Elaine
McCord
December 2025
Elaine
McCord
,
MSN, RN
Nebraska Methodist Hospital and Women's Hospital
Omaha
,
NE
United States
Elaine McCord not only ensures our patients benefit from the most current, evidence-based care, but she also embodies the heart of patient-centered care, demonstrating empathy and compassion that enhance the well-being of every patient and her colleagues.
Elaine McCord’s nursing career started at Methodist in 1984, caring for patients in the coronary and intensive care units prior to taking a position in the Cardiopulmonary Rehab department. One thing she realized during this time was her love of educating patients. Spending time teaching her patients and their families allowed her to foster deep connections with them, while impacting their overall outcome.
In 2007, Elaine became a Learning Center Consultant, where she taught new nurses how to perform skills to aid in their transition into nursing practice at Methodist. Her kindness, compassion, sense of humor, effective communication, and listening skills led to her success in this role. Elaine made starting a new role less intimidating because she adapted teaching to meet the needs of the learner, which also made learning fun!
In 2009, Elaine began serving as a staff nurse who supported maintaining the hospital’s prestigious Magnet recognition. This role was followed by her serving as the Patient Experience Coordinator for 5 years prior to transitioning to the Director of Patient Education for the health system, where she has remained since 2016. With each of these positions, Elaine built collaborative relationships with colleagues from a variety of disciplines and role modeled nursing excellence, professionalism, and grew her skills as a nurse educator and leader.
A lifelong learner herself, Elaine models a deep commitment to continuous growth and professional development. In 2014, she obtained a Master of Nursing degree with a focus on education. Not only was she a good student, but she was also so easy to work with. Many laughs were shared during those years, and her Teach Back research project grew her as an educator! Elaine also helped develop and maintain the Patient and Family Advisory Council, eventually transitioning to the Patient Voice Program. She served on the Professional Development Council for many years, where she was integral in developing a variety of professional development programs, such as the PACER program, staff awards and recognition, preceptor training, and the mentor program.
Elaine McCord not only ensures our patients benefit from the most current, evidence-based care, but she also embodies the heart of patient-centered care, demonstrating empathy and compassion that enhance the well-being of every patient and her colleagues. She teaches nurses how to understand patient needs, advocate effectively, and empower them to deliver individualized care with dignity and respect.
Thank you, Elaine, for your leadership and unwavering dedication to education. You have influenced not just learners over your 41 years of nursing practice, but the lives of countless patients, their families, colleagues, and students. You made a difference!
In 2007, Elaine became a Learning Center Consultant, where she taught new nurses how to perform skills to aid in their transition into nursing practice at Methodist. Her kindness, compassion, sense of humor, effective communication, and listening skills led to her success in this role. Elaine made starting a new role less intimidating because she adapted teaching to meet the needs of the learner, which also made learning fun!
In 2009, Elaine began serving as a staff nurse who supported maintaining the hospital’s prestigious Magnet recognition. This role was followed by her serving as the Patient Experience Coordinator for 5 years prior to transitioning to the Director of Patient Education for the health system, where she has remained since 2016. With each of these positions, Elaine built collaborative relationships with colleagues from a variety of disciplines and role modeled nursing excellence, professionalism, and grew her skills as a nurse educator and leader.
A lifelong learner herself, Elaine models a deep commitment to continuous growth and professional development. In 2014, she obtained a Master of Nursing degree with a focus on education. Not only was she a good student, but she was also so easy to work with. Many laughs were shared during those years, and her Teach Back research project grew her as an educator! Elaine also helped develop and maintain the Patient and Family Advisory Council, eventually transitioning to the Patient Voice Program. She served on the Professional Development Council for many years, where she was integral in developing a variety of professional development programs, such as the PACER program, staff awards and recognition, preceptor training, and the mentor program.
Elaine McCord not only ensures our patients benefit from the most current, evidence-based care, but she also embodies the heart of patient-centered care, demonstrating empathy and compassion that enhance the well-being of every patient and her colleagues. She teaches nurses how to understand patient needs, advocate effectively, and empower them to deliver individualized care with dignity and respect.
Thank you, Elaine, for your leadership and unwavering dedication to education. You have influenced not just learners over your 41 years of nursing practice, but the lives of countless patients, their families, colleagues, and students. You made a difference!