Retreat educator wins award

BRATTLEBORO -- Helen Shea-Murphy, director of clinical education for Retreat Healthcare, has received the "Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching" from the Office of Nursing Workforce, Research, Planning, and Development at the University of Vermont.

The award was presented at the Vermont Organization of Nurse Leaders' Nursing Summit on Feb. 24 at the Stoweflake Resort in Stowe. Shea-Murphy was one of five individuals that were chosen to receive this award.

The award is granted based on various evidence of a nominee's demonstration of three characteristics, including excellence in their role as clinical teacher, fostering passion for the art/science of nursing, and utilization of research in practice.

Ms. Shea-Murphy has worked at Retreat Healthcare in numerous capacities since 1982. These include direct psychiatric nursing care, clinical program manager, clinical educator, and psychotherapist.

She is currently the manager of professional development and clinical education. She also has been on the faculty of University of Massachusetts School of Nursing and Greenfield (Mass.) Community College and worked for Southern Vermont Home Health as coordinator of the Psychiatric and Addictions Program.

Since 2002, Shea-Murphy has been the Vermont coordinator of a psychiatric nursing education grant, which brings mental health and addictions education to nurses throughout Vermont.

She received her bachelor's in nursing from St. Anselm College and a master's in Nursing from Adelphi University.

She has been certified as a clinical nurse specialist since 1986.

Article Published: Thursday, March 23, 2006