USF College of Nursing Paula Cairns receives Golden Key International Honour Society Award

University of South Florida College of Nursing Nurse Researcher, Paula Cairns, BSN, RN, recently received the Golden Key International Honour Society Award for demonstrating excellence in education.

Cairns received the prestigious award for her academic achievement while completing the USF Graduate Certificate in Research Methods program. She was nominated for this award by the USF Golden Key Chapter.

“I feel honored to receive this prestigious acknowledgement,” Cairns said. “This accomplishment demonstrates the capability of the mind and soul when they perform in harmony. This reassures me that I am on the right path to pursuing my PhD in Nursing, so I can empower others to transcend my own summits in nursing research.”

Golden Key International Honour Society is the world’s largest collegiate honor society. The non-profit organization has chapters at over 400 colleges and universities around the world including USF. Since founded in 1977, the organization awarded more than $8 million in scholarships and grants.

Cairns works in the Research and Innovation Department with  Cindy L. Munro, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN, Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at USF Nursing. Cairns works closely with Dr. Munro and her research on oral care interventions in mechanically ventilated adults.

“As a nurse researcher, I am mostly deployed offsite at the clinical facility to plan, coordinate, implement and manage the research study,” Cairns said “I have the honor to meet the critically ill patients and their families that are willing to volunteer their participation in research to advance science and the health of future patients.  My commitment to these patients, their families, their healthcare providers, the clinical facility, and to our research team is to conduct safe research practices with the highest level of integrity.”

Last year, Cairns was honored with the USF Nursing Research Center Outstanding Staff  Team Award for demonstrating excellence and distinction that supports the overall values and standards of USF.

For related stories on Paula Cairns visit he USF College of Nursing News Page click here.