The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) presented Susan Krinsky RN CRRN CCM with the 2013 ARN Staff Nurse Role Award. Krinsky received her award at the 39th Annual ARN Annual Educational Conference, held October 2-5 in Charlotte, NC.
The Staff Nurse Role Award recognizes outstanding practice by a rehabilitation nurse in a direct patient care role. Krinsky works as a staff nurse at HealthSouth Sunrise Rehabilitation Hospital in Sunrise, FL working in the Day Rehab Outpatient Department, which specializes in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebrovascular accident and neurological disorders.
"Krinsky provides personalized care to her patients and offers a hands-on approach to teaching and educating them and their families. She ensures the families of her patients understand how to properly provide care for them," says Ina Fletcher in her nomination of Krinsky for the award. Colleagues of Krinsky say that she demonstrates true rehabilitation nursing skills every day and is always seeking ways to improve the delivery of care to her patients.
Sue Jones, Krinsky's manager, states, "Sue Krinsky is not only a valued nurse but she is also an exceptional person. Anyone that has had the pleasure of coming in contact with Sue will tell you that her calm voice, soft touch and gentle demeanour wraps around you like a cocoon. Sue always has the time for you. She makes you feel that you are the most important person to her."
Krinsky has been an RN for 46 years, having spent 25 of them in rehabilitation, and an ARN member for 20 years. Krinsky founded the Spinal Cord Injury Support Group in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 2007. This not-for-profit foundation promotes companionship through education, advocacy, friendship and recreation to enhance the quality of life for those with spinal cord injuries.
Consistent home-based care reduces urgent care use and hospitalizations in older adults