Michele Bunning MSN, RN, CNE, CMSRN

Michele Bunning MSN, RN, CNE, CMSRN

Michele’s passion for nursing began as a child; she knew from a young age that she wanted to be a nurse. Michele obtained her diploma in nursing from Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing located in Cincinnati, OH in 1979. Michele worked as a floor nurse and charge nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital where she cared for patients with various ailments. Michele never shied away from caring for those most in need.

In 1991, Michele began a new journey in her career and became an associate professor at the Good Samaritan College of Nursing with the hopes of sharing her love of nursing with her students both within the classroom and the clinical setting. Throughout her career, Michele has had many accomplishments including obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through Xavier University, and a Masters Degree in Nursing through the University of Cincinnati. Michele has also served as a site visitor for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and was also an item writer for the National Council State Board of Nursing (NCSBN). Michele has been the recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award and the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Michele has also obtained the following certifications: certified nurse educator and board certified medical-surgical nurse.

Although these accomplishments and awards are impressive, the most important takeaway from Michele’s career is her unwavering passion for the profession of nursing and igniting that passion in the thousands of nursing students that she has taught. Michele encouraged her nursing students to share their knowledge, compassion, and care within the community. Michele and her nursing students would visit with individuals at a local community kitchen, check their blood pressures and supply the homeless with socks, toiletries, coats, and other goods. Being a registered nurse was never just a career for Michele, it is a part of who she is. Michele defines herself as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a nurse.

After 44 years as a registered nurse and 30 years of serving as a nurse educator, Michele made the decision to retire in January of 2022. Michele has cared for thousands of patients, taught hundreds of nursing classes, and taught thousands of nursing students throughout her career. A former student of Michele’s has said “They say that nurses impact the lives of their patients every day – you impacted people’s lives exponentially more by training, educating, and guiding us in how to be smart and caring nurses.” Another student has said of Michele “I still remember the caring compassionate ways Mrs. Bunning taught each of her students! Proud to have learned so much from you!” A former colleague had the following to say when Michele announced her retirement, “You have inspired so many people throughout your career, saved so many lives, and changed the nursing world for better just by leaving your footprint in this most trusted profession we call Nursing. Not only have you provided top-notch education to so many students over the years, but you also provided that same education to so many patients, their families, doctors, peers, and even your daughter was touched and inspired by your love, passion, and giving heart that she followed in your footsteps.”

Although Michele has retired, she will ALWAYS be a nurse and will continue to share that passion with others.