Dan Lose, DNP, RN, CNML, is the recipient of the 2026 College of Nursing Emerging Nurse Leader Award. Lose (16DNP, 12BSN) currently serves as nursing director for the Medical Surgical Services Division at University of Iowa Health Care, where he oversees nine inpatient units, encompassing 293 beds and over 600 clinical staff. 

Lose’s accomplishments include developing the Unit Partner program, a student employee program that provides undergraduate nursing students with flexible and meaningful clinical exposure while helping to meet staffi ng demands; the addition of assistant nurse managers and clinical practice leaders on four high-volume units; co-designing and implementing a nurse manager onboarding series; and co-founding the Young Nurse Leader Program to introduce pre- licensure BSN students to formal leadership pathways. 

Lose’s leadership “reflects a commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care; the advancement of nursing systems; and the preparation of future nurse leaders,” his nominator wrote, adding, “his strategic thinking, data-informed action, and strong interpersonal leadership have inspired countless colleagues and students.”

► Read more from the 2025 Iowa Nursing magazine