Suzanne P. Smith, EdD, RN, FAAN

Editor-in-Chief, Nurse Educator, Since 1981
Consulting Editor, The Journal of Nursing Administration (since 2011)

Years as Editor: Since 1981
Years in INANE: Since 1981

Prior Editor Position: Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Nursing Administration (1981-2011)

Accomplishment: Seeing JONA become one of the top ten high impact nursing journals in the ISI Journal Citation Reports’ Impact factor listing. Personally, I am gratified to have mentored and helped develop Marija from Slovenia. She submitted an incomprehensible paper, based on her Master’s thesis. After many emails, we became colleagues and friends. Marija came to Florida, joined Sigma Theta Tau, earned a doctorate, networked across America and now is a university professor, as well as being well published and in demand for consultation with her European colleagues.

Best: Nothing beats the good feeling of joy and excitement in seeing first-time published authors.

Worst: Rejecting an enthusiastic, idealistic author who has submitted a poorly written manuscript with inappropriate content. Just doesn’t “get it” and can’t see feedback as an opportunity for improvement

Three words: Colleagues say: great sense of humor, enthusiastic, committed, diligent, competent, persistent, honest, kind

Strangest request: Many requests are strange because authors simply do not know the process. One of my favorites was an author who submitted a paper with a cover letter, listing all the life events that had delayed her submitting the paper after an inquiry 8 years ago. But—all was in order and here was her paper!

If not editor?: In mid-career, I would have said lawyer. Today, as I plan retirement, the answer is “do nothing.” Then volunteer at an animal shelter or hospital, go into local politics, be a guardian ad litem, and learn how to hang glide.

Relax?: I don’t.

Note: This page was included in the Who’s Who on the INANE website. We’ve added it here as part of our memorial tribute to Suzanne. Peggy and Leslie