Her Story
About Andrea
Andrea M. Smith, MSN-FN, RN, LNC, is a respected nurse educator, forensic nurse, legal nurse consultant, and healthcare executive with more than 36 years of experience spanning clinical practice, healthcare leadership, quality improvement, compliance, and nursing education. She currently serves as a tenure-track nursing faculty member in Washington, where she is dedicated to preparing the next generation of nurses through evidence-based instruction, leadership development, and patient-centered care. Smith also founded S.I.S. Sisters in Sync a Mentorship and Leadership Coaching, an initiative focused on empowering women through mentorship, professional development, and leadership excellence. Smith's healthcare career began while serving as a medic at Walter Reed Army Medical Center during Operation Desert Storm, where she earned her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credential while on active duty. Throughout her distinguished career, she has practiced in long-term care, critical care, hospice, home health, pediatrics, and assisted living, spending more than 25 years in senior care leadership roles, including Executive Director, Regional Care Coordinator, and Director of Clinical Services. In 2019, she advanced from LPN to Registered Nurse, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, became a Legal Nurse Consultant, and later completed a Master of Nursing with a specialization in Forensic Nursing. Today, she combines her extensive clinical expertise with her passion for education, preparing future nurse leaders while consulting on healthcare quality, compliance, patient safety, and forensic nursing initiatives. Driven by a lifelong commitment to advocacy and innovation, Smith is currently pursuing advanced studies while developing a specialized platform focused on geriatric sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) education and care. She has presented her work at professional symposiums and continues to share her expertise at regional and national conferences, advancing conversations surrounding forensic nursing, workplace violence prevention, and patient advocacy. Smith attributes her success to her unwavering faith, her passion for advocating for patients and mentoring others, and her belief in the principle that "iron sharpens iron." Through every role she undertakes, she remains committed to strengthening the nursing profession by cultivating confident, compassionate, and highly skilled healthcare leaders. Andrea is a regional and national speaker whose work focuses on forensic nursing, workplace violence prevention, leadership, patient advocacy, and innovative approaches to nursing education. Through every role she serves, she is committed to equipping healthcare professionals to recognize opportunities for advocacy, lead with confidence, and improve patient outcomes.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Andrea
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first to my faith, which has guided my purpose and strengthened my perseverance throughout my career. I also credit an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning and advocacy. I've always believed that the more I learn, the more effectively I can serve others not only my patients, but also my students, colleagues, and future nurse leaders. My personal philosophy is rooted in Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." I believe our greatest success is measured not only by what we accomplish ourselves, but by how we help others grow as well.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I have received was to think beyond the bedside and recognize that the skills I've developed throughout my career are transferable. Nursing opens doors far beyond direct patient care. Those experiences prepared me to become an educator, speaker, consultant, and leader. That advice challenged me to stop limiting myself and start seeing opportunities where I could educate, advocate, and make an even greater impact.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never underestimate the impact you can have on someone's life. Patients often meet us during the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and how we care for them matters. Learn to advocate not only for your patients, but also for yourself and your profession. Stay curious, continue learning, seek mentors, and don't be afraid to pursue opportunities beyond what you initially imagined. Nursing is more than a career; it is a platform to lead, influence, and create meaningful change.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Healthcare is evolving rapidly, creating both challenges and incredible opportunities. Staffing shortages, burnout, and workplace violence continue to affect the profession, but they also highlight the need for innovative leadership, stronger advocacy, and new approaches to education. I encourage nurses to think beyond completing tasks and instead focus on solving problems, leading change, and improving systems. The opportunities in nursing today are virtually limitless for those willing to continue learning, embrace leadership, and think beyond traditional roles.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Advocacy, integrity, lifelong learning, and service are the values that guide both my professional and personal life. I believe education empowers people to reach excellence, and advocacy ensures every voice is heard. Whether I'm caring for patients, teaching future nurses, mentoring women leaders, or speaking to healthcare professionals, my goal is always the same to leave people stronger, more confident, and better equipped than when I met them. I strive to live by the belief that "as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
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