PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – When Nicole George ‘08, MSN, RN-BC, CMSRN, NE-BC, began her nursing career in 2008, she never dreamed she would be working during a global pandemic. But that is the reality for the former Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) student. Not only is she a proud member of the nursing community during this difficult time in history, but she has risen to the top and was recently honored as one of the best.
For her outstanding work as assistant director (AD) for the Magnet Recognition Program at the American Nurses Association, George was named a “2021 Young Professional Voice” by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL). The award is given annually to nurse leaders who exhibit significant potential as healthcare leaders, demonstrate exemplary leadership within their organization and the nursing profession, and embody innovation, influence, and inclusion.
George’s motivation to persevere in the challenging nursing industry comes from her drive to be successful and make a difference in patients’ lives.
“I am blessed with the opportunity to serve as one of the ADs of the Magnet Recognition Program,” she said. “I am afforded the opportunity to communicate with Chief Nurses from hospitals from around the country and globe on nursing, and provide guidance on our various standards.”
A colleague, who has been a nurse for more than 30 years, nominated George for the award because of the outstanding work she does to influence the profession.
“I believe she felt that, as a woman of color, I needed to be recognized for the job I am doing with a national and international-facing career,” George said. “She is proud of what I have become as a PVAMU graduate.”
In her role as an assistant director, George works with chief nursing officers and other executive-level nursing leaders from hospitals across 47 states and around the world in places like Brazil, Finland, and Australia. She facilitates conversations about nursing organizational reporting structures, provides guidance on the Magnet Recognition Program, which honors nurses for their commitment to excellence in health care, and she leads a team of ten analysts.
The pandemic brings new challenges to George’s role.
“Since COVID-19, we have been providing support to organizations that are undergoing surges in admissions,” she said. “To hear the stories from nurse leaders at hospitals from across the U.S. has been both heartbreaking and awe-inspiring. The nursing profession is being tested in a way we have never been tested before.”
George is grateful to PVAMU for launching her nursing career. “I earned an athletic scholarship to play volleyball and was eager to become a Panther,” she said.
During her time as an undergraduate, George knew that nursing was the right path for her because of the endless, diverse opportunities for advancement. After earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2008, George began her career in a medical-surgical setting and then transitioned to a position in a cardiovascular stepdown unit. She was a preceptor in both positions, training new registered nurses, and also a charge nurse. Determined to continue her education, George attended Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she earned a master’s degree in nursing. From there, she was a clinical nursing educator, responsible for educating registered nurses on three medical-telemetry units.
Looking toward the future, George hopes to complete her Ph.D. studies and be inducted as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.
“A dream job would be to give back to historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) schools of nursing, whether that is through philanthropy, teaching, or being a mentor for the students,” she said. “I recently had the opportunity to talk virtually to [PVAMU College of Nursing] students who are about halfway through the program and truly provide them with words of encouragement.”
Throughout her career, George says the perseverance of nurses is something that stands out to her. Receiving the “Young Professional Voice” award reinforces the value of what she does each day at work.
“I am very humbled by this recognition and remain humble and dedicated to this profession of nursing.”
By Angie Frederickson
-PVAMU-