
Registerd Nurse Carla Olson of Deerwood was recently promoted to Cuyuna Regional Medical Center's Director Professional Practice and Education. She had served as CRMC's Manager of Education since January 2020 after working as a Clinical Nurse Educator for one year.
Olson coordinates the activities of the nursing skills lab, teaches, and evaluates employees, and supports the development and maintenance of the simulation lab curriculum. She ensures competency-based orientation which provides for demonstration of principles necessary to provide appropriate service and assures the safety of all patients and visitors. She also works in conjunction with department leaders to assess and set learning objectives for new staff and provides ongoing competency-based education for staff.
Olson previously was an educator, charge nurse and direct patient care giver at Centra Care in St. Cloud for 26 years. She is nationally certified in Professional Staff Development, demonstrating her commitment to promoting life-long learning and professional growth. Olson also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Minnesota State University-Moorhead and earned an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences at North Hennepin Community College. Outside of work she enjoys gardening, spending time on the lake, baking and family.