Diane M. Twedell, DNP, RN, CENP, FAAN, FAONL
Mayo Clinic Health System
What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
Have always had a great interest in political process and the nursing voice is trusted by the public and policy makers!
How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
I became a FNINR ambassador in 2018.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Get your facts together and use your voice to make change. Do not be afraid to use your voice!
What made you want to pursue a career in nursing?
My grandparents lived with us while I was growing up and I was greatly influenced by the care my grandmother received from nurses while she was terminally ill while I was a teenager. We were able to take care of her in our family home when she passed away long before hospice care was available as a service in our community. My mind was made up about what was the career path for me - I wanted to make a difference in people's lives.
What book should every nurse read?
We Know How This Ends: Living While Dying written by Bruce Kramer and Cathy Wurzer
What has been your most interesting/surprising outcome while conducting nursing research?
The insight that every single nurse has the capacity to be involved in nursing research and that it awakens your spirit of discovery and "what if"?
What is a fun fact many people may not know about you?
I once danced with Jim Belushi at the House of Blues in Los Angeles and kept myself upright :-)
About Diane
Diane Twedell DNP, RN, CENP, FAAN, FAONL is an emeritus member of the Mayo Clinic nursing administrative staff in Rochester, Minnesota. She has served in a variety of nursing leadership roles at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS) including Assistant Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department, Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department, Clinical Director of Critical Care, Nurse Administrator for Education and Professional Development, Chief Nursing Officer in the MCHS, and Nurse Administrator of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Minnesota and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Rush University. She was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2021. Diane is an active member of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (MOLN) and has served on the Board of Directors representing Region 6. She is a past president of the Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing. She is an accomplished author of journal articles, textbook chapters, and has served as the Associate Editor of the Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. Diane has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally on a variety of clinical and leadership topics. Diane has actively represented Minnesota nursing on legislative issues and has a great interest in advancing nursing’s voice on policy matters.
