NEWPORT, R.I. - Nursing lecturer Kathryn Rexrode, RN, MSN, has received ATI Nursing Education's first-ever Nurse's Touch Award. Nominated by two of her students, she was specifically selected for her demonstration and expectation of professionalism from students as well as exemplifying the personal and professional balance necessary to be a nurse one day.

"We are honored to recognize Kathryn for her commitment to developing communications, professionalism and similar 'soft skills' in future nurses," said Sheryl Sommer, director of nursing education and curriculum at ATI Nursing Education. "Nursing programs have limited time and resources, which means these skills are rarely a top priority in the classroom. Under her guidance, nursing students at Salve Regina are receiving exposure to abilities that will help them function as leaders of the healthcare team and be a patient advocate."

Rexrode went back to school for an education degree in 2007 after spending more than 20 years providing direct patient care as nurse. She initially wasn't set on teaching undergraduate nursing students, but realized during her clinical experience it was what gave her greatest fulfillment. She has been teaching full-time for the past two years and expresses how valuable she finds it to bring her real life work experience into the classroom.

"Many faculty members at Salve Regina are deserving of this type of award, and therefore I am humbled and honored to be selected. I feel fortunate to work in a smaller setting where I know my students by name, and incorporate teaching and modeling soft skills," Rexrode said. "Thanks to ATI Nursing Education for calling attention to the importance of soft skills education."

ATI Nursing Education is the leading provider of online learning programs that are instrumental in improving faculty effectiveness and student and program outcomes in nursing schools across the country. Currently the company works with more than 20,000 nurse educators, approximately 2,100 colleges and universities and more than 225,000 students nationwide.

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