Celebrating Nurse Educators

Tammy Pleasant MSN-ED, RN, CNE

Health Care has changed so much over my 40 years as a nurse! So have nursing students and nursing education. Students are expected to be prepared to provide safe patient care after graduation and nurse educators are working harder than ever to help get students there. Nursing school is hard and the care we provide to our patients is so complex. The role I have now in my nursing career is so rewarding because I help empower nurse educators to be the best they can be. I love to hear the success stories from the faculty I work with about how their students succeeded! It’s just like when I was teaching and that feeling of pride you feel when you see your students finally get it.

Becoming a nurse was a decision I made at the young age of 18, but it was the best career decision I could have made. Continuing my education through the years brought me to Elsevier after a great 22 years in academia. I am so proud to be a part of this organization and the nursing profession, the most trusted profession in the world! These new nurses will be the future for our profession, and I can only hope the role I play indirectly will keep our profession moving forward! So proud to be a Nurse!!!!

Over the past few years, nursing has risen to the forefront of healthcare, showcasing the indispensable role nurses play. They are the heart of healthcare delivery, providing direct patient care, advocating for patients and families, educating them, offering crucial emotional support, problem-solving, adapting to dynamic situations, collaborating with fellow healthcare professionals, conducting research for better patient outcomes, and driving policy changes that shape nursing practice daily.

Reflecting on the countless responsibilities of nurses, one can't help but recognize the profound compassion required to selflessly care for others. I vividly recall a moment during my nursing education when my instructor articulated the profound impact nurses have, stating, "there is no other profession where you get to help bring life into the world and then hold someone’s hand as they take their last breath." This sentiment has shaped my identity as a nurse and fuels my commitment to making a difference every day.

Dinez Swanson DNP, MBA, RN

Anne Chavanes MSN, RN

Nurses make the difference by offering their compassion, their advocacy, their knowledge, and, above all, their humanity—not as superheroes or otherworldly beings but as humans who have an unwavering commitment to restoring and maintaining the health of others.

Tawne Blackful MSN, RN

Nurses make a difference in any environment. Caring is the superpower they bring to every situation. Compassion is imbedded in their caring. Nurses care for people but their significance is the change they bring about that benefits everyone no matter what role they play. Nurses show up whenever and wherever they are needed from answering a patient’s call light to assisting in disaster areas. Their attitude is not only “can do” but “must do” and they exhibit this daily in their work and home lives.

Funke Omo-Osagie MS, RN

Nursing is a mission. Nurses make a difference by being involved in different aspects of caring. They are on the frontline of patient care. There is a nurse with each patient 24 hours a day who provides comfort, reassurance, and emotional support to patients and their families.

Nurses are patient advocates; we coordinate care and assist patients in navigating the complex healthcare terrain. Nurses are researchers. They contribute to healthcare advancements through research, evidence-based practice, and innovation. They actively participate in clinical trials, implement new protocols, and contribute valuable insights to improve patient outcomes.

Nurses educate and teach future nurses. We play a vital role in preparing nursing students or candidates for successful careers in healthcare by providing comprehensive education, hands-on training, and mentorship throughout their academic journey.

Nurses are healthcare leaders. They often take on leadership roles within healthcare organizations, shaping policies, protocols, and standards of care. We advocate for the advancement of the nursing profession, workforce development, and improvements in healthcare delivery systems.

Overall, nurses contribute immensely to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities through their clinical expertise, compassionate care, and commitment to promoting the health and well-being of every human being.

Julie Kelly DNP, RN

Nurses are there during the most vulnerable times of a person’s life. They don’t treat a disease but rather they care for the person’s physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual health. It is a privilege and an honor to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Hollie Moots DNP, RN, CNE, CHSE

One of the fundamental aspects of the nurse’s role is that of an advocate and I have always kept this part of my job as my guiding light. Not only do we advocate for our patients, but as educators we also advocate for our students and our profession. And, we set an example, modeling advocacy in action. Nurses break down barriers, ensure access to resources, and support autonomy in all we do. The world is stronger, safer, and healthier because of nurses.

Julie Byrne MSN, RN, CRNP

I have always loved clinical nursing – it is an incredibly powerful profession. You have the potential to positively impact others every time you walk into your practice setting. As a floor nurse, and then as a nurse practitioner, I found joy every day in caring for my patients, working with my team to figure out the best plan of care, and simply being present during the highs, lows, and everything in between.

As nurse educators, we get to impact the next generation of nurses and shape the way they view our profession by passing on the joy along with the content knowledge. Seeing students understand new concepts and incorporate them into their practice is incredibly rewarding, but hearing their excitement as they relay stories of their patient interactions and how they’ve made a difference will always be my favorite part of being a nurse educator.

Jodi Orm MSN, RN, CNE

With the variety of career opportunities now available to adult learners, we need to pave an innovative path for those seeking to become nurses. I am fortunate enough to work in an industry that provides just that - state-of-the-art evidence-based resources for nursing education. Every day I have the privilege of working with brilliant and creative nurse educators who understand how important our roles are in securing our professions future. Nursing education requires the collaboration of many nurses working in multiple areas of expertise. Therefore, it is easy to say that no matter which area nurses work in, they make a huge difference!

Staci Swim PhD, RN

From the simple task of handwashing to the intricate skills of saving life or limb, and everything in between, nurses make a difference!!

We are healers and at the same time warriors. We are both teachers and students. We are a combination of scientists and spiritualists. We experience the best and the worst in the lives of others. We are advocates and critics, at appropriate times. We are intentional and at times accidental in our actions, we are human. We are systematic and chaotic in nature. We are an authentic presence and when fitting we are imperceptible. We are so much more… There are many ways Nurses Make the Difference.

Nurses make a profound difference in the lives of patients everyday no matter how or where they have dedicated their practice. Nurses practice across many different roles in the healthcare continuum from acute care to community care to care management, education, and research, to name a few. No matter where nurses choose to practice, they embody compassion, clinical expertise, advocacy, support, education, and problem solving in their daily work. As nursing continues to evolve and bring technologies including Ai into our practice we keep our patients at the forefront.

I am proud to say I am a nurse and a nurse educator. I am able to utilize my expertise from clinical practice, education, and simulation to develop innovative products that will ensure students have the tools to be ready for practice. I hold close to my heart the value of creating safe, competent, and caring nurses to improve patient outcomes.

Cheryl Wilson DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, CNE, CHSE, Sr. Director Learning, Research, and Design

Brittny Chabalowski DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, CHSE, CNE, Nurse Educator

Every day, nurses are on the front lines, making a difference in the lives of those they care for. From holding a patient's hand during a difficult moment to administering life-saving treatments, their impact is profound. As a nurse, I'm immensely proud to be part of a profession that embodies empathy, resilience, and unwavering dedication to others. I feel proud to play a role in shaping the next generation of nurses, instilling in them the same passion and dedication that drives us. Whether it's advocating for a patient's needs or guiding a student through their journey, being a nurse educator has allowed me to make a difference in ways I never imagined. The difference we make, whether big or small, leaves a lasting imprint on the lives of our patients and their families. It's a privilege to be a nurse and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Amanda Davis PhD, APRN, FNP-C, CHSE, Nurse Educator

Nurses are the backbone of patient care delivery and are integral to improved healthcare outcomes. The nursing profession has a vast reach – nurses can be found bedside, in academic lecture halls, in research labs, in private industry, and behind podiums addressing legislators. Nurses are unwavering advocates, thought leaders, and collaborators. With the ever-evolving healthcare climate, one thing remains constant – the care provided by nurses is rooted in the most evidence-based practice. It is an honor to be a Nurse Educator. Educating the nursing leaders of the future – providing them with an enriching and safe learning environment – is an immense responsibility that I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to meet every day.