The FCN's ELEVATE Nursing Initiative is designed to bring light to state and national recognition programs and those individuals or institutions that earn these prestigious honors. Each quarter a program will be selected to be highlighted by the FCN. Please watch this page to learn about Florida achievers and awardees.
The Florida Center for Nursing is pleased to recognize Dr. Jan Adams as this quarter’s ELEVATE Nursing Awardee.
Dr. Adams began her nursing education at Norfolk General Hospital School of Professional Nursing, graduating with a Diploma in Nursing in 1979. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Old Dominion University, Master Public Administration (MPA) from Troy State University and Doctorate in Nursing Practice from American Sentinel University in Aurora, Colorado.
Dr. Adams served the U. S. Navy as a legalman at Naval Air Station, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Dr. Adams applied and was accepted into a military program to attend nursing school. Upon graduation from her initial nursing education program, she joined the U. S. Navy Nurse Corps retiring in December 1998 at the rank of Commander. Dr. Adams’s career in the Navy included orthopedic, mental health and critical care nursing. She directed the Quality Management Department at Naval Hospital, Naples, Italy.
Dr. Adams was one of the first Navy nurses assigned to an outpatient military clinic. She was awarded multiple awards for her dedication to nursing leadership and changing the paradigm for military outpatient nursing while serving as the Nursing Director in the Otolaryngology Clinic at Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
Upon retirement from the navy, Dr. Adams entered nursing education. She has taught and directed licensed practical nursing programs, associate degree in nursing programs, bachelor degree in nursing and master’s degree in nursing programs.
Dr. Adams is an active member of the American Nurses Association, President of the Florida Nurses Association and member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society.
Dr. Adams currently resides in Tampa, Florida and is the Assistant Dean of Nursing Operations for Herzing University.
The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Beacon Awards are given for Excellence in Critical Care Nursing. Each hospital based critical care unit must meet specific criteria in the categories of: Leadership Structures and Systems, Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement, Effective Communication, Knowledge Management and Learning Development, Evidence Based Practice and Processes and Outcome Measurements. Hospital units must apply individually. The Beacon Award denotes a Standard of Excellence in patient care environments. Units that receive the award display a positive and healthy work environment to attract and retain highly competent nursing staff. They strive toward continued excellence and quality improvement to maintain the status of the award by delivering quality evidence-based care. Beacon Awards- Bronze, Silver, and Gold- are given for a three-year designation. Units can trend their journey to excellence over time. Current there are 48 Beacon Awards designated in Florida. For more information, go to: https://www.aacn.org/nursing-excellence/beacon-awards
4/27/2025
8/24/2023
Not indicated
Orlando Regional Medical Center Elective Orthopedic Unit
Orlando, FL