Jean Zavertnik Earns D.N.P. Degree
Jean Zavertnik, D.N.P., M.N., RN, ACNS-BC, CNE, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Adult Heath and Nursing Systems at the VCU School of Nursing, recently graduated from the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Radford University’s School of Nursing. Zavertnik selected the D.N.P. program at Radford, initiated in 2010, because it is the only nursing program in Virginia with the option to study in the area of gerontology. After four semesters, including 500 clinical residency hours focused on geriatrics and heart failure, she graduated with a concentration in adult gerontology CNS. Lauren Goodloe, Ph.D., RN, assistant dean for clinical operations at the VCU School of Nursing, provided guidance on Zavertnik’s clinicals and her final project, titled “Heart Failure and Self Care Management.”
The doctorate degree hooding ceremony was not the first time Zavertnik walked across the stage at Radford to be recognized. Thirty-three years ago, she crossed that same stage during a pinning ceremony when she earned her B.S. in nursing. Zavertnik later obtained her master’s degree from the University of South Carolina School of Nursing.
While working on her doctorate, Zavertnik was co-author of “Innovative Approach to Teaching Communication Skills to Nursing Students” published in the Journal of Nursing Education (2010) and “You Have to Have Heart” in the February 2012 issue of Senior News. She was also among 20 nurses selected from 142 applicants nationwide to be a member of the National League of Nursing Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators.
Zavertnik was recently recognized as a recipient of the 2012 Daisy Nurse Faculty Award.
- Jean Zavertnik donned her cap and gown to accept her D.N.P. degree this month from Radford University’s School of Nursing.