The Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team
Celebrating Irish American Heritage Month Featuring the Story of Michael Szeliga, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CMSRN, CPHQ
Michael Szeliga'sprimary motivation to become a nurse came from a deep desire to help others. The act of helping takes many forms, each unique to the individual. For him, it meant forming meaningful connections with people during some of their most challenging moments and guiding them toward health and wellness. He takes great pride in his ability to connect with both patients and colleagues in a genuine and compassionate manner—an ability he attributes, in part, to his Irish heritage.
Although Michael jokingly admits that he has never officially kissed the Blarney Stone—a legendary Irish tradition said to grant the gift of persuasive and charming speech—his identity as a nurse is deeply rooted in the Irish values of connectedness and community. He takes great pride in his heritage and is grateful for the good fortune it has brought him in his nursing career.
Becoming an ANCC Certified Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC) has been one of the most significant milestones of his career, opening doors to opportunities beyond what he ever imagined. His training and experience as a CNS have become deeply integrated into all aspects of his work, providing him with the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate change across the three spheres of impact: patient care, nursing practice, and healthcare systems.
At ChristianaCare in Delaware, Michael's place of employment, he collaborates with colleagues to drive meaningful change at local, service line, and system levels in areas he is most passionate about, including nursing clinical practice, patient safety, workplace violence prevention, and meaningful recognition strategies. His expertise has also allowed him to fulfill a lifelong dream of shaping the next generation of nurses as Clinical Faculty in the CNS Program at Widener University.
Michael finds significant meaning in his role as a CNS and believes it has prepared him to serve on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN), where he has the privilege of shaping the strategy and vision for the specialty. Through this work, he remains committed to fostering compassion,commitment, and connection within the medical-surgical nursing community.
To Michael, earning his AGCNS-BC certification represents a significant achievement, signifying excellence and recognition in his specialty as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Being certified is particularly meaningful to him, as it reflects a commitment to professional growth and advancing the nursing profession. He believes that obtaining certification not only builds confidence in one's own abilities but also instills trust in others regarding the quality of care being provided.
Michael is incredibly proud of his professional journey over the past 13 years, a journey shaped by the remarkable friends, colleagues, and mentors he has met along the way. As nurses, he believes it is essential to remain courageous, curious, and collaborative in driving meaningful change—not only for patients but for the profession as a whole.
He emphasizes the importance of investing in oneself, as personal and professional growth benefits everyone. Taking time to recharge professionally also fuels personal well-being. If unsure where to begin, Michael recommends engaging in nursing professional organizations as a powerful way to connect with like-minded individuals. They can provide support, guidance, and inspiration.
Michael firmly believes in the value of finding a strong professional community, crediting his success to the incredible teams he has been part of over the years. He takes great pride in his accomplishments as a CNS and looks forward with excitement to the work ahead. To quote the indomitable Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation, “Find your team and get to work!”
Celebrating National Kidney Month Featuring the Story of Jacobett Wasonga-Agak, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC
Dr. Jacobett Wasonga-Agak's inspiration for nursing dates back to her childhood, when she spent countless hours with her aunt, who laid a strong foundation in the ethical and excellent clinical practices that would later shape her profession as a nurse. Providing care to the community has always been an integral part of her family heritage.
At the time, Jacobett was simply engaged in community service—an art her aunt often referred to as “being part of family”—as she assisted in providing care. Without realizing it, nursing became an everyday part of her life, nurturing both a passion and a future profession.
From learning simple nutrition guidelines to assisting in what she now recognizes as palliative and hospice care for family members, she gained invaluable experience from the best caregivers in the community. These early lessons became even more meaningful in adulthood as Jacobett cared for her mother during her battle with cancer, reinforcing the foundational principles of nursing that she had absorbed over the years.
When Jacobett reaches out to care for her patients today, she often reflects on those moments of providing care with limited resources alongside her aunt.
Her aunt’s hands-on mentorship shaped her understanding of nursing and reinforced the importance of competency-based practice, instilling the philosophy: “This is my investment for the future—you need to learn it and learn it the right way.”
Though her mother, a teacher, was initially disappointed by her childhood declaration to become a nurse, she remained supportive. Jacobett pursued a strong foundation in science, earning a Bachelor of Science in Botany and Zoology, followed by a graduate degree in Health Care Management. She later transitioned into nursing, obtaining an Associate of Science in Nursing before advancing to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, later resulting in her obtaining the ANCC board certification (AGCNS-BC). Jacobett feels that the certification has solidified her expertise, positioning her as a leader, researcher, consultant, and educator. It has enabled her to drive policy advocacy, quality improvement, and organizational advancements while securing a voice in executive leadership and interdisciplinary forums. The rigor of this certification also laid the foundation for her continued growth, ultimately supporting her pursuit of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
In her role, Jacobett works with patients with diabetes, who often face multiple coexisting conditions. Hyperglycemia affects major organs and increases the risk of kidney complications, making symptom management and preventive care essential. As it is common for adults with diabetes to have chronic kidney disease, there is also a high cost of managing both conditions simultaneously. However, according to Jacobett, there are preventive measures and better care coordination that can help reduce the burden of self-management.
To Jacobett, understanding related conditions, including diabetogenic diseases like COVID-19, is crucial. Despite its lasting impact on diabetes patients' post-recovery, continuity of care in this population remains underemphasized.
During her DNP, she conducted a scholarly quality improvement project, Implementing an Enhanced Continuum of Care Model for Patients with Diabetes and a History of COVID-19 Infection (DAHOCI), aiming to reduce cardiovascular risk through secondary prevention. This work was recently presented as a poster at the NACNS conference. Jacobett strongly believes that nurses play a critical role in improving kidney health, particularly for patients with diabetes.
For Jacobett, being an ANCC certified APRN signifies empowerment in advocacy, excellence, and ethical practice. It enables her to integrate core nursing principles, provide holistic care, and shape the future of nursing. This certification represents rigorous training, mentorship, and high competency, reinforcing nursing’s vital role in healthcare. More than a credential, it is a mark of leadership, responsibility, and a commitment to advancing patient care and health outcomes.
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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:
