Golden Named “Best Nurse Leader” Finalist

Skilled leaders are able to build and sustain environments that support excellent care and practice, encourage ongoing staff learning and create effective partnerships to reach patient care outcomes. Shaun Golden, BSN, RN, CNRN, nurse manager of the Neuroscience ICU, and, until recently, Angiography and Radiology, is known by his staff as such a leader.

For these reasons and many more, ADVANCE for Nurses magazine named Golden a runner-up for its 2006 “Best Nurse Leaders” award. Golden earned recognition in the Patient Outcomes category and is featured in the magazine’s Oct. 23 issue. A panel of nurse-leader peers judges the annual contest.

Vince Vacca, Jr., MSN, RN, CCRN, nurse educator of the Neuroscience ICU, who nominated Golden, detailed his accomplishments as an efficient and supportive manager who encourages the educational development of staff and also serves as a mentor and problem-solver. Golden’s work as an active member of the organ donation committee, in particular, illustrates this balance.

“Shaun has helped staff become knowledgeable and comfortable recognizing and assisting with this most difficult of clinical situations,” Vacca wrote. “For a patient to suffer a catastrophic disease, illness or injury that renders them brain dead and to then become a successful organ donor can make a tremendous difference for the surviving family members and friends. Shaun has been directly involved in every organ donation that has occurred in the Neuroscience ICU, supporting the staff and the family of the donor.”