LAKELAND (Dec. 5, 2011) – Dr. John Welton, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Florida Southern College, has been named the recipient of the 2012 Nurse Researcher Award from the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) Foundation for Nursing Leadership Research and Education.

The award recognizes a nurse researcher who has made significant contributions to nursing research and is recognized by the broader nursing community as an outstanding nurse researcher. Dr. Welton will be honored at an award presentation during the AONE 45th annual meeting in Boston on March 24, 2012, where he will also deliver the annual AONE Foundation Lecture, Value-Based Nursing.

According to a news release from AONE:

A nurse for more than 30 years, Welton is recognized internationally for his work in nursing intensity, nursing economics and workforce issues and nursing administration. As a nurse scientist, he has focused most recently on the value of nursing. … Welton has served as principal investigator and co-investigator for a wide-ranging list of funded research studies and has published extensively and consulted and presented widely for professional, health care, higher education and corporate organizations.

Welton has a clinical background in critical care and flight nursing and started an air ambulance company earlier in his career. He has a bachelor of science in nursing from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., a master of science in nursing administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a doctorate in nursing with a minor in medical informatics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to coming to FSC, he served on the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore and the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing in Charleston.

About the American Organization of Nurse Executives
The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) is the national professional organization for nurses who design, facilitate and manage care. With more than 8,100 members, AONE is the leading voice of nursing leadership in health care. Since 1967, the organization has provided leadership, professional development, advocacy and research to advance nursing practice and patient care, promote nursing leadership excellence and shape public policy for health care. AONE is a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association (AHA). For additional information, visit the AONE website at www.aone.org. The AONE Foundation for Nursing Leadership Research and Education (AONE Foundation) was established in 2010 to further the research and educational priorities of AONE.