Bernard named 6 South Nurse Director

Allison Bernard, DNP, MSN, RN, has been named Nurse Director on 6 South, a role in which she has been serving as interim since June of 2018.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Bernard began her nursing career in Glasgow, Scotland where she earned a nursing diploma at Stobhill Hospital.

Bernard moved to the United States to further her nursing career and earned her BSN at Seattle University and her MSN at Northeastern University. Later, she earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Northeastern University where she discovered her love of research.

Throughout her career, Bernard has transitioned back and forth between nursing leadership and teaching. She has taught at Roxbury Community College, Simmons College, UMass Boston and most recently Regis College. As a nurse leader, she has worked as a Nurse Manager at Brockton Hospital and Boston Medical Center and as a Director of Nursing at Metrowest Medical Center. Prior to taking on her new role as Nurse Director on 6 South, Bernard was a per diem Nursing Supervisor at BWFH and studying for a PhD at Capella University.

Of her decision to take on the challenge of nursing operations here at BWFH she says, “Hopefully, based on my background and experience, I am able to influence change and influence patient outcomes, especially for the underserved patient population and the culturally diverse patient population.”

So far, Bernard is very happy with her decision. “This is where change is happening,” she says of BWFH. “People are really becoming very interested in influencing patient outcomes using evidence-based practice. Plus, everyone is friendly and professional and tries to make a difference.”

Bernard’s love of learning extends beyond her career as a nurse. She studies dance through the Arthur Murray School of Dance. “The Waltz is my favorite because it’s the most challenging for me,” she says. “You have to hold your head up at all times.” She also enjoys biking, gardening and reading when she is not at work.