MICHELLE A. NELSON
Dr. Nelson received her doctorate from Emory University in 2009 and continues to be involved in advancing nursing science to improve patient outcomes and support professional nursing practice. As a Clinical Associate Professor at the Georgia State University Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing Dr. Nelson teaches a wide range of clinical and research courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs. She has recently been appointed as the Program Coordinator of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program.
Dr. Nelson is a fierce advocate for advancing health policy and promoting full scope of practice for Advance Practice Nurses in Georgia. As an FNP, Dr. Nelson would be able to assist with developing a more detailed plan for vaccine distribution particularly at the point of care. As an educator, she is skilled in educating individuals regarding vaccination administration, side effects, and symptomatology. A proven leader in professional nursing associations, serving as the current president of Advance Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia, she encourages advanced education and certification, and leading the unification of APRN organizations in Georgia as well as student and colleagues to take an active role in government through promoting legislative action. She serves on multiple state level nursing association committees: Georgia Nurses Association (GNA), Georgia Association of Nurse Educators (GANE), Georgia Nursing Leadership Coalition (GNLC), and national level committees for the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and AARP. Dr Nelson is no stranger to the Georgia State Capitol where she has forged bipartisan support in advancing a number of bills aimed at strengthening scope of practice for nurses to promote the wellbeing of the citizens of Georgia in urban and rural communities. Dr Nelson credits her determination and will to her West-Indian parents who stressed the value of quality, advanced education as well as hard work. Dr. Nelson has received numerous nursing excellence and leadership awards including most recently the 2020 Atlanta March of Dimes Distinguished Nurse of the Year.
She currently practices as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specializing in anticoagulation therapy at Staten Island University Hospital. Dr. Nelson is currently the State President of United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (UAPRN) of Georgia and Co-Director of the Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (CAPRN). She previously served as the UAPRN State Secretary. UAPRN is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to healthcare for the citizens of Georgia. Dr. Nelson is also the Chair and a founding member of Georgians United for Healthcare. She also serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for The Nurse Practitioner Journal.
Dr. Nelson enjoys connections with key leaders, organizations and clinical agencies in the state of Georgia along with Universities inclusive of Georgia State University and Emory University’s schools of public health. Access to key contacts with the ability to provide skills training and effective dissemination of healthcare information are some of her greatest strengths. Dr. Nelson is an accomplished classical pianist who enjoys epicurean experiences, extensive world travel and reading.