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

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

Redesigning Hospital Medicine Workflow to Optimize Safe Discharge Practices for Patients Who Leave Against Medical Advice

Alexis Munding, Shannon Moreland

37th Annual Scientific Sessions, Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2025

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A Clinic-Based Parent-Peer Support Program for Parents of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth

Heather Wensley

36th Annual Scientific Sessions, Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS), 2025

Boston, Massachusetts

Implementing ePortfolio to Evaluate Competency-Based Learning in Nursing

Drs. Wolf, Brophy, Serwetnyk, Rosario-McCabe, and Greene

2024 Forum on Digital Innovation, American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), 2024

International (virtual event)

Implementation of a Multi-Component Program to Increase Assessment, Advice, and Referral to Tobacco Dependence Treatment in a Rural Urology Clinic

Drs. Shannon Moreland and Victoria Mesko

American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) National Conference, American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP), 2024

Nashville, Tennessee

Development Of Holistic Admissions Review in a DNP Program Guided by Self-Determination Theory

Dr. Lydia Rotondo

2022 AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 2022

Naples, Florida

Supporting Patient Engagement in a Perioperative Surgical Home for Children with Chronic Complex Conditions: Development and Implementation of a P.R.E.O.P. Protocol

Drs. Robinson, Gloff, Schriefer, & Peyre

The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State (The NPA) 36th Annual Virtual Conference: Stronger Together by Staying Apart, The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State, 2020

(virtual)

Mindfulness in the Workplace: Practical Application

Cathy Peters

APNA's Webinar-on-Demand Series, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2020

(virtual)

Development of a Care Management Curriculum: An Academic-Practice Partner Collaboration

Sigma 45th Annual Biennial Convention (International), Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, 2019

Washington, District Of Columbia

How Continuing Education Can Define Your Role as a Care Manager

Dr. Daryl Sharp and Allie Duffney

University of Rochester School of Nursing Continuing Education Event, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2019

(virtual)

Experiential Learning Strategies and Assessment of Clinical Competence

Dr. Erin Baylor

Experiential Learning and OSCE Workshop, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2019

Rochester, New York

Educating Nurses on the Teach-Back Method to Improve Pediatric Readmission Rates

Luke Angell

2018 National Nurses Week Best Practice Showcase, URMC Nursing Practice, 2018

Rochester, New York

Developing & Presenting Posters for Nursing Conferences: Practical Tips for Novice to Expert Presenters

WCI Nursing Research Series, Wilmot Cancer Institute, 2018

Rochester, New York

Mindfulness and Mentoring: A Practical and Progressive Event for Nurses

Epsilon Xi Annual Conference, Epsilon Xi Chapter, Sigma and Western NY Regional APNA Chapter, 2018

Rochester, New York

Impact of Multi-Modal Training on Nurses’ Pediatric Resuscitation Skills

5th World Congress on Advanced Nursing and Quality in Healthcare, Innovinc International, 2018

Las Vegas, Nevada

Moving DNP Scholarly Projects to Publication

Drs. Rotondo, Polomano, & Christenbery

2018 Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2018

Naples, Florida

Optimizing Outcomes for Patients who Survive Critical Illness: A Feasibility Study to Evaluate the Implementation of a Music Intervention

Deb Hurley

2017 National Nurses Week Best Practice Showcase, URMC Nursing Practice, 2017

Rochester, New York

Mindfulness in the Workplace: Practical Application

Cathy Peters

APNA 31st Annual Conference, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2017

Phoenix, Arizona

Evaluating the Use of the Pediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) Score in the Pediatric Emergency Department to Determine Medical Acuity and Patient Disposition

Heather Martin, Hugh Crean

2017 National Nurses Week Best Practice Showcase, URMC Nursing Practice, 2017

Rochester, New York

Developing Posters for Professional Conferences: Practical Tips for Novice to Expert Presenters

WOCN CNY/WNY Affiliates Fall Event, The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society, 2017

Rochester, New York

Saving a Life: Results of a Pediatric Resuscitation Quality Improvement Project

Julie Gottfried, Julie Pietraszewski, Melinda Zalinski

2016 National Nurses Week Best Practice Showcase, URMC Nursing Practice, 2016

Rochester, New York

Inpatient Fall Prevention Pilot: Evaluating Available Pediatric Fall Risk Screening Tools

Patty Hall and Jeanne Kirby

2016 National Nurses Week Best Practice Showcase, URMC Nursing Practice, 2016

Rochester, New York

Transforming Flat Blogs into Interactive Discussions

Drs. Gomulak-Cavicchio and Olsan

Annual Health Professions’ Faculty Development Colloquium, University of Rochester, 2016

Rochester, New York

Can Nurses Have Fun and Successfully Prepare for Specialty Certification?

Tara Serwetnyk

2015 Association for Nursing Professional Development Annual Convention, Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD), 2015

Las Vegas, Nevada

Interprofessional Simulation Training & Experiential Program (InSTEP) and its Impact on Sepsis Management in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Julie Gottfried

2015 International Conference on Communication in Healthcare (ICCH), The Academy of Communication in Healthcare, 2015

New Orlean, Louisiana

Pediatric Rapid Response Team Outcomes: Challenges and Opportunities

Heather Martin

Research and Innovation Grand Rounds, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2015

Rochester, New York

Improving Nurse and Nurse Practitioner Communication in the Pediatric Emergency Department Through Use of a Huddle Structured with SBAR

Heather Martin

2014 Emergency Care Conference, 2014

Columbus, Ohio

Pediatric Burn Dressing Changes: What Improvements Have We Seen?

Jeanne Kirby

2014 National Nurses Week Best Practice Showcase, URMC Nursing Practice, 2014

Rochester, New York

In Their Own Words - Online Learning Experiences from Professors and Students at the University of Rochester

2014 Online Learning Symposium, University of Rochester, 2014

Rochester, New York

Successful Podium & Poster Presentations

Epsilon Xi Regional Event, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 2014

Rochester, New York

Improving Comfort & Satisfaction with Pediatric PICC Placement: A Quality Improvement Project

Cherri Gillette, RN

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

Pediatric Rapid Response Team: Implementation and Preliminary Outcomes

Quality and Safety Council Grand Rounds, Golisano Children's Hospital at URMC, 2009

Rochester, New York

National Validation of the NACNS Clinical Nurse Specialist Core Competencies: CNS Journal Club

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Journal Club, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2009

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 Activation Criteria: A Feasibility Study

Emergency Nurses' Conference Day, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2008

Rochester, New York

Asthma Monitoring and Asthma Action Plan

Teen Asthma Camp, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2007

Rochester, New York

Pediatric Rapid Response Team Overview

Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2006

Rochester, New York

Is It Okay To Draw Blood From a Peripheral IV Catheter? Bringing Evidence To The Bedside

Research Grand Rounds, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2005

Rochester, New York

Fractured Trust

Timothy E. Quill, M.D.

Schwartz Center Rounds, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2004

Rochester, New York

Handling Tracheostomy Emergencies

Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference, Children's Hospital at URMC, 2004

Rochester, New York

Nursing/Social Work Ethics Rounds: “Child Patients & Their Parents. Whose Interests are Primary?”

Nursing/Social Work Grand Rounds, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2002

Rochester, New York

Publications

• Wolf, R. R., Greene, R., Brophy, L. A., Ciurzynski, S. M., Rosario-McCabe, M., Serwetnyk, T. M., & Rotondo, L. D. (2025). Navigating a Transition to Competency-Based Nursing Education with a Systematized ePortfolio Assessment. International Journal of ePortfolio.
  
  
• Cole, L. L., Petrenko, C. L. M., Kautz-Turnbull, C., Rockhold, M. N., & Ciurzynski, S. M. (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, 48 (1), 110-121. DOI: 10.1111/acer.15230
  
  
• Mesko, V., Moreland, S., & Ciurzynski, S.M. (2024). Tackling tobacco use in rural settings: Urology providers surprised by patient reactions. Urologic Nursing, 44 (5), 211-219. DOI: https://doLorg/I0.7257/2168-Hi2i.2024.44.5.2I1
  
  
• Lent, D., Ciurzynski, S., Carey, M., Pietropaoli, A., Valcin, E., & Anstee, L. (2023). Proactive assessment and planning to address worry improves rapid response activation for nurses. Critical Care Medicine, 51 (1), 515.
  
  
• Dorman, R.J., Ciurzynski, S.M., & Wakeman, D.S. (2022). Interprofessional Pediatric Trauma Resuscitation Simulation: A Process Evaluation. Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing, 11 (2), 82-88. DOI: DOI: 10.1097/JPS.0000000000000340
  
  
• Ciurzynski, S.M., Gottfried. J.A., & Serwetnyk, T.M., Bezek. S.K., Zalewski, M., & Pietraszewski, J. (2022). Narrative Review of Training Approaches to Address Low Volume High-Risk Pediatric Resuscitation Skills. Journal of Nursing and Practice, 5 (1), 357-366. DOI: DOI: 10.36959/545/406
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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. & 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
  
  
• 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. (2007). I know what I’m doing, so who needs to spend time looking for evidence to support it?. Strong Nursing News Briefs for Nursing Practice.
  
  
• 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.