Erin Henley Named 2023 Arkansas Center for Nursing’s 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40

Please join us in celebrating Erin Henley, RN, BSN, for being chosen as a 2023 Arkansas Center for Nursing’s 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40!

Erin works 8 West/Behavioral Health at the Infirmary. She got her nursing license in 2019 and started working for our ministry in March 2021.

This recognition is intended to identify, celebrate, and encourage exemplary dedication and leadership in the nursing profession. Recipients have been selected through a highly competitive nomination process which focused on their commitment to excellence, service and outreach within their community, leadership qualities, and contributions to the advancement of the nursing profession.

In October, there will be a special Recognition Ceremony to recognize all the recipients including Erin!

“I think it is a great honor, especially since I was nominated by a peer. I haven’t been a PCC for too long (since November of 2022), so to already be nominated for a leadership award makes me feel like I’m on the right track, as there is always room for improvement and areas to grow in,” said Erin.

Erin said nursing wasn’t always a part of her plan. She actually started off as a Veterinarian Technician.

“I loved it, but there were not very many opportunities to excel in Arkansas, so I was encouraged to become a nurse. I found my passion in Psychiatric Nursing. My favorite part is when you can physically see a client clear up,” said Erin.

She just graduated with her BSN and plans to eventually continue on to get her DNP in Psych.

Fun facts about Erin:

  • She’ll celebrate her two year wedding anniversary on November 19.
  • She loves animals, especially cats.
    “I brought two wooden cats back from Thailand in 2019. Trying to get them back home was a struggle, but they are now sitting by my fireplace.”
  • She loves to travel; it doesn’t matter how close or far, she just likes to go. She recently went paragliding over the Swiss Alps for her honeymoon!
  • Considers herself a sucker for live music, it doesn’t matter the genre.