Nursing Division
Kim Slusser, MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer ad interim
MD Anderson¡¯s nursing community transforms nursing care through clinical practice, education and research. Each day, more than 5,000 registered nurses deliver compassionate, evidence-based cancer care to patients and their families.
Nurses in all areas of MD Anderson are integral members of interdisciplinary teams that are leading the way in setting standards for innovative cancer care, including advances in immunotherapy and personalized medicine. With one of the largest clinical trial programs in the world, MD Anderson offers a collaborative environment that empowers nurses to lead in the administration of research therapies and the required ongoing monitoring. As treatments become more complex, our nurses continue to develop and implement new discoveries.
Our nurses demonstrate excellence in a variety of areas and roles, including in our hospital and ambulatory care settings in the Texas Medical Center and Houston-area locations. We have a high number of nurses who maintain certifications to provide specialty care to patients of all ages. We have bachelor¡¯s, master¡¯s and doctorate-prepared practitioners and leaders across all academic, educational, administrative and research programs.
Since 2001, MD Anderson has earned six consecutive Magnet Recognition Program? designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which recognizes health care organizations for superior patient outcomes, teamwork and innovations in professional nursing practice.
This designation is one of the reasons MD Anderson is consistently ranked among the nation¡¯s top hospitals for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report¡¯s ¡°Best Hospitals¡± survey.
Nursing by the Numbers
5000+
registered nurses
87%
of nurses earned bachelor degrees or higher
64%
specialty certification rate
Nursing Professional Practice Model
MD Anderson's Nursing Professional Practice Model (PPM) represents how key elements of professional nursing practice at MD Anderson connect to each other. The PPM is based on The Quality-Caring model, developed by Joanne Duffy, Ph.D., RN, FAAN. All PPM components operate within the context of MD Anderson's Core Values of Caring, Integrity, Safety, Discovery and Stewardship.
Developed by frontline nurses, the PPM includes open hand imagery, which is a universal sign of caring, and colors that reflect the breadth of caregivers and patients at MD Anderson.
Why Nurses Choose MD Anderson
Nursing Annual Report FY25: Excellence That Endures
A message from the Chief Nursing Officer ad interim
At UT MD Anderson, excellence is not defined by a single moment, it is sustained through the dedication, compassion and expertise of our nursing community every day. This year¡¯s theme, Excellence that Endures, reflects both who we are and the standard we continue to uphold for our patients, families and one another.
In FY25, that commitment was recognized on a global stage as we achieved our sixth consecutive Magnet designation¡ªand our first Magnet Recognition with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This milestone places UT MD Anderson among a select group of organizations worldwide and affirms what we know to be true: our nurses consistently deliver high-quality care, lead innovation and shape the future of oncology nursing through strong interdisciplinary collaboration.
The past year has also been marked by significant progress across UT MD Anderson Nursing. The Meyers Institute for Oncology Nursing celebrated its one-year anniversary, expanding opportunities in leadership development, scholarship and well-being. The launch of the Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy further strengthened our commitment to developing current and future leaders. Across all care delivery settings, nurses led impactful work in quality improvement, research and innovation¡ªfrom the critical role of glycemic management resource nurses in achieving national Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Certification, to advancing research focused on improving physical activity for stem cell transplant patients to support the transition from hospital to home.
DAISY Award
The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. As a proud DAISY Award Partner, MD Anderson has recognized more than 150 deserving inpatient and outpatient nurses since 2012. In addition, The DAISY Foundation has provided several grants to support our registered nurses who continually seek lifelong learning and explore best and evidence-based practices through research and innovation. DAISY honorees are nominated by their peers, physicians, patients and families, and other staff and administrators. To nominate a nurse, please complete a .
Nurses on the Front Line
