A look at May 2024 Winner for the Excellence in Nursing Education Award
Cynthia Onstott, RN, Curriculum Development Specialist, Clinical Education
(summary of her nomination) During new employee orientation, Cynthia advocates for nurses progressing up the clinical ladder at UAMS and offers real-life insights into the versatility of the nursing profession. As an educational specialist, she is responsible for assessing, developing, and evaluating clinical training programs, including integrating theory, evidence-based practice, and research into course offerings. She facilitates Interprofessional Clinical Orientation where content experts teach new hires about UAMS’s Mission and Core Values and a multitude of other key components to support clinical practice. Since 2023, we have seen 1286 new employees complete Interprofessional Clinical Orientation, and 328 nurses completed the all-day Nursing Skills session. Comments from those she educates include:
“Cynthia has done a remarkable job at making me feel comfortable in my position, scope of practice and skills. I’ve been able to experience, firsthand, how compassionate she is when it comes to nursing and teaching nurses that this is a “day at a time” journey…. Her passion, ability to motivate others, and commitment to teaching is inspiring.”
Cynthia is one of the most dedicated nurses in the UAMS Health System, and her career exemplifies the saying, “If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” Her nursing career began in 1990 when she graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), then obtaining an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) after working as an LPN for seven years. She then received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) almost twenty years later. She expects to graduate in December 2024 with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Western Governors University. Her progression through the nursing career and commitment to continually learning herself has enriched her ability to impact nursing care through education, from the COVID-19 triage unit where she provided direct care and patient education and helped develop process improvement practices, to developing the Nursing Blended Model of care and the LPN IV medication administration course. Congratulations, Cythnia!
The Excellence in Nursing Education Award recognizes the work of outstanding nurses who show exceptional skill, innovation, and effectiveness in promoting education for nurses. This outstanding nurse:
- Serves as a role model/mentor by using best practices and incorporating an evidence-based approach in teaching
- Facilitates communication regarding practice changes
- Generously shares their experience and knowledge
- Passionate about helping others be the best UAMS nurse they can be
- Consistently provides education to patients and/or families
- Inspires novice and seasoned nurses to pursue additional degrees/continued education, and specialties expertise
Nomination Requirements
- Nominee must be a registered nurse.
- Provides nursing/health education for patient and/or family, nurses and/or unit/area/clinic staff. Nominee does not have to be in a formal ‘educator’ role.
Nomination Process
- Complete online application below in its entirety relating to the nurse you are nominating. If you have any supportive information in the area provided in the nomination form, please attach it. NOTE: Nominations will not be accepted after the closing date.
- The nominator may request, from the nominee, evidence of the nursing education provided to submit along with the application. This could include class evaluations, preceptor evaluations, emails, certificate of appreciation, CEUs of course taught, etc.
Selection Process
- Nominations, that meet criteria, will be blinded and reviewed by the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee will select winners based only on the information provided in the nomination and supportive information.
- Nominees who meet the criteria, as well as the selected winner, will be celebrated during annual Professional Nursing Awards ceremony.
Click here to view past nomination example.
Award nominations are closed at this time. Check back the first part of 2025.