Title: Registered Nurse
Company: Harvard University
Location: Wilmington, Massachusetts, United States
Denise L. Shanning, BS, RN, registered nurse at Harvard University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Nurses for dedication, achievements, and leadership in health care.
Ms. Shanning has built her reputation as a nurse for over 20 years, leading to her current role at Harvard University. She joined Harvard University in 2019, offering her skills as an urgent care nurse and a charge nurse. Ms. Shanning works directly with the internal medicine practice, educating staff on best practices and patients on self-care. She has earned her esteemed position through her wide range of experience; she has garnered expertise in providing care to people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly.
Before stepping into her current position, Ms. Shanning contributed as a registered nurse at Cambridge Health Alliance and Emerson Hospital. She honed her skills as an assistant nurse manager in the emergency department at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Ms. Shanning established herself working as an emergency registered nurse at Winchester Hospital beginning in 2004 and Tufts Medical Center beginning in 2002. In addition to her primary vocation, she has owned and operated her own business, Home Spa Designs, since 2006.
A strong education of her own provided the foundation for Ms. Shanning’s career. After completing coursework in finance and psychology at Campbell University, she obtained an Associate Degree in Nursing from Massachusetts Bay Community College in 1991. Ms. Shanning initially intended to focus on baby delivery and women’s health, but she discovered that she enjoyed the wider world of generalized nursing. Subsequently, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2018. As a commitment to continued learning, Ms. Shanning has maintained membership in the Emergency Nurses Association and the Massachusetts Nurses Association.
Ms. Shanning’s professional path has been forged by her belief that people have a social responsibility to care for each other. This conviction is why she chose to become a nurse, and it’s an attitude she takes into every aspect of her life. Known for her contributions as a civic-minded citizen outside of her career, Ms. Shanning regularly volunteers at The Greater Boston Food Bank, the homelessness advocacy group Pine Street Inn and her local church. She also supports the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
A strong proponent of the power and importance of leadership, Ms. Shanning has become recognized in her field for living those values. Her work has been applauded through such accolades as the Highest of Five Award and the Team Excellence Award for Boston Marathon Day from Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Ms. Shanning attributes her success to the support of her colleagues and her ability to keep a positive mindset.
Beyond her professional life, Ms. Shanning is a devoted wife and mother to twins. She enjoys cooking, gardening, cycling and kayaking in her free time, balancing her hard work with an active lifestyle. In planning for the future, Ms. Shanning is excited that she has been asked to participate in process improvement projects at Harvard University’s on-site medical facility. While continuing in her nursing role, she is eager to contribute to larger products that will shape the future of the organization. Ms. Shannon looks forward to taking on new responsibilities that allow her to have a broader impact on her workplace.
Contact Ms. Shanning: