At its annual conference in Florida last month, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) presented its prestigious Educator of the Year Award to Susan Dresser, MSN, APRN-CNS, CCRN, director of the Adult-Gerontology CNS Program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing in Oklahoma City. The award recognizes an NACNS member for outstanding professional achievement as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) educator and acknowledges his/her commitment to excellence and innovation in preparing CNSs and implementing the NACNS Statement on CNS Practice and Education.
Dresser has been a member of NACNS since 2002. As an expert in cardiovascular nursing, she enthusiastically shares her clinical and professional knowledge to engage students in dialogues that will enrich students’ learning experience. Students say she has “a passion for advancing nursing practice that shows in everything she does.”
“It is my great honor to present the Educator of the Year Award to Susan Dresser,” said NACNS Immediate Past President Anne E. Hysong, MSN, APRN, CCNS, ACNS-BC. “She is an expert in cardiovascular nursing and an educator who enthusiastically shares her clinical and professional knowledge in order to engage students in dialogues that enrich their learning experience.”
Dresser previously worked as a cardiovascular APRN-CNS in Oklahoma City. During that time she served as a clinical preceptor for a number of CNS students and on the Advanced Practice Advisory Committee for the Oklahoma Board of Nursing, on the NACNS Board of Directors from 2005-2010, and as Director-at-Large and Secretary. She currently is a member of the Legislative-Regulatory Committee for NACNS and for the Oklahoma City Affiliate.
The awards bestowed at the conference were given to:
- The CNS of the Year award was given to Lori Brittingham, MSN, RN, CNS, ACCNS-N of Reading Hospital.
- The Susan B. Davidson Award for extraordinary service to NACNS went to Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, FAAN, Director, Nursing Research and Scholarship, Texas Christian University Harris School of Nursing.
- The Brenda Lyon Leadership Award, which recognizes extraordinary leadership in service to NACNS, was given to Lisa Hopp, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Professor, Purdue University Northwest.
- The CNS Educator of the Year Award was bestowed on Susan Dresser, MSN, APRN-CNS, CCRN, director of the Adult-Gerontology CNS Program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
- The Researcher of the Year Award was given to Susan B. Fowler, PhD, RN, CNRN, FAHA, Nurse Scientist, Center for Nursing Research at Orlando Health.
- The CNS Evidence Based Practice (EBP) / Quality Improvement (QI) of the Year Award – given for the first time – to Maureen Seckel, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCNS, CCRN, FCCM, who serves in the Critical Care CNS role at Christiana Care Health System.
- The Preceptor of the Year award was given to Patricia Radovich, PhD, CNS, FCCM.
- Affiliate of the Year Award was bestowed on the California Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.
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Founded in 1995, The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists is the only association representing the clinical nurse specialist (CNS). CNSs are advanced practice registered nurses who work in a variety of specialties to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care. As leaders in health care settings, CNSs provide direct patient care and lead initiatives to improve care and clinical outcomes, and reduce costs. NACNS is dedicated to advancing CNS practice and education, removing certification and regulatory barriers, and assuring the public access to quality CNS services.