current application before beginning their submission.