As a Nursing Professional Development Practitioner and Nurse Residency Coordinator for Chester County Hospital, Rebecca fosters an environment of learning, professional growth, and collaboration. Rebecca plays a pivotal role in onboarding and supporting new nurses, ensuring they receive structured orientation and mentorship. She develops individualized education plans to guide new hires through their transition into clinical roles, building their confidence and competence. She is a key member of the Nursing Professional Development team in implementing core nursing and ancillary onboarding programs. She also provides ongoing education and unit-based servicing, keeping staff up to date with the latest evidence-based practices.

Her expertise and leadership in American Heart Association (AHA) programs, including Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training, have significantly strengthened resuscitation preparedness and emergency response competency across multiple units. Her ability to teach life-saving skills with clarity and hands-on application ensures that all nurses, including those caring for pediatric patients, are well-prepared for high-stakes situations. Rebecca is known for her ability to pivot seamlessly to address dynamic priorities and goals. Whether implementing new educational initiatives, adjusting training based on regulatory changes, or responding to immediate staff development needs, she adapts with efficiency and composure.

Her leadership was instrumental in the entity-wide rollout of Kangaroo pumps, where she developed training strategies, coordinated the members of the education team in collaboration, conducted hands-on education, and provided continuous support to ensure successful implementation. Her ability to communicate concisely and clearly is evident in all of her work. As a champion of lifelong learning, Rebecca serves as a role model for professional growth, inspiring those around her to continuously improve. She integrates innovative learning modalities, including e-learning technology and hands-on simulations, making training sessions engaging and effective. Her creativity and enthusiasm bring energy to every learning opportunity, fostering a culture of curiosity and clinical excellence.

Rebecca is also deeply committed to competency program planning and implementation, such as clinical emergencies, ensuring that nurses remain proficient and aligned with the highest standards of care. She collaborates with leadership and frontline staff to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance overall team performance. In addition to her role in onboarding and competency development, Rebecca plays a role in preceptor development programs, ensuring that experienced nurses are equipped with the skills necessary to mentor and support new staff effectively. She is a contributor and presenter to the CCH preceptor Workshop, providing guidance on adult learning principles and learning styles to strengthen the mentorship culture within the organization. Her ability to empower preceptors, orientees, and nurse residents enhances overall nurse retention and clinical excellence.

Rebecca’s commitment to advancing nursing education extends beyond her institution. She was honored as a podium presenter at the Vizient Nurse Residency Conference, where she shared insights and best practices in early engagement with nursing students. She also works collaboratively with other Nurse Residency Coordinators across the health system, supporting a comprehensive, system-wide residency program that ensures a seamless transition for new graduate nurses into clinical practice. Her dedication to expanding residency support across multiple facilities speaks to her commitment to strengthening the nursing workforce at a larger scale.

Most recently, Rebecca will be taking on a new leadership role in supporting and leading the CCH Extern Educational Program, which supports nursing students as they transition from academic learning to hands-on clinical practice. Through this initiative, she is supporting a structured, high-quality educational experience for future nurses, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel in the profession. Her ability to inspire and prepare the next generation of nurses is a testament to her dedication to lifelong learning and professional development.

As a nursing professional development practitioner, evaluation of outcomes and data is integrated into many aspects of her work. Examples of this include her assessment of the outcomes for ACLS and developing an action plan for implementing recommendations from learner feedback from the prior year, and regularly assessing the outcomes of the Kangaroo equipment education project.

She is also a key contributor in providing actionable feedback in all initiatives in which she is engaged. Rebecca’s unwavering support for her colleagues sets her apart. She is a trusted mentor and advocate, always ready to lend a helping hand or step in when challenges arise. She cultivates strong working relationships, reinforcing teamwork and collaboration across disciplines. She is clearly compassionate and committed to the success of her orientees, nurse residents, her colleagues, and other learners that she supports. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly nominate Rebecca Murphy, MSN, RN, for the DAISY Nurse Educator Award. Her passion for teaching, leadership in competency development, national contributions to nursing education, and dedication to supporting both current and future nurses make her truly deserving of this recognition.