Shelley Nichols promoted at St. Mary's Health Care System

Shelley Nichols, MSN, RN-BC, St. Mary’s stroke coordinator since 2009, has been promoted to a new position as director of St. Mary’s Neurosciences, Clinical Education and Diabetes Education.

Nichols has more than 29 years of experience as a registered nurse and has been part of St. Mary’s nursing team for 23 of those years.

She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla., and her master’s degree in nursing from the University of West Georgia. She is board certified in professional development through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

In her new role, Nichols will be directing St. Mary’s Neuroscience Unit and Neuroscience Critical Care Unit, including the system’s nationally known stroke program, as well as St. Mary’s Clinical Education Department and Diabetes Education Program. St. Mary’s has received the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for primary stroke care continuously since 2004. In addition, the hospital’s inpatient diabetes education program received Joint Commission advanced specialty certification in 2011.

“Shelley is imminently qualified to lead these departments as we continually strive to improve the already outstanding level of care we provide to our patients,” said Nina Evans, vice president and chief nursing officer. “With her experience, knowledge, and commitment to staff education and good patient outcomes, she is the ideal person for this job.”