We’ve all heard the saying, “Hard work pays off.” That old adage certainly rings true for several nurses at Texas Children’s Hospital. On May 16, nine nursing leaders received their Doctor of Nursing Practice during the Cizik School of Nursing Commencement held at the Smart Financial Center in Sugar Land.
The honorees included:
- Mary Jo Andre, Chief Nursing Officer
- Jackie Ward, Associate Chief Nursing Officer
- Tarra Christopher, Director of Nursing, Emergency Center
- Kim Clark, Patient Care Manager – Cancer Center
- Sara Dean, Nurse Practitioner – Pavilion for Women
- Shannon Holland, Director of Nursing – Critical Care
- Joy Harrison, Assistant Director – Texas Children’s Pediatrics
- Vanessa Kastner, Nurse Practitioner – NICU
- Jennifer Sanders, Assistant Vice President – Nursing
Three years ago, these nurses embarked on a journey together when they enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program, a clinical doctoral program that provides advanced education in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, systems leadership and other key areas. Nurses who successfully earn their DNP have completed the highest level of training in nursing practice.
“Texas Children’s Hospital invests heavily in our nurses through various professional advancement and educational opportunities like this one,” said CNO Mary Jo Andre. “I am so grateful to share this journey with my nursing colleagues, and accomplishing this milestone together, made it even more meaningful.”
Next month, Connect will feature an article highlighting our nurses’ DNP journey, the invaluable lessons they learned along the way, and how the support from Texas Children’s made it possible for them to achieve this milestone, which will impact the care and outcomes we deliver to our patients and their families.