From left to right, Sherri Atherton, Sue B. Davidson, and Ann Busch at a retirement party for Sue in 2013.

Sue B. Davidson, PhD, RN, CNS, was a shining example of commitment to the profession of nursing and its advancement.  During her long career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) she excelled in all three spheres of impact:  patients, nurses and the health care team, and organizational systems.  In the patient sphere, care of the diabetic patient was a passion of hers.  In the nursing sphere, with high standards and intellectual rigor, she prepared CNS students to succeed in their practice.  Former students remember her with respect as well as her challenge to always practice at your best.  Dr. Davidson also extensively worked with staff nurses and found great joy in helping them improve their practice.  She joined the staff of the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) and led its Professional Services department from 1999 through 2013.  Among her many goals was to improve the data used for decisions made by and on behalf of nursing clinicians, most specifically staff nurses.  She also was responsible for expanding the role of ONA in continuing education.  Following passage of the first hospital staffing law she toured the state presenting the language, interpretation, and recommendations for implementing it in a variety of types of facilities.  And she stewarded a major improvement in the law bringing together nurses from across the state and organizations.   

The advancement of CNS practice was a major goal for Dr. Davidson which she addressed at both the state and national level.  In Oregon, she supported CNSs across the state working both in the legislative arena and with regulatory boards to insure that there was strong authority for their practice.  She was instrumental in having the state of Oregon be a national trailblazer for CNS full practice authority.  Dr. Davidson was a founding member of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) and volunteered in many roles for the organization.  She served two nonconsecutive terms as President of NACNS and was a Board Member for many years.  Dr. Davidson was an active member of the NACNS (CNSI) Foundation and chaired the NACNS Research Committee for years.  To honor her tireless work for NACNS, the NACNS Susan B. Davidson Service Award was named for her.

While nursing was clearly her life, Dr. Davidson, together with her husband Drew, had a flair for fine decoration and brought it to many events in her professional life.  She believed in celebration with style!

Many of us were privileged to work with Dr. Davidson.  Her warm interactions, quirky sense of humor, and intellect are remembered.  Dr. Davidson’s numerous contributions will be missed by those of us who knew her as well as our fellow colleagues who still benefit from her work.