Dr. Dorothy M. Swanson, DNP, CNOR, RNFA

Dr. Dorothy M. Swanson, DNP, CNOR, RNFA, is a highly accomplished Doctor of Nursing Practice and perioperative nursing leader with over five decades of experience in hospital-based nursing. She began her nursing career in 1972 and quickly developed a passion for the operating room during her student nurse training. Throughout her career, she has served at Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California, as a key member of the open-heart cardiothoracic team and as coordinator for DaVinci robotic-assisted surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatrics. Her clinical expertise spans perioperative patient safety, complex surgical procedures, and evidence-based practice implementation.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Swanson has made significant contributions to nursing education and professional development. She has taught nursing research, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking at California State University, Northridge, and has mentored countless nurses and graduate students throughout her career. Her leadership in quality improvement, workflow optimization, and patient safety has influenced both operational performance and nursing education, emphasizing accountability, lifelong learning, and a culture of clinical excellence.

Dr. Swanson’s dedication to nursing extends beyond the hospital and classroom. She actively volunteers with Casa Pacifica in Camarillo, supporting vulnerable populations, and remains committed to lifelong learning by engaging with professional journals such as the Association of Operating Room Nurses Journal. Her career reflects a relentless pursuit of excellence, a passion for teaching, and a profound commitment to improving patient outcomes and advancing the next generation of nursing professionals.

• Ventura College – Associate in Science
• California State University, Dominguez Hills – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• California State University, Dominguez Hills – Master of Science in Nursing, Administration with minor in Education
• Capella University – Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Leadership

• Registered Nurse First Assistant
• Certified Nurse Operating Room
• Doctor of Nursing Practice

• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
• National Society of Leadership and Success

• Association of Operating Room Nurses
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
• Cardiovascular Nursing Association
• Pediatric Nurses Association

• Casa Pacifica

Contributions to nursing education in the academic setting at California State University, Northridge

Regularly reads and engages with Association of Operating Room Nurses Journal to maintain clinical knowledge