Carilion's Ellen Harvey Recognized as the ANCC 2021 Magnet Nurse of the Year

Harvey-headshot

The American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Program awarded Ellen M. Harvey, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, TCRN, FCCM, the prestigious Magnet Nurse of the Year award for Empirical Outcomes for 2021. This is a yearly award that is given to a nurse employed by a Magnet designated hospital for their contribution to the nursing profession exemplifying nursing excellence. 

“I am deeply honored,” said Dr. Harvey in her acceptance speech. “I'm especially proud to be a part of a dedicated interprofessional team led by nurses.”

She was nominated for her leadership of a nurse-led interprofessional surgical team to decrease the incidence of infections in patients who received emergency placement of an External Ventricular Device (EVD) for the removal of excess cerebrospinal fluid to promote healing. 

While looking to lower the infection rate, Dr. Harvey and her team noted that the literature was not clear on the process to prevent this type of infection in neuro-surgical patients. The team developed and implemented an “EVD care bundle" and immediately saw the EVD-related infection rate decrease to 0%, which Carilion Roanoke Memorial has maintained for more than 21 months. 

In addition, this nurse-led, infection-free culture of safety is projected to result in a more than $700,000 cost avoidance in the first year alone. The ANCC commissioner presenting Dr. Harvey with her award stated, “this is truly an empirical outcome.”

“I think there's something profoundly beautiful about being a nurse," said Dr. Harvey. ”Bringing out the best in others and yourself; facing challenging situations calmly and innovatively; supporting the resilience of the human spirit. Although our profession is physicially and emotionally challenging, each moment is an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others."