Nursing
Teaching and Learning
The excellence of the educational programs in the IU School of Nursing was recognized this year by several external bodies. New partnerships between the 4 schools of nursing in Central Indiana, Clarian Health Partners and IUSON were forged and provided additional opportunities to expand capacity and enhance faculty development.
- The 2007 U.S. News and World Report ranked Indiana University School of Nursing graduate programs as the 15th overall, with two programs (psychiatric-mental health and clinical nurse specialist) ranked in the top ten.
- The undergraduate NCLEX Pass rate exceeded 98%.
- A new master's option in nursing education was approved and the school was awarded funding by the Indianapolis Private Industry Council for this program to support twenty full-time students beginning in the fall of 2007.
- In order to share faculty and expand the capacity for nursing students, a partnership between Clarian Health Partners (CHP) and Indiana University School of Nursing was formalized. The School expanded its undergraduate class in 2006-2007 by 60 students (25%) to a total of 290 admissions. Eight faculty associates were hired by CHP to expand the capacity to educate.
- The Clinical Nurse Specialist Graduate Program online option was funded for 3 years by the Health Research Services Administration (HRSA). There were a total of 45 students in the first year of this program.
- Eleven Ph.D. students completed their studies and graduated in 2007.
Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
The clinical research programs at IUSON have expanded and increased in both number of awards and amount of dollars.
- The IUSON ranks #8 of 102 schools of nursing in amount of NIH funding received in 2006.
- A $2,092,300, National Institute of Health (NIH) interdisciplinary training grant (R-25) was awarded to Dr. Victoria Champion for five years to train pre and post doctoral students across disciplines in behavioral oncology.
- Additional funding for 12 PhD students was awarded by both NIH (8) and the American Cancer Society (4) via individual awards and the T-32 and R-25, both research training grants.
Diversity
- The faculty identified the use of 11 pedagogical strategies within the curriculum that enhance diversity; 11 strategies to facilitate the development of research skills among underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students; and initiated a mentoring program and continued the use of several strategies to facilitate academic success among all students within the School of Nursing.
- Undergraduate student Nicole Murphy selected by the Midwest Nursing Research Society for the second consecutive year for a poster presentation. The organization's conference is specific for graduate students and faculty.
- Monique Wilson received the LaVern Sutton Award for leadership potential among students of color.
- Dr. Carol Shieh received the Sequoia Award for her efforts toward enhancing diversity among populations of students within the student body.
- Several diversity and international programs sponsored to enhance knowledge of differing cultures.
Best Practices
- STATS (Self-Tracking and Assessing to Succeed) – Students are provided tools and resources, including faculty /student mentoring, individual tracking and assessment forms, test-taking, and time management tips for every learning style, study logs, stress management support, and other helpful resources to facilitate learning and success at IUSON. A packet of materials, resources, and tools are distributed to students at the beginning of their first semester at IUSON.
- Student/faculty mentoring: A dedicated mentor relationship is offered for third and fourth semester students to be assigned a faculty mentor that offers perspectives on learning, practical experience, nurturing, and support for our students. A group of 10 students are assigned a faculty mentor who they work with through their first semester, both in a face-to-face setting and through online discussion forums and email. The mentoring:
- Exposes students to the language, behavior and responsibilities of a professional
- Increases the level of personal and professional confidence
- Fosters leadership skills
- Student Success Central: Student Success Central is designed to help prevent unfavorable results in nursing courses and to promote overall success. A six-member team consisting or the Director of Diversity and Enrichment, Assistance Dean of Student Services, three faculty members, and an academic advisor serve as student success coaches. Students are assigned a coach, if a referral is made, either by self-referral or from a faculty based on an academic or personal problem that is interfering with the student’s ability to be successful in his/her course. The success coaches work with the students to assess needs, develop a success plan, and assist students throughout the course of study.
External Awards and Appointments
- Jessie Farris, 7th semester BSN student was recognized as the #1 Female of the Top 100 Students at IUPUI for 2007.
- Gail Kost was named the 2007 Nurse Educator of the Year during the annual The Indianapolis Star/careerbuilder.com "Salute to Nurses" Luncheon on May 2, 2007. IUSON nominees included: Joan Haase, Su Moore, Connie Rowles, Vema Sweitzer, Melinda Swenson and Prudence Twigg.
- Angela Barron McBride, IU School of Nursing University Dean Emerita, was named a Living Legend and honored at the annual American Academy of Nursing Conference in November 2006.
- Dr. Lillian Stokes was “roasted” at the annual Celebrity Barbecue and Grille hosted by the Indianapolis Chapter of The Links Incorporated, a community service organization.
- Beth Richardson and Melinda Swenson were selected for membership as Fellows in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). They were inducted into the Academy during the AANP meeting in June.
- Julie Ann Nauser, an IUSON doctoral student, has been selected winner of the Chancellor's Scholar Award that recognizes outstanding individual performance in achieving the highest cumulative GPA as determined by individual schools.
- Cindy Adams, RN, MSN and PhD candidate, received the Clinical Practice Excellence Award from the Cardiovascular Nursing Council, American Heart Association. She received the award in Chicago at the AHA’s annual Scientific Sessions. The award is a prestigious, competitive award to recognize clinical excellence.
- Marion Broome was selected Alumni of the Year award recipient for the College of Nursing at the University of South Carolina. The award was presented in November 2006.
