Transformation of Nursing Education to Be Key Theme at NLN's Annual Education Summit in Phoenix September 26 - 29 (First in a series of five Summit-related releases) September 12, 2007

NLN CEO Beverly L. Malone is Keynoter at Opening Session
Wednesday, September 26, 4:00 pm at Phoenix Convention Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 12, 2007 — New York, NY — - The National League for Nursing will open its 2007 Education Summit later this month by encouraging its members to consider the faculty role in effecting positive change in response to the persistent challenge of a nationwide shortage of nurses and nurse educators. "Evolution or Revolution: Recreating Nursing Education," the theme of this years four-day gathering in Phoenix, Arizona, will begin with remarks by keynote speaker Beverly L. Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, who took the reins as chief executive officer of the NLN in February. Dr. Malone will focus on the state of nursing education today and offer strategies for enhancing its strengths and improving its effectiveness.

As in years past, this years Summit promises to be a sell-out event with nearly 500 schools of nursing in every state of the union represented. Local dignitaries expected include Phil Gordon, mayor of Phoenix. The Summit has also traditionally been a time for nurse educators at all levels of academia - who teach in programs that offer certificate, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees - to network and collaborate in a supportive, professional context.

Following Dr. Malones talk, which will set the tone for the balance of the week, the plenary session on Thursday morning is entitled, "On Revolutions and Revolutionaries: 25 Years of Reform and Innovation in Nursing Education." Participants will then attend panel discussions, workshops, and seminars that explore issues related to leadership; scholarly research; pedagogical standards of excellence; student mentoring; the impact of technology on the educational environment; and public policy, and how these areas affect the future of nursing education. They will have an opportunity to hear presentations of outstanding papers and view posters and exhibits spotlighting innovative research.

Outgoing NLN president Toni Bargagliotti, DNSc, RN will preside over the annual business meeting of the Board of Governors, before welcoming her successor to the post. Elaine Tagliareni, EdD, RN, who will be installed for the next two-year term, through 2009, will deliver her inaugural address during Friday mornings meeting. The schools designated NLN Centers of Excellence for 2007-2010 will also be unveiled at that time.

Another highlight of this years Summit will be first annual Debra Spunt Endowed Lecture, endowed by Laerdal Medical, in recognition of the contributions of Ms. Spunt, the director of clinical simulation laboratories at the University of Maryland, to excellence in nursing education. Pamela R. Jeffries, DNS, RN, FAAN of the Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis, who has worked closely with Ms. Spunt, will speak about how schools of nursing can better prepare their faculty to incorporate simulation modules in teaching in a talk entitled, "Get in S.T.E.P. With Simulations; (Simulations Take Educator Preparation)." Dr. Jeffries is the director of a three-year NLN faculty development project involving simulations, funded by a grant to the NLN from Laerdal Medical Corporation.

The Presidents Reception, Awards Banquet, and the induction of the first fellows into the NLNs new Academy of Nursing Education on Saturday evening will provide a perfect capstone to an invigorating conference.

Four awards are to be presented this year for: Excellence in Teaching; Excellence in Nursing Education Research; Public Service; and Outstanding Leadership to the NLN.

Lynn C. Callister, PhD, RN, FAAN, the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award, has been an advocate for nursing education for more than four decades. A dedicated educator and mentor who believes in supporting each students needs and individual growth, Dr. Callister has, for the past 19 years, worked her way to the pinnacle of the field at Brigham Young University College of Nursing, where she has consistently received some of the schools highest ratings. Students unfailingly praise the enthusiasm and encouragement she offers in the inspiring and positive learning environment she has created. In addition to her achievements in the classroom, Dr. Callister serves on the editorial boards of three prominent nursing journals. Her scholarly research, recognized nationally and internationally, focuses primarily on evidence-based nursing practice, nursing education, and childbirth. She is also a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, has been a speaker at the Oxford England University Round Table on Womens Leadership and she received a Fulbright Scholarship to Russia.

The NLNs recognition for Public Service will be awarded to Laerdal Medical Corporation, whose powerful corporate message, "Helping Save Lives," reflects a company that understands the value of research and education in building the competence of health care professionals. For more than half a century, Laerdal has provided products for the advancement of nurse training and education. The companys team of scientists and researchers has established partnerships with nursing and health care organizations and educational institutions to better prepare health care professionals. Laerdals relationship with the NLN and the NLN Foundation began in 2003 with a multi-year, multi-site, and multi-method simulation research grant. The current NLN-Laerdal project (2006-2009) is creating a web-based Simulation Research and Innovation Center where faculty can learn how to design and integrate effective simulations into their curricula, explore resources related to simulation, and dialogue with other faculty around a variety of topics. In addition, Laerdal has worked with schools across the country to establish Laerdal Centers of Excellence in Simulation.

The recipient of the award for Excellence in Nursing Education Research is Pamela R. Jeffries, DNS, RN, FAAN. Dr. Jeffries belief in making the impossible possible has revolutionized the Indiana University School of Nursing, where she developed and advocated innovative approaches in nursing education for more than a decade and where her passion for nursing education research has led to many achievements. She has raised more than a million dollars to conduct research in nursing education; conceptualized and executed a program of research and evaluation to hone critical thinking of nursing students; and received funding to lead two NLN-sponsored multi-site studies, funded by Laerdal, to test her education research strategies. An exceptional role model, Dr. Jeffries has actively shared her research methodologies and findings, through the publication of at least 30 papers and presentations worldwide.

Peggy J. Miller, CPA, has been named the recipient of this years Award for Outstanding Leadership to the NLN. Drawing on her training and experience as a certified public accountant, Ms. Miller has dedicated her career to ensuring the financial health and stability of health care organizations, including more than 15 years helping the NLN resolve fiscal challenges. Ms. Miller worked with the NLN executive management team, eventually being elected treasurer of the NLN. In each capacity, she has proved unwavering in her devotion to the goal of supporting nurse educators and health care professionals, and the results of her financial analyses for the NLN are evident in the organizations current financial health.

Forty-one fellows comprise the inaugural group to be inducted into the Academy of Nursing Education, established by the NLN in 2007 to foster excellence in nursing education by recognizing and capitalizing on the wisdom of outstanding nurse educators. Fellows support the vision of the NLN to promote standards of excellence in nursing education that will increase the number of graduates from all types of nursing programs, and they serve as resources for new educators and those in clinical practice. These inspiring leaders are to be feted for innovative teaching and learning strategies, nursing education research, faculty development, academic leadership, promotion of public policy that advances nursing education and collaborative educational practice with community partners.

Editors and reporters: For interview opportunities, if you would like to receive a complete Summit schedule, a program book including all abstracts, a copy of Dr. Malones keynote address or if you would like to attend, please contact NLN chief communications officer Karen R. Klestzick at 212-812-0376, kklestzick@nln.org.

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Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education offering faculty development, networking opportunities, testing and assessment, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 23,000 individual and 1,100 institutional members.