The American Nurses Association Massachusetts has honored School of Nursing Instructor Julika Wocial with the American Nurses Association of Massachusetts Excellence in Nursing Education Award. 

Wocial, who teaches in the prelicensure program, is a critical care nurse in the intensive care unit at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, where she also precepts nursing students and novice nurses.

“For me, this award is not only a personal milestone but also a recognition of the importance of connecting clinical practice with didactic teaching,” said Wocial. “Connecting clinical practice and real-life patient stories to what students are learning in the classroom is such an important part of helping them develop critical thinking and clinical reasoning. When students can see how the concepts they are studying apply to real-world situations, it makes everything click and feel more meaningful. It helps them understand how to recognize subtle changes in a patient’s condition, think ahead about what might happen next, and make smart, safe decisions.”

Wocial believes nursing education should set a high bar because nurses are the first line of defense in patient care — they are the ones at the bedside, assessing subtle changes in a patient’s condition, and advocating for timely interventions. The better prepared our nurses are, says Wocial, the safer and higher-quality care they can deliver.

“Having nursing educators who also practice clinically is an advantage, because they bring those real, up-to-date experiences into their teaching. It shows students how the knowledge they are gaining works in action and prepares them for the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of nursing. It’s the perfect way to connect theory to practice and set students up for success.”

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to ANA Massachusetts for this incredible recognition, and for their unwavering commitment to advancing nursing education in our state, and throughout the country and beyond. I would also like to thank my students for letting me learn with them, and my colleagues who took the time and effort to nominate me for this award.”