In her current role, Christina Kelley provides oversight to the clinical nurse specialist, senior specialist, and nurse educator teams in the form of clinical expertise to include mentorship, professional development strategies, evidence integration, and innovative practices that guide the care delivered by the nursing workforce at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. Christina is also an agent for change who seeks to improve patient care outcomes and advance the nursing profession. She also guides the accreditation process for Magnet and Planetree designations. Outside of the clinical environment, Christina is an Associate Professor at Point Loma Nazarene University and a novice community activist. Christina serves on several local and state not-for-profit boards including Evidence Based Practice Institute for Nursing and Allied Health, Association for California Nurse Leaders, San Diego; and American Nurses Association, California. Christina’s research interests include critical care nursing, patient mortality improvement, mental and physical health of the nursing workforce, leadership, evidence-based practice, and new nurse graduate transition into practice. Recent honors include the 2020 American Nurses Association President Award, 2020 Core Award: People, 2017 Margaret Stevenson Nursing Scholarship Award, and the 2016 Structural Empowerment, Sharp Chula Vista Nursing Excellence Award.
What have you learned in this current season of your work that will fuel your hope for the future?
As nurses, we feel compelled to be where the hurting is, even if that means crossing the border or hitting the streets. We take our knowledge, expertise, and hearts to where we are needed most. As a nurse leader, I understand the importance of showing up and being engaged in real-time with passion that can fuel the team. Our "job" is molded each day by the needs of our community. Whether those needs are within the bounds of the hospital, in another country, or at a protest, it is our professional obligation to answer the call. The Lord is guiding my steps!
Favorite Leadership Quote:
“I’m constantly in a state of self-improvement, but I don’t beat myself up over it.” Mindy Kaling