The Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team
Celebrating 2025 Graduates Featuring the Story of Lt. Jaeda Ewings, NC, USN, MSN, MHA, APRN, AGCNS-BC, MEDSURG-BC, WCC
Lt. Jaeda Ewings grew up in a military family where she witnessed firsthand the dedication and resilience it takes to serve others. That foundation, combined with a deep desire to care for people during their most vulnerable moments, is what drew her to nursing. She has always been passionate about being a source of calm and clarity in times of uncertainty, and nursing has given her that purpose every single day. Her clinical experiences on medical-surgical units, particularly in wound care, revealed gaps in system processes that directly impacted patient outcomes.
Jaeda was determined to be part of the solution—not only at the bedside, but also beyond direct patient care. Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist allowed her to merge her love for hands-on care with a passion for quality improvement and education. With her certifications, she now advances patient care and system-level optimization.
After graduation, she was motivated to obtain her ANCC Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certification—not just as a single achievement, but as a step toward continuous professional development and growth through ongoing renewal requirements. For Jaeda, being dual board certified by the ANCC is both a personal and professional milestone, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning and clinical excellence. The Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC) certification empowers her to lead change, educate staff, and advocate for evidence-based, system-wide improvements. The Medical-Surgical Nursing (MEDSURG-BC) certification keeps her rooted in clinical practice, ensuring she remains connected to the bedside perspective.
Alongside her ANCC certification journey, Jaeda Ewings serves as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Nurse Corps. She is a recent graduate of Rhode Island College, where she earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) and also holds a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from the University of Maryland Global Campus.
She is Wound Care Certified (WCC) and brings a strong clinical background in medical-surgical nursing and wound care. Jaeda has led quality improvement initiatives focused on patient safety, early mobilization, and pressure injury reduction. She will begin her next tour at Naval Medical Center San Diego, serving as an APRN and supporting the USNS Mercy, a hospital ship built to provide medical care.
For those considering a career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Jaeda encourages them to pursue the path. She believes it uniquely blends clinical expertise, systems thinking, and leadership to make a meaningful impact on patient care and staff development. For individuals passionate about driving sustainable change, mentoring others, and improving outcomes, the CNS role provides the tools and platform to do so. It’s a challenging journey, but one she finds incredibly rewarding.
Celebrating National Employee Wellness Month A Special Feature from Our Education and Outreach Program Manager
I originally aspired to become a biochemical engineer, inspired by my father, who was also an engineer. As the oldest sibling, I felt a sense of responsibility to follow in his footsteps. I’ve had a passion for the sciences from a young age—even attending engineering camp as a child. But over time, I realized that my true calling was helping people directly. This led me to nursing, especially after experiencing a series of personal health challenges.
My passion for science, desire to help others, and a series of personal health concerns in high school opened my eyes to the possibility of a nursing career. Although I initially considered following in my father’s footsteps, I realized that nursing offered the opportunity to blend scientific knowledge with meaningful human connection. Inspired by my aunt and cousin, both nurses, I chose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) after high school.
After graduating, I began my career in the emergency department, where I became a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) and advanced to Nurse Manager through the organization's clinical ladder program. I later transitioned to a role as a School Nurse and Nurse Leader, earning a school nurse certification, and eventually served as President of the Virginia State Nurses Association. That leadership experience inspired me to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Community and Public Health.
Before joining ANCC, I served as Director of Professional Practice in a health system, where I oversaw the Pathway to Excellence®, Magnet Recognition®, and Practice Transition Accreditation Program®. In that role, supported by my ANCC Nurse Executive (NE-BC) certification, I led system-wide initiatives including the creation of a residency program, the launch of a simulation center, and leadership of three research studies as the primary IRB investigator. I credit my ANCC board certification with enhancing my understanding of broad-scale communication and outcome-driven processes in healthcare. These experiences ultimately led me to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Executive Leadership.
I currently serve as the Education and Outreach Program Manager, supporting the Magnet Recognition®, Pathway to Excellence®, and the recently launched program, Well-Being Excellence™. I'm deeply committed to the work I do and believe in practicing what I advocate. Outside of my role, I promote wellness as a Certified Yoga Instructor, teaching beach yoga, vinyasa, and yin classes.
As a firm believer in the mission of ANCC programs and their impact on creating healthier, more supportive work environments, I’ve contributed to numerous publications and presentations focused on key elements of nursing excellence, including the Magnet Model and Pathway to Excellence Framework. Recently, I expanded my role to support outreach efforts for ANCC’s newest organizational credential, Well-Being Excellence™. This initiative is critically important, as it directly influences the health, efficiency, and overall success of both individuals and organizations. Make well-being a priority at your organization—here’s why:
Enhanced Effectiveness and Performance When employees feel physically and mentally well, they are more focused, motivated, and efficient. Well-being initiatives—like flexible work arrangements, mental health support, and wellness programs—help reduce burnout and absenteeism, leading to higher output and better quality of work.
Improved Employee Engagement and Retention Employees who feel valued and supported are more likely to be engaged in their work and loyal to their organization. Prioritizing well-being fosters a positive workplace culture, which reduces turnover, and the costs associated with hiring and training new staff.
Better Team Dynamics and Collaboration A healthy work environment encourages open communication, trust, and collaboration. When employees are mentally and emotionally balanced, they are more likely to contribute positively to team efforts and resolve conflicts constructively.
Reduced Healthcare Costs Organizations that invest in preventive health measures and stress management programs often see a reduction in healthcare claims and insurance costs. Supporting well-being can lead to fewer chronic illnesses and workplace injuries.
Stronger Employer Brand Companies known for prioritizing employee well-being attract top talent and enjoy a better reputation in the market. This can be a key differentiator in competitive industries.
Legal and Ethical Responsibility Promoting well-being is not just good business—it’s the right thing to do. Employers have a duty of care to provide a safe and supportive environment and doing so helps ensure compliance with labor laws and ethical standards.
If your organization is interested in earning the Well-Being Excellence™ credential, please contact me at wellbeingexcellence@ana.org or click the button below:
Connect With Us if you are Interested in Providing a Testimonial
Meet Katelyn Bern who manages customer engagement through social media and at ANCC tradeshows. She is committed to delivering engaging and meaningful content to keep you informed about important updates, including celebrations of certified nurses, stories of inspiration, newsletters, upcoming webinars, and more!
Monthly Stories of Inspiration from ANCC Certified Nurses began in May of 2024. You can view all of the 2024 stories by visiting our Meet the Team's page, under the Resources for You tab. We also encourage you to read our 2025 stories:
