Pam Jones, DNP, MSN, R.N., senior associate dean for Clinical and Community Partnerships for Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), has been recognized as the top representative of advanced practice nursing in Tennessee.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) awarded the Advocate State Award for Excellence to Jones in June.
The award is given annually “to an individual in each state who has made a significant contribution toward increasing awareness and acceptance of NPs,” according to the AANP.
“Examples of past recipients have been physicians, legislators, educators, etc. NPs are also eligible for the advocate award for non-clinical practice initiatives related to leadership, precepting, policy, politics, research, education or community affairs.”
The AANP, which is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners, represents the interests of more than 60,000 NPs.
Jones, who started her career at Vanderbilt more than 30 years ago as a neonatal nurse, was pleased to accept the award.
“Working with talented APRNs to support their exceptional practice is one of my greatest joys,” she said. “I am honored to receive this award.”
For more than three decades of nursing, Jones has been instrumental in the development of multiple community nurse practitioner practices. She has held progressive nursing positions at Vanderbilt and elsewhere, including teaching in VUSN’s health care leadership program for several years and working in the school’s faculty practice arm. She helped put together the proposal that resulted in Vine Hill Community Clinic becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center.
In 2008, Jones became Chief Nursing Officer at Vanderbilt University Hospital, responsible for all inpatient nursing services, the Emergency Department, LifeFlight, respiratory therapy, social services and case management.
Earlier this year, she transitioned to her current position at VUSN as senior associate dean for Clinical and Community Partnerships. She is charged with further enhancing interdisciplinary practice opportunities, developing future models of care that enhance health and provide educational opportunity for VUSN students, overseeing several community outreach programs and exploring ways to more fully integrate VUSN with Vanderbilt’s growing affiliate network.
Jones has been a mentor, not just for advance practice nurses, but for all leaders, said April Kapu, DNP, APRN, associate nursing officer and VUMC advanced practice director in the Office of Advanced Practice.
“She is very talented in being able to develop leaders, and that’s a skill set that’s unique,” Kapu said. “She inspires and she leads by example and she grows leaders.”
