In a significant recognition of their educational efforts, College of Southern Maryland (CSM) nursing professors Kathy Parsons and Lisa Gonzalez have recently been awarded the Academic Nurse Educator Certification Award. This prestigious award, bestowed by Maryland’s Nurse Support Program II (NSP II), highlights their commitment to leadership in nursing education and their achievement of the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential.
The CNE certification is a rigorous process that requires faculty members to demonstrate a high level of scholarship and expertise in teaching and inquiry. It is designed to ensure that educators meet the highest standards of excellence in nursing education, benefiting both their students and the broader academic and health care communities.
Both Parsons and Gonzalez have shown dedication to enhancing their teaching methodologies and maintaining their credentials. The award includes a $5,000 prize, which Gonzalez plans to utilize towards her ongoing Ph.D. in Nursing Education, expected to be completed in 2025. She emphasized the importance of the PhD coursework and CNE certification in improving her ability to engage students and develop curricula that align with progressive educational standards.
Parsons, on the other hand, highlighted how maintaining the CNE certification has kept her abreast of crucial topics and core competencies necessary for her role. Since returning to CSM in 2005, where she initially began her own nursing education, Parsons has been inspired to give back to the community that shaped her career.
“This is where I got my start and was first inspired by dedicated nursing faculty,” Parsons said. “After functioning in many different roles in my nursing career, I returned to CSM to teach in the RN program and hopefully be that dedicated and caring faculty member who inspires her nursing students.”
This recognition from NSP II not only underscores the personal achievements of Parsons and Gonzalez but also shines a light on the quality of education provided at CSM. Their commitment to excellence ensures that the next generation of nurses is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the ever-evolving healthcare environment.