Illinois 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award Winner Highlight: Carrie Quinn
Carrie Quinn is a Staff Nurse for Children’s Advocate Hospital. As a driving force for leadership in neonatal care, she has been nominated for the class of 2023 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award. Designed to highlight young nurses that are making a lasting difference in the healthcare industry, this award celebrates those who shape the future of nursing.
Carrie Quinn: A Visionary Leader Driving Nursing Excellence in Neonatal Care
In the fast-paced world of neonatal intensive care, nurses like Carrie Quinn shine as beacons of inspiration and leadership. Carrie’s impact extends beyond her clinical role as a staff nurse in the Neonatal ICU at Advocate Children’s Hospital (ACH). With a strong passion for nursing and a dedication to improving patient care, Carrie has taken on various leadership positions and initiatives both within her unit and across the hospital.
Leading the Way in Shared Governance
Carrie is a dynamic clinical nurse with five years of experience, but her impact reaches beyond the bedside. As the ACH Shared Governance (SG) Chair, Carrie serves as the voice for over 1,000 clinical nurses at ACH. She leads and influences three site councils in this role, focusing on professional development, evidence-based practice, and research. Carrie’s leadership has been instrumental in promoting certification and the clinical ladder program, driving the implementation of evidence-based practice, and developing strategies for conference attendance and grant support. She also plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration through her leadership of a Housewide Council with the Chief Nurse.
Empowering Unit Leaders and Building Future Leaders
Recognizing the importance of strong leadership within nursing units, Carrie hosted quarterly leadership-building days for unit chairs. Her commitment to developing unit leaders and building their skills is evident in her role as a mentor and chairperson. Carrie’s dedication and engagement led to her nomination and participation in the Advocate Emerging Leaders program, further honing her leadership capabilities.
Excellence in Practice and Patient Safety
Carrie’s dedication to providing safe and high-quality care is exemplified through her role as co-chair of the NICU Safety Committee. Monitoring trends and identifying areas for improvement, she has played a critical role in re-educating staff on essential practices such as CHG bathing, transfusion guidelines, and vital signs. During the surge in pediatric patients, Carrie’s expertise was crucial in determining pre-NICU testing and ensuring the safe transfer of patients. She actively participates in evidence-based practice projects related to neonatal NG placement verification and neonatal codes, further enhancing patient care outcomes.
Contributing to the Nursing Community
Carrie’s commitment to the nursing profession extends beyond the hospital walls. She actively participates in fundraising for organizations such as the March of Dimes, collects items for Project Cure, and supports medical supply donations to third-world countries, women, and animal shelters. Carrie’s involvement in community affairs includes highlighting nurses on social media to foster nursing retention and advocacy. Additionally, she volunteers her time and efforts in raising funds for the Children’s Hospital Inquiry Committee for research, acts as a unit Green Advocate, and supports clean stream recycling.
Carrie Quinn: Inspiring Excellence in Neonatal Nursing Through Visionary Leadership
Carrie Quinn’s remarkable contributions as a visionary nursing leader in neonatal care inspire all. Her dedication to advancing nursing excellence through shared governance, leadership development, evidence-based practice, and patient safety has profoundly impacted the Neonatal ICU at ACH and the nursing community as a whole. Carrie’s passion, compassion, and unwavering commitment to neonatal nursing make her a deserving recipient of recognition such as the 40 under 40 award. Her exceptional leadership qualities and dedication to improving patient outcomes continue to shape the field of neonatal nursing and set an example for others to follow.
Congratulations to Carrie Quinn and Advocate Children’s Hospital for this prestigious honor! The Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Award for Emerging Nurse Leaders is proven to open career doors for its recipients. INF is proud to celebrate nurses like Carrie, who have made a lasting impact in the healthcare industry.
For more information on the INF 40 Under 40 Award Ceremony, click this link.
Illinois Nurses Foundation: Support Education, Advocation, and Recognition for Nurses
The Illinois Nurses Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports nurses through various programs, empowering them, promoting excellence, and advancing the nursing profession while also recognizing and celebrating the remarkable achievements of young nurses through the INF 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award, highlighting their talent and potential for the field’s growth and evolution. Donate to INF today, and you can help empower nurses and improve healthcare!