Nurse Manager: Building Operational Excellence

Crystal Lawson, DNP, RN, CENP is nationally known for her work in leadership development and expertise in brain based learning strategies that result in sustained behavior change. Dr. Crystal Lawson is an expert in nursing and leadership development at all levels, with extensive experience in the national leadership development space. She currently provides consultant services to equip, inspire, and empower leaders to generate positive disruption. Dr. Lawson served as the Senior Director for Nursing Leadership Development at Ascension, serving >60K nurses. Previously, she was the Education Director for the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), where she was responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of AONL’s educational programs and services for leadership development of nurses at all levels. Prior to AONL she worked at the University of Tennessee Medical Center where she held a variety of clinical and administrative roles, including clinical nurse, nurse manager and Director of Nursing Education and Professional Development. Crystal has also worked as a role player for developmental leadership for managers and executives from various industries in the public and private sectors. Crystal earned her DNP from the University of Tennessee, focusing on transition from expert clinician to the nurse manager role. She holds the Certified in Executive Nursing Practice from AONL. Crystal currently resides part time in Knoxville, TN and Los Angeles.

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