2022 Award Winner Spotlight: Nurse Educator

This award recognizes a nurse who has contributed to the advancement of rehabilitation nursing care through an academic or educational role.

This honor goes to someone who demonstrates leadership ability and effectiveness in the educational development and mentoring of rehabilitation nurses or students and supports the advancement of rehabilitation nurses through continuing or formal education. Congratulations to this year's winner, Yvette Salas, MSN CRRN!

What does this award mean to you?

Receiving the Nurse Educator award was a career high point. It meant so much to me to see that one's work means something and is making positive change for others. I felt that all the hard work was really paying off. The award fueled my desire to continue advocating and promoting the rehab profession.

What does ARN provide you as a member?

ARN provides support, comradery, and a network of opportunities. It's a special place to acknowledge one another for the efforts put forth, and to promote the art and science of rehabilitation nursing.

What made you want to become a rehab nurse?

Coming from ICU and PCU, I came across rehab nursing by accident! I never realized it was such a diverse specialty. When my first patient said 'I love you' to his mom after not speaking for six months, I knew rehab nursing was for me. That moment sealed the deal. I work hard every day to ensure other patients get the same opportunity to experience that special moment.

What is your favorite thing about being a rehab nurse?

My favorite things about being a rehab nurse are the miracles we witness and the hard work that patients, families, and staff put in to achieve patient goals.

About Yvette Salas

Yvette M. Salas, MSN CRRN, serves as the Infection Preventionist and Hospital Educator at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Miami. Salas has been employed at Encompass Health since 2016. She has more than 25 years of acute care nursing experience. She started her nursing career with an Associate of Science in Nursing from a community college in rural Pennsylvania. Salas continued her education at Chamberlain University earning a BSN in 2018 and continued on for a Master's Degree in Health Care Policy in 2020.

At Encompass Health, Salas started as a night shift supervisor, obtained the CRRN, and progressed to Hospital Educator and Infection Preventionist. In January 2020, Salas was appointed as the Southeast regional Infection Preventionist for Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals.

During her appointment, she has assisted new ICPs to acclimate to the role of Infection Prevention and guided colleagues through the Covid-19 pandemic. Salas is a passionate educator and strives to improve the work-life balance of nursing professionals through policy and advocacy.

She serves as a Parrish nurse in her south Florida community and works with local leaders to improve access to health care. Salas is an active member of ARN, she provides education to her local chapter, and serves on the ARN policy committee.