This educator is the epitome of what every educator should strive to be. This is evidenced by the Chief Nursing Officer asking her to mentor new educators outside of her service line. She is a certified expert in the specialty, and her passion for lifelong learning is being realized by pursuing her graduate degree to become a clinical nurse specialist. She is engaged with her professional organization and is the secretary for the state association. She also chairs the state organization's education special interest group, which involves coordinating the educational offerings for members and developing the continuing education (CE) planning documents. She has partnered with colleagues for the past two years to bring clinical concerns to the national general assembly in the form of resolutions. This allows over 800 delegates from all 50 states to vote to determine the direction that the organization takes. Both resolutions have met with approval, so there will be an impact at the national level regarding environmental safety for emergency nurses and improving patient safety in the waiting area during times of high volume.

She is a collaborative partner in both the service line and the organization. She has worked on a variety of patient-centered projects to improve patient outcomes. These projects include care of the acute ischemic stroke patient, sepsis recognition and adherence to the Center for Medicare/Medicaid services bundles, care of the bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy patients, and high-risk obstetric patients. To gain support for the various educational offerings that she develops, she offers CE and is skilled at completing the planning documents. She supports shared leadership and works side-by-side with team members to ensure that the unit processes are efficient and follow the standards of care set forth by the professional organization.

She has increased the number of clinical ladder participants on her unit from a low of one, several years ago to over 20 nurses now. Three years ago, there were no level IV clinical ladder nurses and now there are three nurses with one more in progress. Another huge win that is a direct reflection of this educator’s impact on the growth and professional development of unit are that certifications are over 25%.  This team now asks for monthly education.

She is humble regarding the success that she has seen in her professional career. Her success is related to her passion for education and the team that she serves. She is happy to walk in step with the team and is viewed as an expert at vascular access, trauma and neuro care. The team is often at her door asking for advice.

She also teaches organizational level classes in addition to the required education for the service line, these include Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Life Support and Trauma Nursing Core Curriculum. Her expertise in these many areas make her an amazing educator for the new graduate nurse cohort. The new graduates often report that they learn so much from this nurse during both didactic content and simulation skills and competencies.