Meet Justin Rodriguez: BCEN’s 2025 Distinguished CTRN Award Winner
On April 23, BCEN was proud to announce our 2025 Distinguished CTRN Award winner:
Justin Rodriguez, RN, CEN, CCRN, CFRN, CTRN, CPEN, TCRN, MICN
Specialty Care Transport Unit (SCTU) Coordinator
Inspira Health
Millville, New Jersey
Grounded in a Passion for Critical Care Transport Nursing
As the SCTU (Specialty Care Transport Unit) Coordinator for Inspira Health’s Ground Transport/EMS, a vital role for ground critical care transport services in New Jersey, Justin spends a great deal of time focusing on clinical management in the form of clinical education, QA/QI, and assists with the development of clinical protocols and annual skills competencies.
Justin’s love of his specialty is apparent just by being around him. In his drive to succeed in ground transport nursing, he has earned multiple advanced certifications including the CTRN. He challenges peers and newer nurses to not just obtain certifications, but to incorporate the concepts and understanding of pathophysiology into their daily practice, sharing how certification has contributed to his growth as a well-rounded clinician and effective clinical leader.
On truck as often as he’s behind the desk, Justin practices what he preaches as a proactive transport nurse who ensures his patients receive the best care they can during their time with him.
Helping to elevate the relatively new transport program, he has developed SCTU protocols and policies. In collaboration with his medical director, he has added multiple critical care medications to the unit formulary and helps assure all staff are competent in their use.
What does this award mean to you?
This award validates the dedication and hard work I’ve put into mastering my craft as a critical care transport RN, reinforcing my commitment to continuous learning. It also inspires me to encourage my team to pursue growth through advanced certifications and ongoing education, fostering excellence in our field.
How has holding the CTRN credential impacted your daily practice and your nursing career path?
Holding the CTRN credential has pushed me to expand beyond traditional nursing and EMS knowledge, allowing me to apply both of those skill sets in high-stakes environments to ensure the safest outcomes for my patients. This certification has not only deepened my clinical expertise but also empowered me to grow as a leader and an advocate for excellence in critical care transport.
What difference has being board certified in critical care ground transport nursing made for your patients and their families?
The CTRN credential reflects my dedication to delivering the highest level of care, even in challenging out-of-hospital environments. It reassures my patients and their families that, despite the challenges of not having access to a full array of hospital resources, they are in capable hands.
“I have been working alongside Justin for over six years. When we met, he was a relatively new transport RN, but clinically was dialed in, asking the right questions and providing competent and appropriate clinical care like a veteran in the field.
Being younger and determined to practice care that is patient-centered and evidence-based, he keeps me on my toes and makes me want to be better despite my almost 30 years of practice.
…He has been an instrumental part of improving and developing our team into a professional and clinically competent ground critical care team. As a leader, he has been able to identify areas in need of improvement and be a true agent of change. Justin challenges all of our nurses to be better and to challenge themselves, actively discussing opportunities for improvement without a punitive tone when providing QA and clinical guidance.
He lives and breathes critical care transport and is on truck as often as he is in the office, leading by example and providing transformational leadership. He provides excellent clinical care, and it is a joy for me to perform QA on his charts and seeing his clinical decision making often resulting in clear clinical improvements.”
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