I have been privileged to work with Constance in a couple of different roles over the last 5+ years, and I have seen how excellent she is in her education. In my current role, she has been my mentor, and she has done more than almost anyone else to help me learn my position. She has been very patient with all the questions I have had and answered questions I didn’t know to even ask. She creates little treats for multiple holidays that she gives to those she works with regularly, helping to build a sense of team with those she works closest with.

I enjoy working with her on projects that overlap our two specialties. She never ceases to impress me with her creative escape rooms and the multiple ways she has figured out how to present education. Constance works tirelessly to make sure that the education that she provides is current and evidence-based. Every piece of education she provides has the sources listed, showing that anything she teaches is based on current best practices. There have been facilities in the past that had different outdated practices, and she has had to overcome older biases and help them improve their practice over time. Students keep her handouts and now say, “Well, Constance said "X" so it must be true.” Constance also keeps up to date by attending multiple conferences each year, paying out of pocket for some.

She continues with her own education, including going back to school a few years ago, getting her DNP, and presenting her project at a national conference. How many people can have DNP, MN, MSHS, NNP-BC, RNC-NIC, and NPD-BC after their name? I have also been impressed with the time and energy she spends researching upcoming educational requests before they even come up on the Steering Committee. Her classes overlap multiple specialties, and she teaches classes for the ED, Peds, and NICU and helps with any project needing her expertise.

Constance is committed to providing excellent, current education to staff, which allows them to provide the care necessary to improve the lives of many of the youngest patients in our division. She researches education and improves her own skills while also leading change. When she teaches, I have heard others remark on how she keeps her classes precisely on time while providing consistent education throughout the division. I believe that Constance Hymas exemplifies the qualities of an Extraordinary Clinical Nurse Educator.