AACN in Washington DC

November 2, 2009

It is impossible to be in Washington DC without experiencing the amalgamation of nation’s history with the expectancy of the future. The streets around the White House and the Capitol are filled with the energy of people who are moving with a sense of determination and people who are speaking passionately about their agendas. Strategically placed in the midst of this fervor is the American Association of Colleges of Nursing who is celebrating 40 years of being the national voice for America's baccalaureate- and higher-degree nursing education programs. Much has been accomplished in the past 40 years, accreditation of our programs of nursing residing in institutions of higher education, increased funding for nursing research and education and new models of educational programs such as the Clinical Nurse Leader and the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. We who teach in these programs are indebted to the leadership of this organization and all that they have done to support our programs and our agendas.

Nursing Education

October 19, 2009

“It is evident…that leadership in nursing…is of supreme importance at this time. Nursing has faced many critical situations in its long history, but probably none more critical than the situation it is now in, and none in which the possibilities, both of serious loss and of substantial advance, are greater. What the outcome will be depends in large measure on the kind of leadership the nursing profession can give in planning for the future and in solving stubborn and perplexing problems…if past experience is any criterion, little constructive action will be taken without intelligent and courageous leadership.”

What a profound statement and so reflective of the issues in nursing practice and education today. Although, I just returned from attending the Southern Regional Education Board for Nursing meeting in Atlanta, this statement was not made at that meeting. This statement was made by Isabel Maitland Stewart over fifty years ago when she wrote about reform in nursing education.

However, throughout the 4 day meeting, there was not a conversation, in which I participated, that the theme of nursing educational reform was not mentioned. Faculty from each institution represented at this meeting were dealing with balancing budget issues while advancing new programs, enrolling adequate numbers of students, and supporting faculty scholarship. The reoccurring expressed solution was education redesign or simply put…..we cannot keep doing it the same way and maintain academic quality or prepare graduates to practice safely in today’s health care environment.

Staying on Target

September 22, 2009

This past Saturday, Southern Miss played Virginia in a football game in the Rock. The game which started out shaky at best with fans sensing that we may be “over our head”, and which continued to provide moments of exhilaration followed by moments of frustration, culminated in a victory that left the crowd breathless, euphoric, and with a sense of great pride. Lessons are to be taken from this football game. It is easy to take our eyes off the target or the vision and have feelings of being overwhelmed, frustrated, and unsure of how we will make it through future budget cuts. Yet, the victory is within our grasp. Undoubtedly, we will need a revised game plan, we will experience frustrations, maybe even setbacks, but when it is over, we will remain the Southern Miss School of Nursing with a history of tradition and quality programs. Diverse, Innovative, and Inspired.

Excitement of First Football Weekend

September 8, 2009

Excitement mounted last week in the hallways and classrooms of the Son and on the campus of the university in anticipation of the first football weekend. The first weekend of football at Southern Miss is characterized by passion for the Eagles, hope for a winning season, dreams of a conference title and bowl game, and joy at being able to spend time with friends and family. The weekend was successful. Expectations were realized with record breaking attendance at the game, a victory for the Eagles, and laughter, music and great food at tailgates all over the university. May the excitement, passion and fun carry forward in the School of Nursing throughout this Fall semester.

Southern Miss to the top and Southern Miss School of Nursing to the top.

New Academic Year and New Academic Program

August 19, 2009

It is so exciting to begin a new academic year and to welcome back all returning students and faculty to the regular academic year. Meeting all the new undergraduate and graduate students in the SON multiple orientations over the past two days provides a positive and exhilarating environment. The activity level, number of students, and chatter in the halls of both the Hattiesburg and Coast campus has increased.

In addition to the exhilaration of a new academic year, the faculty in the School of Nursing is very energized by the admission of the inaugural class of students enrolled in our new Doctor of Nursing Practice program. We are pleased with the enthusiasm of these students as they start this program.

Lesson learned from the Southern Miss Baseball Team

June 11, 2009

You do not have to like baseball, to love the Southern Miss Baseball team and to be excited about their performance that has taken them to the College baseball World Series in Omaha. Many lessons can be learned from their journey to Omaha. They achieved their goal in spite of, a season of wins and losses, in spite of not winning the conference title, and in spite of not being nationally ranked in the polls. They achieved their goal because they united as a team and decided that they would take control of their destination, instead of letting others predict their performance. As one ESPN announcer stated, No one told them they were supposed to lose in the regional and super regional competition. Recently, the request from the faculty of the School of Nursing to become a College of Nursing was denied. This was a disappointment since the proposal was based upon the ability to move the program to the next level. We can learn from the lessons of our baseball team, be united, take control of our success, and stay in the game.

Southern Miss to the top and Southern Miss School of Nursing to the top.

Memories from another Academic Year

May 12, 2009

Last week was a week of celebration.  We celebrated Nurses’ Week, Recognition Ceremony for our graduates, and graduation.  We celebrated our students’ success and achievement of a milestone in their lives.  We celebrated our survival  and a job well done.                        
It is natural at the end of the term to reflect, to remember, and to capture our thoughts into memories.   What do you remember?   Maybe, you remember a student interaction, a moment when clarity emerged, or a goal was accomplished.  
My memories include the collaborative teamwork within the school of nursing to accomplish the mission of teaching, service, and scholarship, the doctoral students who completed this program, the undergraduate students sitting in the hall or LRC, and the donors who provided financial support for our endeavor.
As we reflect on this past year, we may be surprised to note that most of our memories are the ‘small things’, the acts of kindness, the words of encouragement, and the times of laughter.  As this academic year closes, I will borrow from the song and say;  Thanks for the Memories.

Monday, Monday

March 30, 2009

“Monday Monday, can't trust that day, Monday Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way.”  (The Mamas and The Papas)

So often, Mondays, are difficult.  To be honest, in the School of Nursing, our Monday  started off with a few challenges related to computers in the computer lab that made giving the HESI exit exam difficult for faculty, staff, and students.  However, this afternoon made up for any challenges that had occurred earlier in the day. 

 I attended the Founders’ Day celebration honoring the university’s 99th anniversary.  It was refreshing to see some many outstanding students winning university awards and to hear the future plans for these students, most of who will be attending some well known universities with outstanding graduate programs.  It just made one proud to be associated with Southern Miss.

What became the icing on the cake was the fact that Pamela Dickerson, a Hattiesburg nursing student who will be graduating this May received the prestigious Judge R.J. Bishop Mississippian award.  This award was for the student who endured economic, family or physical hardships to pursue their education so that they, their children and other Mississippians might have a better life.  Pamela is truly a deserving recipient of this award.  In addition, another senior nursing student, Jeremy Hard presided over the inauguration of the new SGA officers.  He did an outstanding job. 

So to end with The Mamas and Papas, “ Monday Monday, so good to me,
Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be.”

Challenge the Process.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The other day, as I was cleaning out a room, I found a book written by two of my favorite leadership authors, Kouzes and Posner titled, The Leadership Challenge.: How to Keep Getting Extraordinary Things Done in Organizations. My immediate thought was I needed to reread this book as it would probably be appropriate as we seek to accomplish our vision of excellence in today’s economic environment. In this book, the authors identify five fundamental practices of exemplary leadership in which ten commitments are embedded. The first practice, “Challenging the Process” clearly speaks to our environment in nursing education. The commitments that accompany this practice are: (1) search out challenging opportunities to change, grow, innovate, and improve and (2) Experiment, take risks, and learn from the accompanying mistakes.

Well, as we work to sustain enrollment, improve student retention, and implement new programs, we have the search out challenging opportunities commitment covered. We don’t have to look anymore. As we move forward we are challenged to think creatively, to go beyond traditional patterns of teaching, and to take risks with new ideas in classroom, on-line, and clinical teaching.

I am excited about the innovation that will occur as we address these challenges. I know that we as an organization will evolve into a stronger organization that continues to incorporate all the values of quality, commitment to student success, community outreach, a culture of scholarship, and a positive and supportive work environment, that we currently cherish.

No Doubt About It.

No doubt about it, every piece of news that is printed in the paper, posted on web sites, and talked about on television, indicate that we are in a challenging economic time. In fact, the latest information from the University administration concerning the percent and amount of budget cut required for the rest of this year and for the next 2010 fiscal year is mind boggling.

It becomes even more inconceivable that our school of nursing can sustain its quality programs, must less, began a new program such as the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree while facing budget cuts. No doubt about it, all of us will feel the impact of this budget crisis. No doubt about it, there will be times of disbelief, discouragement, and doubt. No doubt about it, there will be times that statements of “We can’t do this” will surface.

Yet, the history of the School of Nursing tells us a different story. This is a history of commitment, pride, ingenuity, and determination. This School of Nursing has been through cycles of budget cuts, reorganization, and less than desired performance outcomes.

Yet, Southern Miss nursing program has emerged from each of these challenges with its reputation intact. Yes, it will be challenging, yes, it will take hard work, yes, it will take doing things differently, and yes, it will appear daunting.

But, No Doubt about it, the faculty of this School of Nursing will pull it off. Look at the retreat at the beginning of this semester and the collaborative effort, the creative thinking, and the setting of core values that will be maintained through this difficulty.

No Doubt about it, the school of nursing will emerge out of this crisis, stronger than ever. History predicts it and faculty dedication and expertise will guarantee it.
 

Busy time of Year

Last week, I spent some time on the road.  Last Wednesday, I took the Provost and the Interim Dean to Singing River for the reception honoring the RN/BSN graduates.  It was a wonderful time of celebration of their accomplishment and a resounding tribute to the significant impact of Southern Miss to the coast community.  The success of these students is a tribute to the hard work of the entire faculty who teach in the on-line program and to the hours that they have met and worked to have a quality on-line program that is accessible to practicing nurses.  On Thursday and Friday, I was in Jackson for the Deans and Directors meeting and for a meeting with a consultant on simulation and who is working with the Deans and Directors to implement a state-wide initiative on the use of simulation in nursing education.   Will share more about this initiative in our faculty meeting.

Making a Difference

The start of the new semester has brought a sense of excitement, energy, and activity within the school of nursing.  There is something about a new group of students, new faculty, and returning students that creates an atmosphere that energizes us to excel in our efforts in teaching, research and service.   As the semester evolves and demands of the faculty role increase, lets remember that we are a team and we work together to accomplish our goals.   Remember, we are so fortunate to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students and in our community.  Have a great semester.