Phone: (585) 276-6068
Office: HWH 3w108
Office Hours:
Virtual Office Hours:

Summer: Wednesdays 7-9 pm EST
May 22nd through August 14th https://rochester.zoom.us/j/99192275479

Fall: Sundays 7-9 pm EST
August 25th through December 8th https://rochester.zoom.us/j/94326045638
Email: Susan Ciurzynski

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.

Professional Experience

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

Awards

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

Presentations

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

Publications

Lynn L. Cole, Christie L. M. Petrenko, Carson Kautz‐Turnbull, Madeline N. Rockhold, Susan M. Ciurzynski (2024). Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (ECHO FASD): Tele‐mentoring program to increase healthcare capacity for FASD diagnosis. Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research. DOI: 10.1111/acer.15230
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.
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.
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. (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.