2014-2015 Innovations Magazine

i nnovations • 29 AlUMNI pROFIlES— R.N. TO b.S.N. NURSINg pROgRAM Forgione, who graduated from the R.N. to B.S.N. program in 2008, exemplifies the core values of innovation, creativity, and student-centered education—a fact that was evidenced in 2013 when she received the prestigious College of Nursing Distin- guished Alumni Award. For example, she was a key leader in the development and implementation of the nursing Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) partnership between NSU and the Lee Memorial Hospital Sys- tem (LMHS). This initiative began in 2010 based on the need to improve clinical nursing education for baccalaureate students and to provide a more consistent practice environment for nurs- ing students that integrated the mission and values of both NSU and the LMHS. Forgione completed extensive research related to this new model of student education that provided the basis of the DEU’s development. This initiative serves as an excellent example of her commitment to the nursing profession, the community, and nursing education. Since its inception, the DEU has helped im- prove quality care for patients—resulting in improved patient sat- isfaction scores—and has provided positive feedback from students, faculty members, and staff nurses. She is currently enrolled as a second-year student in the CON Master of Science in Nursing program pursuing a concentration in health systems leadership. “One of the most important things I learned as a B.S.N. student was how all the puzzle pieces fit together and understanding the reasoning and evidence that support what we do as nurses every day,” she said. Forgione believes that today’s nurses are the drivers and lead- ers at all levels of health care change and that knowledge related to business, cost, and legislative changes is imperative for every patient-care decision a nurse makes. She also expressed the importance of working together for a common purpose and the need to have an underlying passion for everything we do. Her concluding message? “Do the right thing for the right rea- son for the good of the patient and you can never go wrong.” A NN F ORGIONE ( RIGHT ) RECEIVING AN AWARD FROM D R . R UTHERFORD . “Do the right thing for the right reason for the good of the patient and you can never go wrong.” ANN FORGIONE, B.S.N.