This week, the ACEN is expressing its gratitude for nurse educators in celebration of Nurses Week 2023!
We are honored to share these special messages from your ACEN Board of Commissioners and ACEN Directors that acknowledge you, nurse educators, for your dedication to supporting the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public.
Thank you for all that you do!

Diane Evans-Prior, DNP, RN
Chair, ACEN Board of Commissioners
While all nurses teach, only a small subset of nurses assume the responsibility for teaching the next generation of nurses – our future colleagues. At every nursing school I visit, I hear the most incredible stories from students about how faculty in their programs go above and beyond to help students meet their career goals. The work that nursing faculty do is so meaningful and long lasting.
Let’s put this into perspective – Assuming, conservatively, that a single graduate impacts anywhere from 500-1000+ patients each year (based on a 5-patient load, 3 shifts per week – knowing full well this is a very low estimation). For every cohort of 24 students, that could be anywhere from 12,500-24,000+ per year. Graduate twice a year? Double it. Worked for ten years? Factor that in. Adjust for my low estimates? Go for it! The quantified results of your contributions increase at a staggering rate.
You might not see it on a daily basis, but your efforts have a profound and long lasting impact on the health and wellness of your home community. This nurse’s week, I hope that each of you has an opportunity to reflect on the sheer scope of your influence and reflect on a job very well done. Thank you for all you do.
Happy Nurses Week
A Tribute to you for Nurses Week
Who are you?
- You are the ultimate care giver
- You are an educator and professional
- You are so much more than words can describe
- You are the guardian angel who watches over the interests of nursing education and practice.
Thank you for all that you are and do to improve and guard societal health.

Robert A. Sintich, EdD
Public Representative, ACEN Board of Commissioners

Carolyn Jo McCormies, MS, RN, APRN, FNP-BC
Nursing Service Representative, ACEN Board of Commissioners
Happy Nurses Week to the remarkable and dedicated nurses who do so much to touch the lives of those you serve. I am honored to stand among your ranks.
“Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.” — Judy Blume
Thank you!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Your contribution to the nursing profession through educating the current and future generations of nurses is invaluable. Every day your dedication to students and the programs that serve them, ensure we will have caring, compassionate and competent nurses to care for our patients. Without extraordinary nurse educators like you, we would not have the valued and trusted nursing profession we have now. We owe it all to you.
HAPPY NURSES WEEK!

Nancy Phoenix Bittner, PhD, RN
Nursing Education Representative, ACEN Board of Commissioners

Barry D. Goldstein, PhD
Public Representative/Treasurer, ACEN Board of Commissioners
Thank you for all you do for the betterment of your patients.
Thank you all for the incredibly important work you do every day. Your efforts, tireless dedication, and commitment to nursing education are inspiring and appreciated. Happy Nurses Week !!
“As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul and body of our patients, their families and ourselves. They may not remember your name but they will never forget the way you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

Melissa Tillson, PhD, RN
Director, ACEN

Suzette Farmer, PhD, RN
Director, ACEN
Happy Nurses Week and thank you for all you do!
It has been my distinct honor and privilege to be associated with all of you. I appreciate all you do as nurse educators to ensure that your program graduates are prepared for practice and ready to face the future in our evolving profession. Thank you for your sacrifices and commitment to the greater good through these challenging times.
I’d also like to give a special thank you to those of you who are willing to share your time and talents with the ACEN, by serving as peer evaluators. The ACEN could not do its important work without you.
Thank you!
“Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses. We must be learning all of our lives.” — Florence Nightingale
As nurse educators, we help our students to learn the art of nursing. To be a good nurse educator, we must continue learning ourselves. Thank you for all that you do to make nursing education the best that it can be!!

Nell Ard, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF
Interim Chief Executive Officer, ACEN