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Susan Ciurzynski, PhD, RN-BC, PNP, VCE, FNAP

Susan Ciurzynski, PhD, RN-BC, PNP, VCE, FNAP

  • Professor, Clinical Nursing

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Practice Research, 2011. University of Rochester School of Nursing. Rochester, NY
  • Masters in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Care of Children/Families), 1997. University of Rochester School of Nursing. Rochester, NY
  • BS in Nursing, 1990. Alfred University School of Nursing. Alfred, NY

Bio

Susan Ciurzynski earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Alfred University and master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Rochester. She brings nearly 30 years of experience to her role as professor of clinical nursing and director of the University of Rochester School of Nursing’s Center for Lifelong Learning. Ciurzynski mentors adult learners in a variety of settings and is a leader in designing and presenting educational offerings using interactive and innovative teaching methods. She was instrumental in the development and national rollout of a comprehensive online Care Management Education program, the first of its kind to be offered by a university.

As a senior advanced practice registered nurse, Ciurzynski assists clinicians with measuring process and outcome measures for a variety of clinical programs. Her multi-modal approach for helping organizations improve specialty certification rates and addressing compassion fatigue are among several of her national contributions.

A nationally certified professional development specialist, Ciurzynski assists interprofessional teams to provide continuing education for nurses and other health care team members. She is an integral member of the Rochester Academy of Medicine which addresses the ongoing education needs of interprofessional clinicians across New York State.

She serves as mentor champion of the local chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nurses, as well as for faculty seeking clinical appointment or promotion. She is the recipient of several awards for outstanding achievements in education/mentoring, research and evidence-based practice, and for improving the well-being of hospitalized children.


Director of the Center for Lifelong Learning, University of Rochester School of Nursing (Continuing Education), Rochester, NY, US. 9/2011 - Current

Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist, University of Rochester Medical Center (Pediatrics), Rochester, NY, US. 1/2008 - Current

Senior Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong (Pediatric Nursing Service), Rochester, NY, US. 1/2008 - Current

Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, University of Rochester School of Nursing (Strategic Planning and Evaluation of Health Delivery Systems), Rochester, NY, US. 7/2003 - Current

Assistant Director Clinical Nursing Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center (Nursing Research/Evidence-Based Practice), Rochester, NY, US. 6/2010 - 8/2011

Service Educator, University of Rochester Medical Center (Pediatrics), Rochester, NY, US. 9/2005 - 8/2011

Advanced Practice Nurse/Clinical Nurse Specialist, University of Rochester Medical Center (Pediatrics/Intermediate Care), Rochester, NY, US. 1/2001 - 12/2007

Clinical Instructor, Monroe Community College (Acute Pediatrics), Rochester, NY, US. 8/2000 - 6/2001

Clinical Instructor, State University of New York at Buffalo (Acute Pediatrics & Community Pediatrics), Buffalo, NY, US. 1/2000 - 5/2001

Clinical Instructor, Florida State University (Acute Pediatrics), Tallahassee, FL, US. 8/1999 - 9/1999

Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator, Wolfson Children's Hospital (Pediatric Intensive Care), Jacksonville, FL, US. 7/1997 - 9/1999

Clinical Nurse Leader/Staff Nurse, University of Rochester Medical Center (Pediatric Intensive Care), Rochester, NY, US. 8/1991 - 9/1997

Staff Nurse, Medical College of Virginia Hospitals (Pediatrics/Neonatal Intensive Care), Richmond, VA, US. 6/1990 - 6/1991
Outstanding Contribution Award
Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Xi Chapter, 2016

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2015

Outstanding Contribution Award
Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Xi Chapter, 2014

Master Mentor
UR Mentor Program, University of Rochester, 2014

Volunteer of the Year Award
Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Xi Chapter, 2013

Dr. Jeremy A. Klainer Endowed Dean’s Discretionary Award ($7250) in Nursing
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2013

Ethicon’s Educational Grant #131680 (~$1000): Wound Closure: Suturing for the Advanced Practitioner
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2012

Dissertation Award
Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Xi Chapter, 2011

Outstanding Achievement in Research & Evidence-Based Practice Award
University of Rochester Medical Center, 2011

The Katharine Donohoe Scholarly Practitioner Award
University of Rochester Medical Center, 2010

2009 Research Award ($2500) Vital Signs Before Pediatric Cardiac Arrest
Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Xi Chapter, 2009
Improving Comfort & Satisfaction with Pediatric PICC Placement: A Quality Improvement Project
Annual Scientific Meeting, Association for Vascular Access, 2012
San Antonio, Texas

Engagement at Every Level: Region 11 Conference Honoring Epsilon Xi's 30th Anniversary
Annual Leadership Forum, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 2012
Indianapolis, Indiana

Best Practice Initiatives Among Clinical Nurse Specialists and Unit Educators Within a Children's Hospital
Best Practice Showcase, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2010
Rochester, New York

An Exploratory Study of Vital Signs Preceding Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Arrest
Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2010
Rochester, New York

An Exploratory Study of Vital Signs Preceding Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Arrest
21st Annual Scientific Session, Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2009
Boston, Massachusetts

Pediatric Rapid Response Team Overview
Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2006
Rochester, New York
Ciurzynski, S.M., Gottfried, J.A., Pietraszewski, J., & Zalewski, M. (2017). Impact of Training Frequency on Nurses' Pediatric Resuscitation Skills. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 33 (5), E1-E7. PMID: 28891888 DOI: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000386

Gaisser D, Ciurzynski SM (2016). Reaching for the stars: RN to BSN. Nursing 2016, 46 (1), 18-20.

Sacco, T.L., Ciurzynski, S.M., Harvey, M.E., & Ingersoll, G.L. (2015). Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among critical care nurses. Critical Care Nurse, 35 (4), 32-42.

Ciurzynski, S.M. & Serwetnyk, T.M. (2015). Increasing Nurse Certification Rates Using a Multimodal Approach. Journal of Nursing Administration, 45 (4), 226-233. PMID: 25803805 DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000189

Martin H, Ciurzynski S. (2015). Situation, background, assessment, and recommendation-guided huddles improve communication and teamwork in the emergency department. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 41, 484-488.

Ciurzynski, S.M. (2014). Can presentation skills be taught?. STTI's Leader Lines: The newsletter for chapter leaders.

Ciurzynski, S.M., Ingersoll, G.L., Xue, Y., D’Angio, C.T., Chen, D., Parshuram, C. (2011). Cardiac arrest in young infants: A study of antecedent vital signs.. Completed manuscript submission requirements for the American Heart Association's Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation (National Registry of CPR) Investigators..

Rhee, H., Belyea, M.J., Ciurzynski, S., & Brasch, J. (2009). Barriers to asthma self-management in adolescents: Relationships to psychosocial factors. Pediatric Pulmonology, 44 (2), 183-191. PMID: 19142893 PMCID: PMC2692882 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.20972

Rhee, H., Ciurzynski, S.M., & Yoos, H.L. (2008). Perils and pitfalls of community-based group interventions for adolescents: Lessons learned from an adolescent asthma camp study. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 31 (3), 122-135.

Ciurzynski, S.M. (1997). Parental role change and negative child behaviors following critical care hospitalization. Unpublished Master's Thesis, University of Rochester School of Nursing.
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