Current News

Dean’s Citation for Excellence Award

The School of Nursing is pleased to announce Kathy Fitzsimmons has received the Dean’s Citation for Excellence Award for Outstanding Dissertation Award. She will be honored at a special reception on December 11, 2009, followed by her hooding and graduation as a new PhD in Nursing Education.

Change of Leadership in the School of Nursing

Dr. Kathleen Bradshaw LaSala, PhD, ARPN, PNP-BC was appointed the new Director of the School of Nursing effective October 1, 2009. Dr. LaSala comes to the university following extensive experience in nursing education and practice. She received her PhD in Nursing from George Mason University and a Master’s of Nursing and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification from the University of Virginia. She has taught at several universities, including James Madison University (Virginia), Eastern Michigan University, University of Nevada-Reno, and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and most recently at Radford University. Dr. LaSala comes to the position with an impressive record as a nursing faculty member and administrator, in addition to having years of experience as a registered nurse and advanced practice nurse (pediatric nurse practitioner).  She is an established scholar, with many juried publications, peer-reviewed abstracts, conference proceedings, and professional presentations, and over $2.38 million dollars in funding through grants and fundraising.  She has served as a department chair, director and associate dean in previous institutions, and enthusiastically joins the School of Nursing during this exciting and challenging time.

The previous, Director Dr. Debra (Deb) Leners recently announced her intention to retire from the university after several years in that leadership role as well as many years of prior service as a nursing faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado.  Dr. Leners provided strong leadership to the School during a time of substantial change, overseeing the growth of nursing’s programs and faculty, expansion of the School’s partnerships, and enhancements of the program’s instructional facilities.  The School has made remarkable strides under her capable direction, and we thank her for her many contributions and wish her well in her future endeavors. Upon retirement, Dr. Leners plans to continue to work with the nursing doctoral program as a professor emerita.

New Faculty members join the School of Nursing

Welcome three new faculty memebers to the School of Nursing: Karen Gorton, Shelia Postiglione and Deborah Rojas.

School of Nursing Receives HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The School of Nursing received monies from the U.S. Health Resources  and Services Administration funding for loans for nursing faculty members who are advancing their education through the attainment of either a masters or Ph.D. in Nursing and plan to work full –time as nurse educators following graduation.  The recipients are awarded 85% forgiveness of their loan if they remain in nursing education for four years. This program provides strong incentives for faculty to advance their education, while significantly helping the nursing faculty shortage.

Learning Resource Center Receives Significant Upgrades with Clinical Simulation

The Learning Resource Center recently received a substantially upgrades in clinical simulation technology, advancing the opportunities for students to integrate clinical knowledge and skills.

National Institute of Nursing Education and Scholarship (NINES)

Recognizing UNC’s leadership in nursing education, a recent federal award provided start-up funds to establish the National Institute for Nursing Education & Scholarship (NINES), located in the School of Nursing.  The institute impacts and facilitates scholarly resources and leadership for effective, high-quality health professions education in the 21st Century. NINES engages nursing educators and scholars in research, professional development and policymaking with the Nursing Research Center, Learning Resource Center, Faculty Development Center and Assessment and Evaluation Center

National Institute for Nursing Education & Scholarship

School of Nursing Recent Graduates Excel in National Nursing Examinations

Scores on national professional examinations attest to the quality of the School of Nursing’s educational programs.  Family Nurse Practitioner students in the School of Nursing have maintained a 100% National Certification pass rate since the program’s beginning in 1995.  Bachelor of Science in Nursing students achieved a 100% National licensure exam pass rate for the December 2008 graduating class and a 97% pass rate for the May 2009 graduating class.

School of Nursing Continues to Address the National Shortage of Nurses and Nurse Faculty

The School of Nursing is working to address the national need for highly-qualified nurses and nurse educators. The School, which offers degrees from the baccalaureate through doctoral levels, graduates approximately 166 B.S.N. degree students, 22 Master's in Nursing students, and 5 Ph.D. in Nursing students annually. Many of the doctorate recipients are master's-qualified nursing faculty who teach in institutions around the country. The online nature of UNC's program allows these nurse educators to attain their doctoral credential, often while maintaining their employment.