Skip to main content
Susan Ciurzynski, PhD, RN-BC, PNP, VCE, FNAP

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

(Pronouns: she/her/hers)
  • Professor, Clinical Nursing
  • Assistant Director DNP

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

Dr. Susan Ciurzynski's journey in the nursing profession spans over 30 years, during which she has served as a pediatric nurse, educator, and leader. Currently, she holds the position of Professor of Clinical Nursing at the University of Rochester School of Nursing. Her academic qualifications include a baccalaureate degree in nursing from Alfred University and master's (Care of Children and Families) and doctoral (PhD Program in Health Practice Research) degrees from the University of Rochester. Her contributions have been recognized with several awards, highlighting her outstanding achievements in research and evidence-based practice, and her commitment to improving the well-being of hospitalized children. However, it is her role as a mentor that truly brings her joy. Guiding nurses on professional development topics such as writing manuscripts for publications and developing slides and posters for professional presentations is a passion she fulfills in her current roles as Director of Clinical Scholarship and Assistant Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.


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
Most Outstanding Scholarly Practitioner Award
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2018

Education Innovation Award
Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Xi Chapter, 2018

Leadership Poster Award
Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Xi Chapter, 2018

Distinguished Scholar and Fellow (Nursing)
National Academies of Practice, 2018

National Nurses Week Best Practice Showcase 2nd Place
University of Rochester Medical Center, 2017

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

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

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

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

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

Dissertation Award
Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Xi Chapter, 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

Nursing Excellence Award
Alfred University School of Nursing, 1990

Ellen Hastings Janosik Award for Excellence in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Alfred University School of Nursing, 1990
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

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

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
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.