Lauren Paris
Marietta
Summary
Director of Nursing Education with a proven ability to elevate clinical education and quality standards across large healthcare systems. Leads the design and execution of comprehensive training programs, driving increased learning management system engagement and regulatory compliance. Partners with interdisciplinary leadership to align education strategies with organizational goals and patient care priorities. Oversees multi-million-dollar budgets while achieving >90% employee satisfaction, reflecting strong leadership in workforce development and staff engagement. Champions evidence-based practice through targeted education initiatives and collaborative quality improvement efforts.
Overview
1
1
Certification
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
System Director of Nursing Education
Wellstar Health System
Atlanta
06.2022 - Current
- Provide nursing representation, coordination, and dissemination of education for system initiatives across 11 hospitals and 300+ ambulatory clinics.
- Direct and coordinate annual review and maintenance of nursing and nursing support orientation and annual competency process across the healthcare system.
- Develop orientation and training for nurse educators across the system; lead educators in understanding new initiatives, equipment, and practice changes for further dissemination.
- Oversight of education specialists in enhancement and coordination of 12 Transition to Practice Specialty Courses; advocacy, promotion of and growth of 5 new programs.
- Developed, executed and socialized results of system wide Nursing and Nursing Support Learning Needs Assessment for >12,000 team members.
- Implementation of Electronic competency management platform across all inpatient service lines over 18 months; research and platform decision; project design and management for implementation; increased compliance from 25% to 90%.
- Integrated educational programs, EMR education, and LMS systems with acquired facilities.
- Managed 3.9-million-dollar budget, overseeing contracts for LMS systems and learner licenses to ensure alignment with national best standards in learning.
- Advocated for program expansion to address staffing needs and enhance support within healthcare systems.
- Improve LMS participation by >12% quarter over quarter- increase ROI of platform.
- Recognized as a Trusted Leader with >90% employee satisfaction scores every year.
- Collaborated with clinical leaders to align operations with organizational goals and standards.
- Facilitated training programs for staff on new systems and operational procedures.
- Conducted research into emerging technologies and evaluated their potential application within the organization.
System Manager Professional Practice
Wellstar Health System
Atlanta
11.2020 - 06.2022
- Managed nursing professional development educators across nine hospitals and 300+ clinics to standardize training and enhance nursing competencies.
- Chaired system shared leadership nursing council to drive strategic discussions on quality initiatives and promote best practices across facilities.
- Collaborated with facility nursing teams to develop and implement quality initiatives that improved staff engagement and professional growth.
- Project managed updates and maintenance of 400+ evidence-based nursing policies.
- Implemented redeployment strategies and training programs during the COVID-19 pandemic to support patient surge
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Emory University Hospital
Atlanta
08.2016 - 10.2020
- Led healthcare system-wide committees addressing healthcare-associated infections: VAE/VAP and Clostridium difficile.
- Standardized devices, procedures, and policies across healthcare system to ensure compliance and improve care delivery.
- Introduced staff education initiatives, infection control audits, and safe medication administration practices to enhance patient safety and meet unit and facility goals.
- Prepared staff and hospital for regulatory agency surveys and Magnet reaccreditation visits, ensuring readiness and alignment with accreditation standards.
Charge Nurse, Neurovascular Intensive Care Unit
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center
Marietta
04.2011 - 07.2016
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
Georgia State University
Atlanta05-2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA12-2010
Skills
- Learning management systems (LMS) administration
- Project management
- Change management
- Orientation and onboarding program leadership
- Leadership development
- Organizational development
- Budgeting and resource allocation
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Affiliations
- Association for Nursing Professional Development, 2021-present
- American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL), 2019-present
- Georgia Organization of Nurse Leaders (GONL), 2025-present
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 2011-present
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses: Atlanta Chapter, 2018-present
Certification
- Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist- Adult Gerontology (ACCNS-AG)
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) (2017-2023)
- TeamSTEPPS
National Accomplishments And Publications
- American Organization of Nursing Leaders (AONL) Director Fellowship graduate, 2025
- Wellstar Leadership Academy nominee and participant, 10/25-present; expected graduation, July 2026
- First Place Award Winner: 2025 Georgia Hospital Association 1st place award winner: Empowering Future Nurses: Implementing a Dedicated Education Unit Model
- First author; American Journal of Nursing, Implementation of a warm zone model during COVID-19: Reducing workflow burden and conserving personal protective equipment, June 2020
- Poster Presenter at American Organization Nurse Leaders (AONL) Annual Conference, Developing a Retention and Satisfaction-Focused Orientation Program, 2020
- Podium Presenter at Press Ganey National Client Conference, Sowing the Seeds of Engagement: An ICUs Journey to Professional Growth, 2019
- Team lead in organization and execution Emory Healthcare Neuroscience Symposium, 2019
- AACN CCRN Practice Exam Question Developer, 2020
- Poster Presenter at AACN's National Teaching Institute Conference, Making a C.difference, 2018
- Poster Presenter at Emory Healthcare's Quality Conference, Making a C.difference, 2017
- Emory Healthcare Quality Academy Graduate, 2017
- Co-author and co-editor of AACN Silver Beacon award winning application, 2017
- Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) recipient, Kennestone Regional Medical Center, 2013 and 2015
Timeline
System Director of Nursing Education
Wellstar Health System
06.2022 - Current
System Manager Professional Practice
Wellstar Health System
11.2020 - 06.2022
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Emory University Hospital
08.2016 - 10.2020
Charge Nurse, Neurovascular Intensive Care Unit
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center
04.2011 - 07.2016
Master of Science - Nursing
Georgia State University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Georgia Southern University