Beth Garrison, RN, DNP, NPD-BC
Director at Large 

As an Arizona native, I would love to be on the AzNA board to represent nurses across the state especially rural communities of AZ.  Since I was five, I wanted to be a nurse and a teacher- always wanting to take care of people and teach everyone what I knew.  I obtained my first degree (ADN) from Mohave Community College in 2001 and my fourth, my DNP in 2021 from Grand Canyon University.  I believe in the importance of professional development.  I will continue my education in the fall of 2024 as I start my FNP journey.  Healthcare is always evolving and nurses must be committed to changing with it or get rooted in “but that’s the way we have always done it.” 

Spending 8 years as a nurse educator at a rural Arizona hospital, I was challenged to think outside the box by writing a 285 page application to provide CEs as one of my first tasks.  In 2014, I developed a nurse residency program that still continues at the facility with over 350 residents successfully finishing.  While there, I co-authored an article on the use of an escape room to demonstrate competency in required shills.  In 2022, I was a presenter at the Sigma International Conference, presenting on my research project on fall prevention.  In 2023, I helped achieve Grant 1803 to help develop our preceptors and nursing students to become more practice ready.  Leaving there after two years as a Director of Professional Development, I’m excited to transition to academia by becoming clinical faculty at Arizona State University.

My goal as Director at Large for AzNA would be to represent bedside nurses in all areas of Arizona. I had noticed that it is common for the AzNA Board of Directors to be from the Phoenix area and I feel strongly that I would be a valuable asset to the board and to members outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area. In addition to my passion for education, I have a strong passion for advocating for nursing in our state. As Director-At-Large, I bring years of experience, a wealth of knowledge, and compassion for all nurses in Arizona.

I am very excited about this opportunity to serve and I would be honored to receive your vote. Thank you for your time and consideration.