A look at May 2025 Winner for the Excellence in Nursing Education Award
2025 Excellence in Nursing Education Winner: Nathan Ernst, RN, from the Emergency Department
Nathan Ernst, RN, Emergency Department
(summary of her nomination) Nathan recognized a need to address patients with difficult peripheral venous access who were either experiencing delays in care or were having central lines placed, which carry greater risk for infection. He developed and implemented a formal ultrasound IV course, partnering with leadership to make it accessible to bedside nurses across all shifts. The course includes a didactic presentation using evidence-based and best practice guidelines. Following the didactic portion, nurses immediately transition into hands-on learning, guided closely by the instructor. He continues to offer these sessions on a recurring basis to accommodate staff working day, evening, and night shifts.
The impact Nathan’s role in educating RNs about ultrasound guided PIV has been remarkable. The comfort and competence in placing ultrasound-guided IVs by ED RNs has dramatically increased and has led to decreased delays in delivering IV medications and fluids, and has reduced the need for central line placement. Nathan also mentors those who are applying these new skills at the bedside and continues to guide them in real time, supporting clinical development and promoting patient and family confidence. Nathan leads by example and promotes a culture of continuous learning, often being the person who initiates meaningful conversations with stakeholders to make improvements possible.
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.
Come back in January of 2026.