April 13 - Institute for Simulation Education

Despite some truly strange weather in Washington DC – a very warm March morphing into a blustery April, reversing that old saying about March coming in like a lion – I can report with certainty that spring 2016 is here. And that means we will soon open registration for the NLN Education Summit 2016, September 21-23 in fabulous Orlando, Florida. “Beyond Boundaries” is the theme, and the program is outstanding, with interesting speakers and a global focus. I will hold off describing the details until my next Member Update when registration will be open, but for now, please take a look at our new video, taped at the 2015 Summit in Las Vegas, to get a taste of the dynamic Summit experience.

We’re also excited to present our second Institute for Simulation Educators (ISE), which the NLN Center for Innovation in Simulation and Technology is offering in partnership with the University of Maryland School of Nursing July 26-29 in Baltimore. Earn 24 contact hours as you spend three-and-a-half days at the Debra L. Spunt Clinical Simulation Labs with expert faculty in the field. ISE offers intensive, hands-on work sessions and debriefing opportunities with peer and expert feedback using a curriculum based on guidelines outlined by the recent NCSBN Simulation Study. It is an incredible opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and strategies to use simulation to its full potential and build a robust simulation program in your nursing program.

Both the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the NLN were extremely gratified by the rave reviews from the sold-out 2015 institute: “The learners’ enthusiastic response observed on the first day never appeared to lag! Participants consistently indicated high satisfaction with the program, in fact they begged for more.”

Now a few words about two major losses for nursing education. Dr. Sylvia Hart, founding dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, died on March 29. Sylvia launched the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs during her tenure as dean at UT, where she served for 21 years. She achieved national and international recognition for her work in the areas of higher education accreditation, new nursing program initiatives, licensure and regulatory issues, and global alliances and was a consultant to more than 120 nursing programs in 42 states. When I was dean at NC Agriculture & State University, Sylvia consulted with our faculty and staff, bringing her warm, brilliant personality to her work with us. She is remembered as a true leader and visionary.

We also lost my friend Dr. Grayce McVeigh Sills, American Academy of Nursing Living Legend and professor emeritus of nursing at the Ohio State University College of Nursing. A mentee and colleague of Dr. Hildegard Peplau, Grayce was internationally recognized as a leader in the field of psychiatric nursing and served 27 years at Ohio State's School of Nursing as faculty member, department chair, director of graduate studies, and acting dean. Her commitment to nursing education and to improving care for the chronically mentally ill were recognized with many honors. We miss her, and we miss Sylvia, both giants in our profession. I miss them both.

And now a positive story. New York University has announced a gift of $30 million from Howard and Rose-Marie “Rory” Meyers to its College of Nursing, the largest gift to an established school of nursing in the history of nursing education. Three-quarters of the gift will be endowed as a fund for scholarships for low-income, first-generation college-goers with strong academic credentials, with the remainder to be used for academic and faculty support. Ms. Meyers is a nurse and was the first in her immediate family to go to college. The school will be renamed the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing in her honor. Congratulations to Dr. Eileen Sullivan-Marx and her superb faculty, staff, and student body.

How about that! How heartening it is to read of such a commitment to nursing education and to nursing students. And let us all recommit to our profession and to our students, as we seek to honor the NLN mission to promote excellence in nursing education, building a strong and diverse nursing workforce to advance the health of our nation and the global community.

Next Issue of the NLN Member Update: Wednesday, April 27, 2016. View previous issues of NLN Member Update »