A Word From Dean Lorie Wild
Recently, we had the opportunity to celebrate the program completion of 10 students in the RN to BSN program. Being a part of this ceremony always brings special pleasure for me as these students — nearly all of whom practice fulltime in area medical centers or clinics — graduate. The ceremony is a wonderful culmination of their fortitude and commitment to lifelong learning.
As we approach the five-year anniversary of the 2010 The Future of Nursing report from the Institute of Medicine, I am struck by how these RN to BSN graduates model what the IOM report challenges us to do: transform practice, education, and leadership. These students are real-time examples of academic progression in nursing and are part of bringing the profession to 80 percent BSN and above by the year 2020.
Yet, while data about the number of BSNs is encouraging, the real impact is the transformative role of academic progression for individual nurses and students. Jennifer White, RN and graduating BSN, from Seattle’s Group Health Cooperative, expertly articulated this in her remarks at the recent Pinning Ceremony:
This program at Seattle Pacific University and the exceptional faculty have helped shape this fine art form within us. Our ability to think, assess, and — most importantly — care at a deeper level is now unleashed.
With classes such as Public Health and Family and Community Nursing, we have learned to better our frame of reference when considering others, and to care for others with empathy and sincerity. Our Statistics and Nursing Research courses broadened our thought process on a level that has encouraged us to think logically, considering facts from every possible angle. Our Christian Theology classes emboldened us to ask the difficult questions of life, such as, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” and “Where is God when times are difficult?” Tapping into our spiritual selves, we exercised our minds in ways we never thought possible.
And now here we are — together celebrating the completion of this program. We are now a little better rounded … a little better disciplined. And, hopefully, we will be much better caregivers, wives, husbands, sons, daughters, and friends. We will go forward, loving with big hearts and minds infused with great things. Now we go into the world, because of what we have learned these past two years, with one steady foot in front of the other, confidently; committing to our life journey, living in the present moment, and serving with grace.
Our commitment to Jennifer and other students like her is to foster learning to achieve these outcomes — whether in the RN to BSN program, the pre-licensure program, the RN to MSN program, or other MSN pathways. Amidst the many changes in higher education and nursing education, in particular, we stay committed to robust academics and relationship-centered learning grounded in Christian faith and values. As alumni, family, and friends of SPU Nursing, you support our goals and mission through your professionalism, mentorship, prayers, and financial gifts. With your support, graduates like Jennifer and her colleagues will engage the culture and change the world!