Dr. Susan Herman, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, is a transformational leader who creates a patient/family-centered and collaborative work environment. Dr. Herman most recently served as Chief Nursing Executive at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospitals, responsible for clinical care and patient care standards. In addition to her inpatient responsibilities, she provided oversight for the Outpatient Specialty Centers and the Cherese Mari Laulhere Children’s Village initiative. Before her work in Long Beach, Dr. Herman served as Chief Nursing Officer/VP of Patient Care Services at Adventist Health in Bakersfield. She also previously worked with the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University Medical Center as a Nursing Director.
Dr. Herman received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pennsylvania State University and her Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of California, San Francisco. She earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from California State University, Fresno, and San Jose State University. Additionally, she has participated in a variety of roles at state and national levels for several nursing leadership organizations, including serving as president of the Association of California Nurse Leaders in 2015.
Do you have any particular areas of interest/specialization related to nursing leadership, nursing education, or informatics?
- Transformational Leadership
- Magnet
- Executive Nursing
What motivated your interest in serving on the advisory board for the MSN-NL program? What are you hoping to contribute?
My strong belief in lifelong learning, professional development, community involvement, and leadership inspired me to join the advisory board for this program.
What advice do you have for anyone interested in advancing their nursing career?
It is worthwhile to invest the time and effort. We need more formal leaders in the profession to be good role models.
In your view, what is unique and exciting about USD’s online MSN-NL program? How does the advisory board help shape the future of the program to best meet the goals of both students and their potential employers?
The MSN in Nursing Leadership program at the University of San Diego is a high-quality program with an online offering. It is very exciting to get to work with nursing leaders from a variety of settings to collaborate on best practices for academics and services.