Wayne Community College Nursing Department Chair Michelle Garon has successfully passed the examination to become a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE).
The CNE credential is offered by the National League for Nursing. The certification was created to show nursing education as a specialty area of practice and allow an avenue for faculty to demonstrate their expertise.
To take the exam for certification, individuals must have a valid, unencumbered nursing license, a master’s or doctoral degree with a nursing education emphasis, and experience as a nurse educator.
WCC Dean of Allied Health and Public Services Janeil Marak said that Garon’s completion of the CNE exam demonstrates advanced expertise in nursing education and will allow her to share what she’s learned within WCC’s nursing department.
“This achievement enhances the nursing department by supporting evidence-based teaching practices, elevating the quality of training programs, and inspiring professional growth among all nursing faculty,” Marak said. “It strengthens the department’s ability to cultivate competent nurses, ultimately improving patient care outcomes.”
Garon has been a nurse for 24 years after graduating from WCC’s Associate Degree Nursing program. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from Winston-Salem State University, a master’s degree from Barton College, and a doctorate degree from Aspen University. Her nursing experience includes areas of home health, perianesthesia, and critical care.
In 2018, Garon began teaching in WCC’s Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs. She became chair of the nursing department in June of 2023.
“I feel my experience in preparing for and achieving the CNE certification will help to support the education of our students to foster their success,” Garon said.
About the National League for Nursing
Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its nearly 45,000 individual and 1,000 institutional members, comprising nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education and health care organizations. Learn more at nln.org.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.