From the Dean...

Greetings to All,
As the weather warms and graduation is on the horizon, reflections of the year's events begin to crystallize. The School of Nursing continues to be driven by a commitment to changing tides of our healthcare system. We have recently evaluated our curriculum and our program outcomes to ensure that our graduates are fully equipped to handle leadership roles and to promote healthcare in a multicultural world. The School has started to prepare for two national accreditations - Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

(NLNAC). We are committed to both professional organizations, and the faculty are ready to face the enormous tasks ahead with energy and enthusiasm. I am proud of their commitment and dedication. I continue also to take great pride in the accomplishments of our students and of our graduates. Their quality is our enduring strength.

Have a wonderful summer and keep in touch.

Diane R. Lapkin, Dean
Schools of Human Service

Cheerio from the Chair !

Well, as the expression goes,"I'm b-a-a-a-c-k" from merry old England. My semester sabbatical leave went much too quickly (probably not quickly enough for Professor Joanne Turco, who I commend for carrying on admirably during my absense). My trek to the University of Luton, north of London, turned out to be an incredible sojourn. The nursing faculty members were very welcoming and I had the opportunity to attend classes and curriculum meetings, as well as observing student intake interviews and several clinical sites. I was even invited to teach a class focusing on stroke content.

It was interesting and gratifying to note that the school's overall nursing philosophy and goals were not vastly different from our own. Additionally, students appear to exhibit similar characteristics and behaviors, the world over, and the faculty members desks contained equally high piles of "stuff".

The key administrative folks at the University were very supportive and excited about setting up an exchange program between our two schools of nursing. So the next step will be to work out the logistics of the venture. It will be a process which won't happen over night. but we're certainly on our way to providing our students with an "up close and personal" view of health care as practiced in another country.

As the school year draws to a close, the faculty is diligently working in a proactive manner to prepare for not one, but two upcoming accreditation visits. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) will be coming for a reaccreditation visit in Spring 2002 and the Collegiate Commission for Nursing Education (CCNE) is scheduled for a first visit in Fall 2002. I know this sounds like a long way off, but you know how time flies when you're having fun! I will undoubtedly be filling you in on more of the details as the time draws closer.

For the second year, we are planning an alumni gathering to be held on May 25th. Can you believe it is the 30th anniversary of the School of Nursing? Well it is, and the faculty would love to see you. We have scheduled a dynamic speaker and wonderful "treats to eat" so bring your friends and colleagues as well.. All are invited! Be on the lookout in your mailbox for the Flyer or give us a call if you don't receive one. We're hoping to generate a good turnout!

See you there!

Best wishes,
Joanne H. Evans