Michelle McCarthy one of nine members nationwide on ANA’s committee for education, communication
The American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Innovation Advisory Board has invited Michelle McCarthy ’07 (B.S.N), assistant professor in the Department of Nursing at Salve Regina, to join their Innovation Advisory Committee (IAC) on Education and Communication.
The vision of this particular Innovation Advisory Committee is to shape the future of nursing innovation practices by providing professional development that empowers nurses to shape educational practice and healthcare delivery. Currently there are only nine members from the nation on this IAC.
“What an honor it is to be able to bridge nursing and innovation at both Salve and nationally through the American Nurses Association,” McCarthy said. “I am just so excited to bring this experience and knowledge to Salves’ nursing program and students.”
McCarthy sees a clear association between the committee’s vision statement and the Sisters of Mercy’s mission statement. Both statements emphasize creating equity and inclusion, building on one’s knowledge and upholding values.
“I think the connections that Salve is making with the American Nurses Association and bringing more awareness of opportunities that exist in the nursing profession help strengthen our nursing program,” McCarthy stated.
With a strong passion for community service, McCarthy has been able to encourage Salve’s nursing students to network with various healthcare professionals across the country.
“Professor McCarthy is a well-spoken medical professional who is very passionate and informative on the topics she teaches,” said Kayla Machado ’26, a nursing major. “She has endlessly worked to provide resources to her students and to connect with them.”
Every year, McCarthy takes her nursing students to the National Student Nurse Association. She says it opens their eyes to how the nursing profession is more than just working in a hospital.
“Salve’s nursing department is graduating nurses that will challenge the status quo,” McCarthy said. “They will change health care with their ideas and innovations to positively improve the health care industry …. They will do great things and truly make our world more harmonious, just and merciful.”
The Sisters of Mercy mission is followed through McCarthy’s work of comforting patients in their most vulnerable times. Whether it is bringing a new life into the world or holding the hand of a loved one that is transitioning into the next life, McCarthy is privileged to help people.
Michelle McCarthy was born and raised in Newport, Rhode Island. She has worked as a nurse for 17 years at Newport Hospital and Obstetrics, where she became well versed in clinical research, patient advocacy and medical-surgical skills.
Leaving Newport Hospital and Obstetrics, McCarthy transitioned into higher education as an adjunct professor at Salve teaching pediatrics and clinicals before taking a full-time faculty position.
McCarthy continues to practice as a registered nurse in local long-term care and rehabilitation centers, and she is also a nurse at Camp Marist in New Hampshire during the summer months. McCarthy earned her doctorate in education from Northeastern University and her nursing master’s degree focused on nursing informatics.
