Dr. Audrey Nelson Selected as USF Nursing Facebook Fan of the Month – June 2011

Congratulations to Audrey Nelson, PhD, RN, FAAN, ’77! Dr. Nelson posted a photo to the official Facebook page of the University of South Florida College of Nursing of her USF nursing pinning ceremony from 1977 and was selected as the June 2011 USF College of Nursing Facebook FAN OF THE MONTH!

Dr. Nelson graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of South Florida in 1977. Since then, Dr. Nelson has led an exemplary career path which began as a Psychiatric Staff Nurse in 1977, and has led to her most recent post as the Associate Chief of Nursing Service for Research at the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital as well as the Director of the Patient Safety Center of Inquiry in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Nelson also holds several academic appointments at the University of South Florida.  She is an Associate Director of Clinical Research at the College of Nursing and a Research Professor in the College of Nursing as well as the College of Public Health.

For more than two decades Dr. Nelson has magnified the scope of practice for patient safety and rehabilitation nursing, been an advocate for the rights and needs of persons with disabilities, and instilled nurses with pride in their work. In 2002, her research funding represented one third or over $9 million of the Tampa Veterans Administration Medical Center hospital’s research funding base. This was the first time in the Veterans Administration history that a nurse was the highest funded investigator at a medical center.

Dr. Nelson is nationally recognized and well respected for her expertise in patient safety and research. This credibility extends beyond a single hospital, the Veterans Administration, and nursing.

Post your photo to the USF College of Nursing Facebook page wall showing your BullNurse spirit and you could be selected as the FAN OF THE MONTH! The winning photo will be featured on the USF College of Nursing Facebook page for the duration of the month. The contest is open to everyone! Visit www.facebook.com/Nursing.USFHealth to post your favorite BullNurse spirit photo today!