My guiding wisdom, from Proverbs 31:25: "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."
Cassandra Vonnes, DNP, GNP-BC, APRN, GS-C, AOCNP, EBP-C, CPHQ, AGSF, FAHA, FAAN · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Cassandra
Cassandra Vonnes is a distinguished geriatric nurse practitioner and patient advocate whose career spanning more than three decades has left an indelible mark on the fields of geriatric nursing, oncology, and healthcare education. After beginning her journey in critical care, she pursued advanced training and earned her master's degree as a nurse practitioner specializing in geriatric nursing in the mid-1990s, going on to practice across internal medicine, nephrology, and cardiovascular settings before dedicating nine years to shaping the next generation of nurses as faculty at the University of South Florida. She then channeled her expertise into geriatric oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center — an NCI-designated institution — where she served for nearly eleven years as a clinical coordinator and disruptive innovator, leading her team to achieve recognition as the first cancer center in the United States and the first hospital in Florida to be designated as Committed to Care Excellence for the Older Adult through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative. Throughout her career, Sandi has been driven by an unwavering commitment to evidence-informed practice, quality improvement, and interprofessional collaboration. Her scholarly contributions span funded research, published manuscripts, and initiatives addressing fall prevention, delirium screening, and advanced care planning, reflecting her belief that rigorous science and compassionate care are inseparable. She holds an impressive array of advanced certifications and has been honored with numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing award from the National Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence, the GAPNA Excellence in Leadership award, and the American Geriatric Society Fellow designation — all of which affirm her standing as a thought leader committed to elevating standards across the profession. Her induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing remains among her most personally meaningful achievements, representing the culmination of a career devoted to advancing nursing science and improving outcomes for older adults. Since retiring from full-time clinical work in 2025, Sandi has embarked on a new chapter as the founder of Change AGEnt LLC, a geriatric education and consulting practice through which she continues to influence long-term care and nurse practitioner education. She remains actively engaged in the professional community as a member of the Gerontologic Advanced Practice Nurses Association — where she co-hosts the GAPNA Chat podcast — a board member of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology's Nursing and Allied Health division, president-elect of the Florida Association of Healthcare Quality, and a policy committee member of the American Geriatrics Society. Her volunteer service through the AARP Nurse Leadership Board, the American Red Cross, and Florida's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Priority Area Workgroup further reflects her dedication to advocacy beyond the clinic. Guided by the enduring values of integrity and kindness, Sandi Vonnes continues to champion evidence-informed geriatric care, mentor emerging nurse leaders, and inspire a profession she has devoted her life to advancing.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cassandra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being a lifelong learner driven by genuine curiosity and a deep commitment to excellence in every role I have held. Whenever I have transitioned into a new specialty or position, I have made it a priority to immerse myself fully in that field — for example, when I moved into oncology, I dedicated myself to learning everything I could about cancer care and completing certification as an Advanced Oncology Nurse Practitioner in order to build credibility and truly serve my patients. That same drive to understand, grow, and contribute at the highest level has guided my entire career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most meaningful career advice I ever received came from my mother. When I was majoring in German and psychology in the 1970s, she encouraged me to choose a path that would provide a reliable, steady income. That practical wisdom led me to nursing — a path she and her sister had taken — and what began as a pragmatic decision became a profound calling that has shaped my entire professional life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to be intentional and goal-oriented from the start. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the full scope of a career, break your aspirations into manageable, time-bound goals — five-year and ten-year targets — and identify the concrete steps required to reach each one. Actively seek out leadership opportunities, even at the local level, and pursue experiences such as workshops or presenting your work to peers. Most importantly, be fearless. Do not shy away from tasks that challenge or stretch you beyond your comfort zone — those are often the experiences that define and accelerate your growth.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the most pressing challenges we face today is the widespread prevalence of misinformation. Patients and their families frequently arrive having encountered inaccurate health information online, and it is our responsibility as nurses to guide them back to evidence-informed care with both clarity and compassion. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity in the growing need for geriatric expertise. As our population continues to age, geriatric care is becoming relevant across virtually every nursing specialty, and the geriatric nursing community is uniquely positioned to lead — united by a spirit of collegiality and a shared commitment to our patients, captured in our motto: "We are your people."
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and kindness are the values I hold most dear, both professionally and personally. Nursing is consistently recognized as the most trusted profession, and that distinction carries a responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards in everything we do. Equally important is kindness — showing genuine grace and compassion toward our colleagues, our patients, and ourselves. This has been especially meaningful in the years following the pandemic, when so many in our profession have needed support, understanding, and care from one another.
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