Dean of SIUE School of Nursing “I remember standing by my mother’s kitchen stove one day, and she just said, ‘You know, you would be a really good nurse.’ And that just stuck in my mind. And then that plus, you know, being a candy striper.” That moment pivoted Judy Liesveld’s path into nursing and …
Defining Nursing from the Inside Out At Trinity Christian College, Tina Decker believes in nurses as professionals, skilled and educated practitioners whose impact reaches far beyond the bedside. That belief has shaped her work for more than 16 years as a nurse educator, where she has dedicated her career to preparing students to deliver safe, …
Strategic Initiative 1: Supporting Faculty Development Objectives Create a peer mentoring and leadership development platform. Advocate for increased funding and scholarships Strategic Initiative 2: Fostering Curricular Innovation Objectives Facilitate inter-institutional collaboration Develop a resource hub for AI use in nursing education Strategic Initiative 3: Enhancing Academic–Practice Partnerships Objectives Collaborate with stakeholders to create a statewide …
Amber Kujath serves as the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences at Illinois Wesleyan University, a role she stepped into in January 2023. As a proud Illinois Wesleyan alumna, her advancement to one of the highest levels of academia felt like a deeply personal homecoming. Her nursing journey, however, has been far from linear. Like …
Embracing the Pivot: Amber Kujath’s Journey from Bedside Nurse to Dean Read More »
Lorna Finnegan, Dean, Loyola University Chicago Nurse practitioner (NP) programs have a long history of producing safe and competent NPs; however, bold, transformative leadership is needed to set a minimum standard for quality NP education to support a 21st-century healthcare system. This paper is a call to action for leaders in NP education to transition …
Frank D. Hicks, PhD, RN, CNE, has spent decades working in nursing education. As the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Affairs at Rush University College of Nursing and the Chair of the Illinois Association of Colleges of Nursing (IACN), he plays a vital role in advocating for nursing faculty, students, and institutions across the …
Building the Future of Nursing: Frank Hicks and the Impact of IACN Read More »
Ensuring your nursing program meets CCNE’s Standard IV is essential for maintaining accreditation and demonstrating program effectiveness. Crafting clear, data-driven reports is key to showcasing your program’s success and driving continuous quality improvement. Check out this CCNE webinar session and learn more!
Frank D. Hicks, PhD, RN, CNE As nursing education evolves, so does the debate over the most appropriate academic pathway for nurse educators. In this OpEd, Dr. Hicks argues that the DNP with a nurse educator focus is an appropriate degree for nurse educators. He asserts that the nurse educator is an advanced nursing practice …
Academic-practice partnerships are collaborative relationships between nursing education institutions and healthcare organizations. These partnerships are designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and clinical practice, ensuring that nursing students receive a well-rounded education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. Key Characteristics of Academic-Practice Partnerships 1. Research, Innovation, Shared Goals Partnerships often involve …
Defining Academic-Practice Partnerships in Nursing Read More »
For years, Illinois’ nursing higher education institutions have faced a growing challenge: a shortage of nursing faculty. This crisis has significant implications for the future of healthcare in the state, affecting not only the education and training of aspiring nurses but also the overall quality of patient care. In this post, we will delve into …
Addressing the Nursing Faculty Shortage in Illinois: A Critical Examination Read More »
