INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Michelle Regan

For Michelle Regan, nursing began as a calling rooted in compassion. Her inspiration came years ago at a small community hospital in Massachusetts, where she witnessed the extraordinary care given to her grandfather by Rose, an ICU nurse. “I don’t remember her exact words, but I remember the comfort of her presence,” Michelle says. “Rose showed me what true patient and family-centered care looked like, and she inspired me to approach nursing as a service of compassion to every patient.”

From Bedside to Nurse Educator

Michelle began her career on a Medical-Surgical unit, where she was mentored by dedicated nurse leaders who encouraged her growth. With their guidance, she advanced into preceptor and charge nurse roles and later pursued her Master’s degree in Nursing Education. For the past six years, Michelle has served as an Inpatient Nurse Educator, first for the Med-Surg division and now as Manager of Clinical Education. In this role, she has had the privilege of shaping programs and initiatives that empower nurses at every stage of their careers.

Building Programs to Support Future Nurses

Under Michelle’s leadership, her team has achieved significant milestones, including:
  • Supporting the hospital in obtaining Magnet designation
  • Designing a custom virtual platform for nursing education
  • Creating a comprehensive library of nursing skill competencies used across the health system
  • Rebuilding the preceptor training and nurse residency programs
  • Restructuring the student nurse internship program the very program where Michelle began her own healthcare career as a college junior
For Michelle, these efforts represent a full circle moment: “It’s an honor to invest in programs that build confidence, competence, and resilience in the next generation of nurses.”
 

A Career Rooted in Gratitude and Service

Michelle believes nursing is about more than skills and procedures it’s about being present during life’s most challenging and meaningful moments. “Whether it’s sitting with a family during a time of grief or celebrating a new nurse mastering a skill, these are the moments I carry with me,” Michelle shares. “I believe God places us in people’s lives for a reason, even if we don’t always see it at the time. Over the years, I’ve been inspired by so many, and I hope I’ve inspired others in return.”

The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly honors Michelle Regan as a 2025 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader for her dedication to education, mentorship, and shaping the future of the nursing profession.

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