Dr. Michele Heston Receives Special Certification
Dr. Michele Heston instructs nursing assistant students in patient care using a patient simulator.
Dr. Michele Heston, director, South Florida Community College Nursing Education, recently earned the designation Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) after completing a rigorous certification examination administered by the National League for Nursing.
The certification establishes nursing education as a specialty area of practice and creates a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. It communicates to students, peers, and the academic and health care communities that the highest standards of excellence are being met within a program.
“Our nursing program at SFCC is dedicated to lifelong learning, and we model that to our students by seeking to promote current quality education,” Dr. Heston said. “After much encouragement from some of my peers in nursing education, I decided to go forward with this certification not only for my own benefit, but to also show our students that the faculty is also dedicated to continuing our own education as well.”
“When a nursing educator receives the certification, it shows that they know everything they need to know about nursing education,” said Rebecca Sroda, associate dean, Allied Health. “Having instructors with the certification proves the expertise, commitment, and credentials of the instructors in our program, which are things all students should look for when choosing any educational program.”
“The test is extremely challenging and requires countless hours of preparation and study. Anyone who wants this certification has to have a strong desire to earn it, and Michele has this desire as well as a passion for nursing education,” Sroda said.
Currently, four other SFCC nursing faculty members are preparing to test for the certification.
Congratulations!
Congratulations, Michele!