Gerry Connors

Dr. G. Connors, DNP, MSN- Ed, RN, CNE Certified Academic Nurse Educator | Healthcare Operations & Education Leader Dr. Connors is a seasoned Registered Nurse with over 30 years of diverse experience spanning clinical care, operational leadership, education, and healthcare consulting. His dynamic career has encompassed roles as a front-line caregiver, educator, manager, director, executive, and consultant, consistently driving innovation and excellence across a wide range of healthcare settings — from small community hospitals to academic medical centers and specialty institutions.

A Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in Educational Leadership, Dr. Connors has made significant contributions to nursing education, particularly in the areas of theory, clinical instruction, and simulation-based learning. He is recognized for his expertise in gamification as a powerful active learning strategy. He has conducted scholarly work with virtual reality and anxiety reduction strategies in hospitalized children and has been honored with the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators. His areas of practice concentration include Education, Pediatrics, Administration, and Informatics.

Dr. Connors is a certified academic nurse educator (CNE) and a nationally published author and accomplished speaker, widely respected for his thought leadership in academic and operational domains. He brings a strong command of healthcare business analytics, workforce productivity assessment, and process improvement, with a proven track record of optimizing systems and leading successful design and construction projects in healthcare environments. Known for his strategic mindset and passion for lifelong learning, Dr. Connors continues to shape the future of nursing through his work with academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and technology companies. Fun fact: When he's not revolutionizing healthcare education or operations, he's likely enjoying a blast from the past — because 80’s music rocks!

Courses Taught

NUR 8100 - Health Policy and Analysis

Education

BSN, Chamberlain University

MSN, Chamberlain University

DNP, Chamberlain University

Diploma, Halifax Infirmary School of Nursing

Public Service

Diversity & Inclusion Committee Member, Committee Member - St. Petersburg

American Nurses Association , Volunteer -

Florida Division of Emergency Management , Volunteer -

Metro Inclusive Health , Volunteer - St. Petersburg

Awards / Honors

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty, , 2025

Presentations

Connors, G. (2026). The Effects of Virtual Reality on Anxiety in the Pediatric Perioperative Patient.