From Classroom to Crisis: How Nurse Instructors Shape the Next Generation of Lifesavers

Every year, May 6–12 marks National Nurses Week—a time to honor the strength, compassion, and unwavering dedication of nurses across the country. At ACLS Academy, this celebration holds a special place in our hearts—not only because many of our instructors are nurses themselves, but because they are shaping the future of healthcare by training others in life-saving skills. From the classroom to the front lines of crisis response, our nurse instructors are the unsung heroes behind every confident responder we certify.

More Than Instructors—They’re Lifesavers, Mentors, and Role Models

At ACLS Academy, our nurse instructors don’t just teach CPR—they inspire confidence, instill calm, and model what it means to show up when it matters most. With credentials ranging from MSN, DNP, and NP-BC to specialties like Critical Care, Emergency Nursing, and Nurse Education, our instructors bring a wealth of clinical experience into the classroom. Whether they’re running a HeartSaver class, preparing educators through BLS Instructor training, or leading Pediatric Emergency courses, they’re teaching more than technique—they’re training mindset.

Our staff includes dedicated professionals like:

• Dr. Shelley Lynch, DNP, NP-BC, APRN, CCRN, founder of ACLS Academy and a true believer in the ripple effect of education.

• Jenny C., MD, and Peggy L., MSN, MBA, RN, CCRN, who bring leadership and compassion to every course.

• A team of nurse educators, including Kristine D., DNP, RN, NPD-BC, Jessica L., MSN Ed, RN, and Allison M., MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE, whose teaching credentials speak volumes.

• Emergency responders like Sheila S., DNP, RN, CEN, TCRN, and Kara C., DNP, RN, CEN, who translate field knowledge into accessible, actionable training.

• Christopher G., PhD-C, CRNA, RN, blending clinical expertise with deep academic insight.

• Jenna S., BS, RN, and Jaime M., BS, RN, who bring compassion and clarity to every course they lead.

• Lauren M., DNP, FNP-BC, and Sarah B., MSN, RN, combining advanced practice nursing with a gift for teaching.

• Julyanne P., BSN, RN, and Jenna K., BSN, RN-BC, CEN, CPEN, offering specialties in pediatric and emergency care.

• Jessica C., BSN, RN, Brittani T., BSN, RN, and Micaela P., BSN, RN, whose enthusiasm and dedication shine through in every session.

• Jen J., MSN, RN, CEN, CCRN, a dual-certified expert in emergency and critical care nursing.

• Audra M., MSN, RN, Lisa M., BSN, RN, and Jen C., BSN, RN-BC, each bringing depth of experience and heartfelt connection to the classroom.

These instructors bring real-world relevance to every simulation, guiding learners through scenarios where fast thinking and steady hands can mean the difference between life and death.

Real-World Impact: Training that Travels

The influence of ACLS Academy’s nurse instructors extends far beyond the classroom. In March, Shelley Lynch and Jenna Kennally, BSN, RN, traveled to the Mississippi Delta, where ambulance response times often stretch over an hour. There, they provided HeartSaver CPR, AED, and First Aid training to local educators and staff in collaboration with Partners in Development.

This wasn’t just certification—it was a community-based investment in health equity. One trainee is now on track to become a certified instructor, expanding the reach of life-saving training throughout the region. Shelley and Jenna’s commitment represents the kind of public health leadership that nurse instructors naturally step into—quietly but powerfully creating systems that save lives long after the training ends.

Closer to Home: Hanover Schools and the Power of Pro Bono Training

Back in Massachusetts, ACLS Academy completed a pro bono training initiative in the Hanover Public School District. Instructors provided free BLS Instructor classes, PEARs courses, and STOP THE BLEED training to school staff, ensuring that teachers, nurses, and administrators are prepared for any emergency involving students or colleagues.

This initiative speaks directly to our values. Founders Shelley and Chad Lynch, both Hanover residents and parents of children in the district, saw a need and answered it. By training school personnel not only in CPR but also in instructor certification, they’ve created a self-sustaining system where the skills get passed forward, generation to generation. It's a shining example of how nurse educators extend their care beyond the bedside, building resilient, prepared communities from the ground up.

Going the Extra Mile—Literally: Block Island Fire & Rescue

Recently, ACLS Academy brought training to the remote shores of Block Island, where access to medical facilities is limited, and emergency response is largely volunteer-driven. Five Fire & Rescue volunteers received American Heart Association HeartSaver certification from Shelley Lynch herself—who made the trip by ferry and stayed overnight just to accommodate the team’s demanding schedule.

Instructor and longtime island EMT Beth Rousseau noted that Shelley’s warmth and flexibility made all the difference. “She was accommodating, funny, a joy to work with—and just really wonderful.” Thanks to the training, Block Island now has a pipeline of newly certified instructors who can continue to train others, including the ferry crew, town staff, and lifeguards.

The Ripple Effect: Training Nurses, Training the Future

Each life-saving course led by our nurse instructors has the potential to change everything. A confident responder may perform CPR at a school sporting event. A daycare worker might act quickly with an EpiPen. A parent trained in CPR, could save their child from choking.

It all traces back to the nurse in the classroom—the one who encouraged, explained, demonstrated, and empowered.

At ACLS Academy, our nurse instructors are at the heart of our mission: to make life-saving knowledge accessible, practical, and impactful for everyone. We know that when you teach one person to act in a crisis, you’re not just certifying a student—you’re creating a chain reaction of readiness and resilience.

Thank You, Nurse Instructors

This Nurses Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to the nurse instructors who lead with purpose and passion. You are shaping the next generation of lifesavers—with every mannequin, every module, every moment.

Your lessons don’t end when the class does. They echo in the real world, in the steady hands and calm voices of those who were lucky enough to learn from you.

From all of us at ACLS Academy—thank you. 💙

ACLS Academy is an authorized American Heart Association (AHA) Aligned Training Center. We have three convenient locations in Massachusetts—Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center—and most of our classes include an online training component. We provide high-quality courses taught by instructors practicing in the medical profession for ACLS, BLS, TNCC, ENPC, NRP, PALS, PALS Plus, PEARS, ACLS-EP, ASLS, Bloodborne Pathogen, HeartSaver CPR/AED, First Aid, and Instructor Courses. 

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