Nurse of the year
University alumna honored as nurse of year by Nemours
2:54 p.m., Jan. 7, 2013--University of Delaware alumna Norine Watson has been selected as the 2012 Nurse of the Year by the Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children.
Watson, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing at UD in 1993 and 1997, is director of nursing excellence at the hospital.
Honors Stories
National Medal of Science
Warren Award
In this role, she oversees the nursing professional development team, which includes nurse clinicians, clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse educators, a healing touch practitioner, and a lactation consultant.
Her team plans and implements continuing education programs and coordinates nursing clinical experiences.
“Norine embodies excellence in nursing in every aspect of her professional activities,” said chief nurse executive Louanne Stratton. “She builds trust and promotes professional development in every individual and team with whom she has contact. She is a visionary who never takes her eyes and heart off the prize. Norine is a natural-born teacher who leads with great enthusiasm and solid preparation, resulting in full group engagement.”
According to Stratton, Watson’s influence has resulted in increases in nursing satisfaction, educational preparation, national professional certification; engagement in exemplary practice, and, most important, designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a magnet hospital.
“There are many, many great nurses at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children,” says Watson, “and it’s a privilege to practice nursing here with them. In November, we achieved magnet designation, which means that we are ranked among the best nursing services in the country. To earn that designation, the entire organization must be committed to providing the very best care and service.”
Watson served as president of the Delaware Nurses Association from 2008-10 and was a member of the executive board from 2007-11. She has been a magnet appraiser for the American Nurses Credentialing Center since 2007.
Article by Diane Kukich