In late November 2023, we earned our first Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the highest honor for nursing excellence. Achieving this prestigious recognition is not just an accolade; it’s a testament to the tireless effort of our nursing teams’ ongoing pursuit of clinical excellence, exceptional patient care and a culture of continuous learning.

Chief Nursing Officer Francine BarrThe future for Inova Alexandria Hospital, nursing, and our community is very bright. As plans are underway to build a new Inova Alexandria Hospital, we are thrilled to have nursing engaged with the architects and designers in the creation of a world class facility for our community and the patients we serve. Every aspect and element of the new hospital is being designed with our patients in mind and our nurses involved. The future promises to be one of growth, opportunity, and development. Nursing will be at the forefront of this, and I am honored to be part of this exciting journey.

Francine Barr, DNP, RN
Chief Nursing Officer, Inova Alexandria Hospital
Vice President of Nursing for Inova Schar Heart and Vascular

Professional Practice Model graphicNurses at Inova Alexandria Hospital are teachers, servant leaders, facilitators, consultants, change agents, coaches, researchers, clinical experts, and motivators. As one team, we inspire and empower our nurses to perform at the highest level of professionalism and to achieve and validate skills and confidence through engagement and feedback.

We value a caring environment and support caring practices for self, co-workers and for our patients. Our team of extraordinary nurses practice our theoretical framework of Dr. Jean Watson’s Human Caring Theory through caring moments, connection and compassion at every encounter.

We have our finger on the pulse of nursing inside and outside our organization, bringing new ideas and approaches that elevate nursing practice.

Our team orients, mentors, encourages, and guides transition to nursing practice at all levels at Inova Alexandria Hospital, including:

  • New graduate nurses
  • Nurses changing specialty
  • New-hire proficient nurses
  • New nurse leaders
  • APRN transition to practice

Inova Nursing Purpose

At Inova, our nursing practice is grounded in connection, caring, compassion, and excellence through innovation, and the best evidence, in service to our patients, their families, our communities, and each other.

Inova Nursing Aspiration

Inova nurses aim to be the most trusted nurses in the nation.


 

A Reputation for Excellence

Inova Alexandria Hospital is a nationally recognized, advanced community hospital with a rich history. We’ve been proudly serving our diverse community for more than a century and are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate care for the entire family.

Advancing Excellence and Growth in Nursing

nurses at professional development fair
Teaching

Clinical Educator Susan Medina MSN, RN, CNOR teaching at Professional Development Fair.

Nurse residents with their presentation poster
Presenting

Alexandra Gervais, BSN, RN; Michelle Lower, RN; and David Drawsek, BSN, RN – Nurse Residents presenting their work at Nurse Residency Graduation.

nurse leaders with their Thank You flowers
Deserving

Nurse leaders receiving flowers from "Twig" (Inova Alexandria Auxiliary) volunteers during Nurses Week.

Inova nurses at charity walk
Giving

Lesley Chauncey, MSN, RNC, CEIM; Sandy Johns, BSN, RN; and Rachel Foard MSN, RNC-NIC at the March of Dimes walk in 2021.

nurse residents in the Inova Sepsis Escape Room
Learning

Nurse Residents learning about the care of a patient experiencing sepsis, by escaping Inova's innovative Sepsis Escape Room.

Nurses with sim lab dummy
Advancing Patient Care

Nurses participating in a simulation lab learning experience.

Patient Comments

I had COVID and the Inova team was amazing especially nurse "Mary." She is a former COVID patient and she could relate well with my condition. She was very supportive and went beyond the call of duty to make sure I was very comfortable during my stay.
I felt like the prep for my surgery was excellent and very professional. I thought the nurse was very explanatory of everything he did, the anesthesiologist was very informative and all other nursing staff was just great supportive. I felt like it is a very well run team.
Each person we came in contact with treated my wife with respect, courtesy and a friendly smile. I was really impressed with that and their concerns for her during my visit. I appreciate it ... Thank you.
All of my nurses and technicians were marvelous. They were very professional, informative, kind and provided me with wonderful care. I hope any future medical care that I might require was as well done as the care provided during this hospitalization. Even though I know how busy they must have been I never experienced any rushed care.
Everybody treated me with kindness showing empathy and a personal interaction. They genuinely cared and it showed.
The nurses were absolutely incredible. I cannot say enough good about their awesome level of care and skill. I remain extremely impressed that start to finish at all times how good they were in caregiving. Truly made the recovery so much better.
I was impressed by the consistently high level of competence and attention to detail. They either answered my questions or quickly found out the answers. Superb nursing staff.

Zach WotherspoonNurse Leader Receives Local Award

The Alexandria, VA Chamber of Commerce recognized Zachary Wotherspoon, DNP, as one of its "40 Under 40" honorees for 2022. Honorees are selected "for their professional accomplishments, scholastic achievement, community impact, and personal story." Zach serves as Senior Nursing Director of Emergency Services at Inova Alexandria Hospital and the Inova HealthPlex - Springfield. He leads a dedicated team of 110+ nurses, EMTs and staff, ensuring Inova patients receive compassionate, quality care every time, every touch.

 

U.S. News & World Report

For the 2024–2025 awards year, Inova Alexandria Hospital has been named "high performing" in the following clinical and surgical areas:

  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Orthopedics
  • Heart Attack
  • Heart Failure
  • Kidney Failure
  • Knee Replacement
  • Pneumonia
  • Stroke
 

NCDR seal NCDR ACTION Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award: Inova Alexandria Hospital has once again been honored with the American College of Cardiology's MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2024. This award highlights our continued commitment and success in delivering the highest standard of care for heart attack patients.

 

Making a Difference to Patients

Meet a few of our nurses here at Inova Alexandria Hospital making a difference in the lives of our patients and healthcare.

Akongne Mbah Ambe, BSN, RN

Nurse Akongne Mbah I have been a professional nurse for over 4+ years , worked in a skilled nursing facility and as a home health nurse. IAH is my first acute care job and I have been here for 2 years and 10 months. I love working at IAH Unit 23 because of the teamwork. There are people to depend on. I find meaning in my work from the difference I make in lives of people. It’s the change I see in the patient from admission to discharge. Even for those who are not going home, it is the transition to peace and calm. That is where I find meaning to my work.

Akongne has achieved these roles and accolades:

  • Unit-Based Council Shared Governance Chair
  • CUSP Chair
  • DAISY Award Winner
  • Nursing Excellence Award Winner for Preceptor
  • Charge Nurse
 

Michael Davis, BSN, RN

Nurse Michael DavisI have been a nurse for a little over a year and IAH is my first job as professional nurse. I love working at IAH on 4N because of the team. Everyone is helpful. If it is something new, we help each other. You never feel alone. What brings meaning to my work is when you see that you have made a difference in someone’s life. Patients are often on our unit for long periods of time. You get to know them and see them improve their well-being.

Michael has achieved these roles and accolades:

  • Unit-Based Council on Fall Prevention
  • DAISY Award Winner
 

Christopher Maetzold, BSN, RN

Nurse Christopher MaetzoldI have been a nurse for 5-1/2 years and IAH was my first nursing job. I like working on Unit 23 because of the teamwork and my coworkers. I had previous career in telecommunications, and I wanted to take those skills apply them to having an impact on people. I find meaning in the fulfilling work and the success with treating patients.

Christopher has achieved these roles and accolades:

  • Unit-Based Council on Professional Development
  • Charge Nurse
  • DAISY Award Winner
 

Tatiana Semka, BSN, RN4

Nurse Tatiana SemkaI have been with IAH for 19 years. I stay because of the people here at IAH. What brings meaning to my work is exhibiting communication skills that help us communicate with patients and colleagues, sometimes at the worst life moments. There is no greater privilege than to be with people at the best and worst times of their lives.

Tatiana serves in the following roles:

  • Former Care Site Shared Governance Chair
  • Unit-Based Council Shared Governance Chair
  • Implementation Science Specialist
 

Samem Shabab, BSN, RN

Nurse Samem Shabab"I have been at Inova Alexandria Hospital (IAH) since 2017 in critical care. I love working at Alexandria because of the teamwork and the culture here. What brings meaning to my work in togetherness, this is key. What brings meaning to my work is being objective and setting goals for myself, my patient and for the team."

Samem serves in the following roles:

  • EBP and Research Shared Governance Council Chair
  • Site Principal Investigator for Research
  • Charge Nurse