Michele Upvall, PhD, RN, CNE, was elected to serve as Chair of the CCNE Nominating Committee for 2017. She previously served as a member of the committee, which is responsible for preparing, evaluating and accepting nominations from members interested in serving on the Board of Directors.

麻豆精品 S淚t is an honor to lead the nominating committee, identifying qualified individuals who will continue to carry out the commission 麻豆精品 S檚 mission of advancing excellence and innovation in nursing education, research and practice, 麻豆精品 S� said Michele Upvall, coordinator of the Nurse Educator MSN and certificate programs at the UCF College of Nursing.

Diane Andrews, PhD, RN, and Laura Gonzalez, PhD, ARNP, CNE, CHSE, have been selected to serve as on-site evaluators for the CCNE accreditation review process. The two join nearly 740 nurse educators and practicing nurses from across the country who currently serve in the role and assist in the accreditation process. At the College of Nursing, Susan Chase, EdD, RN, FNP-BC, FNAP, and Upvall have served as on-site evaluators since 2007 and 2008, respectively. Chase serves as an evaluation team leader and also is an appointed member of the Report Review Committee, which reviews continuous improvement progress reports from all accredited programs as well as other compliance reports for CCNE.

As nurse educators, Andrews and Gonzalez will lend their expertise in nursing education and program development to assist in evaluating program curricula, faculty roles and qualifications, internal governance, student services, and student and faculty outcomes during an accreditation review. Each will participate in at least one on-site evaluation per year where they will travel with a team to a college or university in the U.S.

麻豆精品 S淎s we strive as a nation to prepare a growing number of highly educated nurses, it is critical for public health that colleges and universities meet nationally recognized standards in providing a quality education, 麻豆精品 S� said Diane Andrews, coordinator of the Leadership & Management MSN and Nurse Executive DNP at the College of Nursing. 麻豆精品 S淪erving as an on-site evaluator allows me to contribute to this valuable process and foster continuous improvement among nursing programs. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淐CNE values and fosters innovation in the accreditation process and in its accredited programs. As a researcher focused on innovation, I am honored to be able to give back and lend a unique viewpoint to the process from my experiences in the simulation community, 麻豆精品 S� said Laura Gonzalez, simulation coordinator at the College of Nursing, current board member and vice president of programs for the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning, and聽former聽director of the Florida Healthcare Simulation Alliance.

CCNE is one of just two nursing program accrediting agencies nationally recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The commission began accreditation reviews in 1998 and currently accredits nearly 1,400 baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs across 705 colleges and universities in the U.S. The bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in nursing, master 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in nursing, post-master 麻豆精品 S檚 nurse practitioner certificates, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at the UCF College of Nursing are accredited by CCNE.

UCF has long supported veteran students and has been named a 麻豆精品 S淢ilitary Friendly School 麻豆精品 S� by G.I. Jobs magazine since 2011. The university 麻豆精品 S檚 Veterans Academic Resource Center is specifically designed to help veterans achieve academic success by providing a one-stop solution to support their needs during the transition from military to student life.

The College of Nursing has a strategic relationship with the Veterans Affairs medical facilities for clinical rotations. For former U.S. Army flight medic John W. Rothwell, III, BSN, RN, this relationship was one of the primary factors for selecting UCF.

麻豆精品 S淭here are numerous reasons that UCF outshines other聽 nursing programs, including the high first-time pass rates for RN and ARNP board certification, and the clinical resource coordinator that arranges clinical residences in the community, 麻豆精品 S� said Rothwell, a family nurse practitioner DNP student. 麻豆精品 S淏ut the strategic relationship with the VA, to me, was critical. As a veteran, there are not only career benefits in performing clinical rotations at the VA, but there is a strong emotional and psychological bond when helping your fellow soldier, marine, seamen or airmen. 麻豆精品 S�

For veterans or active duty military members seeking flexibility to take courses when it 麻豆精品 S檚 convenient, the College of Nursing offers numerous distance learning programs with online and hybrid options for both graduate and undergraduate degrees. 麻豆精品 S淭he best word to describe my experiences with the online nursing program is 麻豆精品 S榮imple, 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Rothwell continued. 麻豆精品 S淔aculty also utilize innovative technologies to enhance learning, including digital clinical experiences such as avatars. 麻豆精品 S�

Nurses with a BSN degree or non-nursing baccalaureate may apply for graduate programs, while those with an associate 麻豆精品 S檚 degree may apply for an RN to BSN or RN to MSN program. Scholarship opportunities are also available to veterans and active duty military.

麻豆精品 S淥ur nation 麻豆精品 S檚 veterans have served our country, and we 麻豆精品 S檙e honored to help them continue to serve their communities by advancing their career in nursing, 麻豆精品 S� said Susan Chase, associate dean for graduate affairs. 麻豆精品 S淓ven veterans who are nurses but have bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degrees in other fields may apply to our graduate programs. These students would simply complete a three-course sequence before starting the graduate coursework toward their nursing degree. 麻豆精品 S�

To be considered in the rankings, colleges had to participate in key programs that offer educational benefits to people with military service and be among the top 75 percent of schools in the U.S. News 2015 Best Online Programs rankings. Those rankings, in which the College of Nursing is ranked among the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 top 25 for graduate nursing programs, are determined based upon numerous factors, including affordability, faculty credentials, student services and reputation.

The 60-credit hour program combines the strengths of the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 second-largest university with the convenience and flexibility of an online format. Students will only have to travel to Orlando twice per academic year. The first classes will begin the summer of 2015 and applications are currently being accepted. The application deadline is Jan. 15.

麻豆精品 S淯CF and the College of Nursing are dedicated to providing an array of educational opportunities to our students, 麻豆精品 S� said Susan K. Chase, associate dean for graduate affairs in the College of Nursing. 麻豆精品 S淏y creating an online program, we 麻豆精品 S檙e able to attract and prepare more nurse researchers who are the future of health care. Graduates will be able to serve in senior leadership roles in the fields of academia, health care, military and more, and will make valuable contributions to advance nursing and solve some of our world 麻豆精品 S檚 ever-evolving health concerns. 麻豆精品 S�

Donna Neff, program coordinator and interim director of research, said: 麻豆精品 S淥ur graduate students are typically employed full time in leadership positions and appreciate the flexibility of an online program, which allows them to balance their career while furthering their education. This new program expands our existing online offerings to seven and aids in the growing demand for nurse Ph.D.s. 麻豆精品 S�

Online Ph.D. students will have access to the university 麻豆精品 S檚 state-of-the-art facilities, experience small class sizes of less than 20, and receive one-on-one academic support to help meet their educational goals. The UCF College of Nursing currently has 14 faculty scholars actively engaged in cutting-edge research, including in the fields of simulation, health systems and health care self-management.

This high-quality educational opportunity is not only convenient but also affordable as UCF has been named one of the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 麻豆精品 S渂est value 麻豆精品 S� universities by 碍颈辫濒颈苍驳别谤 麻豆精品 S檚 and The Princeton Review.

The UCF College of Nursing is accredited by the for its baccalaureate, master 麻豆精品 S檚 and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs. The Ph.D. program aligns with published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

For more information about the online Nursing PhD program, visit nursing.ucf.edu.

Dr. Joan Shinkus Clark, senior vice president and system chief nurse executive for Texas Health Resources in Dallas 麻豆精品 S� Fort Worth Texas, was the featured speaker. Clark joined the Texas Health Resources leadership team in 2008, and represents nursing at the senior executive level. She has responsibility for advancing alignment and strategic nursing initiatives.

She discussed the prevailing industry response catalyzed by the Affordable Care Act, the key national, regional and local initiatives and trends in health care reform, and the role of innovation in transforming the health care delivery model.

麻豆精品 S淗ealth care is always changing, 麻豆精品 S� said Clark. 麻豆精品 S淎nd it is so important for nurses and nurse leaders to keep up with that change. Our knowledge of health care reform must be current, and we must be able to adjust the way we deliver care to our patients and ensure better patient outcomes. 麻豆精品 S�

The free lecture, sponsored by , was part of the college 麻豆精品 S檚 Leadership in Practice Lecture Series, during which a national leader is brought in to discuss cutting-edge topics in health care. Attendees included nurses from the greater central Florida community, as well as college faculty, students, and alumni. They earned one contact hour of continuing education.

Carl Patten, director of the Florida Blue Center for Health Policy, was present to welcome attendees and thanked UCF College of Nursing for initiating this important discussion.

麻豆精品 S淎s we enter this new era of health care transformation, nurses and physicians will be in greater demand, especially in Florida, 麻豆精品 S� Patten said. 麻豆精品 S淣urses will play a pivotal role in meeting this demand, as more and more people gain access to health insurance. 麻豆精品 S�

In addition to the UCF Nursing Leadership in Practice Lecture Series, Clark taught an intensive seminar the next day exclusively for college faculty and students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, which includes nurse executives, advanced practice nurses, and students studying to become nurse practitioners.

麻豆精品 S淥ur Nursing Leadership in Practice Lecture series coupled with the intensive seminar helps keeps our D.N.P students abreast of key issues affecting health care, 麻豆精品 S� said Dr. Susan Chase, associate dean for graduate affairs at the College of Nursing.

麻豆精品 S淥ur goal with bringing together the three D.N.P. tracks for these intensives is to bridge the gap between leadership and practice. We want our nurse executives to better understand practice concerns because they are the ones developing the care environments in which clinicians practice. Also, we want our clinicians to better understand leadership issues because they are redesigning systems of care in both primary care and acute care settings, 麻豆精品 S� Chase explained.

The D.N.P. at UCF has two entry points and three tracks.

The post-baccalaureate B.S.N. to D.N.P. educates nurses at a higher level and prepares them for becoming licensed nurse practitioners. These students start the program with classes on campus two to four times per month while preparing for the board-certification exam, but eventually move to an online format that aligns with the post-master 麻豆精品 S檚 Advanced Practice D.N.P. track.

The two post-master 麻豆精品 S檚 tracks are taught primarily online. Students come to campus for scheduled intensive experiences, allowing them the flexibility of working while pursuing their doctorate.

The post-master 麻豆精品 S檚 Executive D.N.P. is for current nurse executives who hold an M.S.N. in nursing administration. The goal of the program is to prepare nurse executives for multiple dimensions of administrative responsibilities within varied health care environments.

The post-master 麻豆精品 S檚 Advanced Practice D.N.P. is a clinical doctorate for nurses who are already licensed in an advanced practice specialty, such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, midwives and nurse anesthetists. The program prepares clinicians to redesign health care systems and improve quality of care through evidence-based practice.

Clark earned a diploma in nursing from Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., a B.S. in health care administration from St. Joseph 麻豆精品 S檚 College in Maine, an M.S.N. from the University of Florida, and a D.N.P. from Texas Christian University. She is a graduate of the Johnson and Johnson Wharton Fellowship and is an ANCC Magnet Appraiser.

To learn more about the D.N.P. program at UCF, visit .

For advising, contact Dr. Diane Andrews, coordinator of the Executive D.N.P. at diane.andrews@ucf.edu, or Dr. Julee Waldrop, coordinator of the Nurse Practitioner D.N.P. and Advanced Practice D.N.P. at julee.waldrop@ucf.edu.

麻豆精品 S淚 am honored to serve the College of Nursing in this role, 麻豆精品 S� Sole said. 麻豆精品 S淥ur college will continue to focus on the needs of our students and Central Florida community by offering superb undergraduate and graduate education and outstanding research opportunities. 麻豆精品 S�

Founding Dean Jean D 麻豆精品 S橫eza Leuner has stepped down from her administrative position to pursue new leadership challenges. Dr. Linda Hennig, founding associate dean for undergraduate affairs, announced last fall her plan to return to the classroom.

UCF will conduct a national search for a new dean.

麻豆精品 S淒r. Leuner leaves behind a strong legacy 麻豆精品 S� she transformed us from a school within a college to an independent college, 麻豆精品 S� Sole said. 麻豆精品 S淪he focused on many strategic initiatives, including adding new programs and developing new partnerships, and was exceptional at fundraising. She brought in several million dollars to create additional endowed chairs and professorships, and also established more than 25 student scholarships during her tenure. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淒r. Hennig has been instrumental in many key UCF initiatives for more than 20 years, earning special accolades for developing and promoting online nursing education programs. 麻豆精品 S�

Dr. Leuner said it 麻豆精品 S檚 been an honor and privilege to serve as the college 麻豆精品 S檚 founding dean.

麻豆精品 S淭he past 10 years have seen remarkable growth and success for our college, and I am proud to have been part of that, 麻豆精品 S� Leuner said. 麻豆精品 S淲hile I look to the next challenge in my career, I wish Dr. Sole and our dedicated faculty and staff continued success. 麻豆精品 S�

Dr. Hennig said teaching is her first love and she 麻豆精品 S檚 excited about the opportunity to pursue this passion once again.

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 been several years since I 麻豆精品 S檝e been able to give myself fully to teaching, and I miss it, 麻豆精品 S� Hennig said. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 just not ready to retire, and I plan to spend a few years as a professor before that time comes. 麻豆精品 S�

During the next few weeks, Drs. Sole and Covelli will work closely with outgoing leaders to ensure a smooth transition.

Dr. Sole has received numerous honors, including being named as a Pegasus Professor, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 highest faculty honor. She also holds the Orlando Health Distinguished Professorship in the UCF College of Nursing. As a researcher, she is widely published and has succeeded in obtaining external support for her research endeavors. She has been nationally recognized for her research with awards from the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Dr. Covelli has been a nursing faculty member at UCF since 1989. She is respected for her leadership as chair of the Faculty Association and as an associate professor with primary teaching responsibilities in the baccalaureate program. She has published research on hypertension, and has developed cardiovascular health promotion intervention programs to decrease hypertension risk in adolescents.

The event featured local celebrities and faculty members paired with professional dancers for a ballroom dance challenge. Funds were raised through ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and the 麻豆精品 S淰ote with Your Dollars 麻豆精品 S� program, in which event attendees used money to vote for their favorite dance team.

Femmes de Coeur, or Women of Heart, is a nonprofit fundraising organization whose goal is to raise funds by partnering with existing organizations to help research and treat disease. The annual fundraiser was introduced six years ago by Femmes de Coeur President Judy Conrad.

麻豆精品 S淚 decided to start the 麻豆精品 S楲et Us Entertain You 麻豆精品 S� dance challenge fundraiser because it was a perfect way to integrate my desire to help the nursing community with my interest in ballroom dancing, 麻豆精品 S� said Conrad. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 really glad it 麻豆精品 S檚 been so successful. 麻豆精品 S�

Participants this year included talk show host Jada Collins, salon owner Dale Dees, chiropractic physician Dr. Richard Bocco, to name a few. One faculty member from each nursing program also participated in the dance challenge, including UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Dr. Susan Chase, who is the associate dean of graduate affairs in the College of Nursing.

Although she and her partner, dance professional Tony Sterling, did not win the dance challenge, Chase feels it was worth her time and effort.

麻豆精品 S淚t was a fun way to raise money for a very worthy cause, 麻豆精品 S� said Chase. 麻豆精品 S淚 didn 麻豆精品 S檛 do it to win. I did it to support our students. 麻豆精品 S�

Other participating nursing programs included those at Valencia College, Seminole State College, and Adventist University of Health Sciences.

The proceeds from the event will be divided among the four nursing programs and disbursed in the fall. At UCF, the funds support the Femmes de Coeur Endowed Nursing Scholarship.

Stephens received five letters of support for the award, including letters from the dean, associate dean for graduate affairs, and three faculty members.

Jean D 麻豆精品 S橫eza Leuner, dean of the UCF College of Nursing, wrote, 麻豆精品 S淢r. Stephens brings a level of commitment and dedication to his work that is unprecedented; he is most deserving of this honor and recognition. 麻豆精品 S�

Christopher Blackwell, an associate professor, believes Stephens 麻豆精品 S� greatest strength lies in his incredible rapport with students. 麻豆精品 S淗e is always friendly, respectful, and responsive to students 麻豆精品 S� needs. Students consistently give him high accolades for his outstanding approach to advising; and students identify Mr. Stephens as an advocate and even a role model. 麻豆精品 S�

With more than ten years 麻豆精品 S� experience working in an advising capacity, Stephens was promoted last year from coordinator to associate director of graduate student services. In his current position, he directs every aspect of the graduate admissions and advisement process for all master 麻豆精品 S檚 and doctoral programs, including recruitment, admissions, progression and graduation; oversees daily operations of the college 麻豆精品 S檚 graduate office, including supervision of two support personnel; and remains the first and main point of contact for all graduate students in the UCF College of Nursing.

Stephens says his advisement philosophy centers on creating an environment where students take responsibility for their academic careers. He achieves this by establishing a mutual relationship built on trust through open communication and teamwork.

麻豆精品 S淭hese attributes enable me to be an effective administrator and gives our students confidence in navigating through our graduate programs. 麻豆精品 S�

Susan Chase, associate dean for graduate affairs, agrees. 麻豆精品 S淢r. Stephens is able to blend encouraging support, clear communication and maintenance of high standards in all his communication with applicants. He is the model graduate adviser; and his creative efforts as well as his tireless work with applicants and students merit his receiving of this award. 麻豆精品 S�

Founded in 1979, the National Academic Advising Association promotes the quality of academic advising in institutions of higher education. NACADA is dedicated to the support and professional growth of academic advisors, administrators, and the advising profession. Through its publications and conferences, NACADA provides a forum for discussion, debate and the exchange of ideas regarding the role of advising in higher education.

Sharon McLane, chief nursing informatics officer and director of clinical transformation at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, shared her knowledge and expertise on the subject, and discussed the impact of electronic records on nursing workflow and how to manage all the information available. McLane earned her Ph.D. in Healthcare Informatics at the University of Texas, Houston, and previously was director of nursing informatics at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

The free lecture 麻豆精品 S� Beyond Implementation: Informaticians & Meaningful Use 麻豆精品 S� was open to the public and attended by healthcare administrators, clinical nurse leaders, community partners, prospective and current students, and nursing faculty. One attendee even traveled two hours from Tampa to attend the event. Nurses had the opportunity to earn one contact hour of continuing education credit.

McLane said, 麻豆精品 S淲e are just beginning to become aware of the possibilities in using information to improve quality in healthcare, 麻豆精品 S� adding that managing the increasing amount of information will be needed even more in the future.

The Aug. 23 event supported by Florida Blue, formerly Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, was part of the college 麻豆精品 S檚 semiannual Distinguished Lecture Series where a national leader is invited to discuss current nursing leadership topics. The series spans two days, including the evening community lecture, followed by a day-long intensive seminar with the visiting professor and faculty and students in the Executive Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Launched this past January, the Executive D.N.P. is an online program, but the college brings faculty and students together at the beginning of the spring and fall semesters to discuss thought-provoking leadership topics with a national nursing leader.

The next Distinguished Lecture for the community will be held Jan. 10 to kick off the spring semester, and to welcome the second cohort of Executive D.N.P. students.

To learn more about the Executive D.N.P. program, visit nursing.ucf.edu or contact Dr. Diane Andrews at diane.andrews@ucf.edu.

“For busy nurse leaders, the program promotes out-of-the-box thinking to shake up what they are already doing, to support them in becoming change leaders,” said Associate Dean for Graduate Affairs and Professor Susan Chase. “They’re not just responding to new policies, but informing the policy and putting into practice the evidence that is there.”

The federal Institute of Medicine and other groups are calling for more advanced educational programs as the nation’s healthcare environment grows ever more complex and demands of nurses a higher scientific knowledge and practice expertise. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and its member schools also support the growth of practice-based doctoral degrees to address national concerns about quality of care and patient safety. UCF’s program will prepare nurses to use the latest technologies, trends and research to address changing regulations and anticipated nursing shortages over the next decade.

Designed for working professionals, the part-time, flexible degree consists of online courses and an intensive three-day seminar at the start of each semester. The seminar brings together theory and practice to round out the comprehensive program.

Curriculum focuses on areas such as decision making, leadership and organizational analysis. In addition to opportunities for online collaboration with peers, the seminar will allow students to meet their professors and develop deeper relationships with faculty members and their colleagues. Nationally recognized leaders in healthcare will share their best practices during the seminars and in presentations open to interested nurses in the Orlando area.

The first group of students, who will stay together for the required nine semesters, starts coursework in January.

As nurse leaders and administrators plan for policy changes, the Executive D.N.P. will provide them with analytic skills they can use to actively impact the environments in which they work, be it acute care, clinics, community health programs, Magnet preparation, strategic planning or overall interdisciplinary leadership. Through study and testing of evidence-based practice strategies, students will learn how to evaluate and apply existing research to improve practice innovations and outcomes.

“It’s a new opportunity to prepare nurse executives from different backgrounds to change practice in ways which reflect their professional and personal interests,” said Diane Andrews, assistant professor and program coordinator.

Led by UCF’s outstanding practicing faculty who have been on the front lines of change, students will put what they learn to work. The degree culminates with a project that is completed during residency, which allows nurse executives to examine how to improve patient care and safety.

“We want them to think about the whole system of care, such as how to guarantee quality for outcomes, while letting people on their teams be creative,” Associate Dean Chase said.

Nurse executives who hold a M.S.N. in Nursing Leadership and Management are encouraged to apply. However, interested, registered nurse leaders with a non-nursing master’s degree also may apply.

An online application with all supporting application materials is due Oct. 1. Eligibility will be considered with a portfolio review to determine course equivalency and verification of completed practice/laboratory hours.

For candidates without a M.S.N., individual plans of study will be developed to include missing elements of the M.S.N. curriculum. Interested applicants may review additional program information and apply online at聽www.nursing.ucf.edu/academics/Executive_MSN-DNP.asp.

Susan K. Chase has been appointed associate dean for graduate affairs at the University of Central Florida’s College of Nursing.

Chase will assume her new role Jan. 1, replacing Jean Kijek, who was the college’s first associate dean for graduate affairs. Kijek will return to the UCF nursing faculty to devote her efforts to teaching.

Chase, whose academic nursing career spans more than 30 years, came to UCF in August 2009 as a professor in the College of Nursing’s graduate program. Previously, she was a professor and assistant dean for graduate studies at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing in Boca Raton, Fla.

“Dr. Susan Chase’s extensive experience in nursing education, administration, research, practice and community service makes her an excellent role model and leader in nursing,” said Jean Leuner, dean of the UCF College of Nursing.

Chase earned a Doctor of Education at Harvard University, and a Master of Arts degree in Nursing with a concentration in biophysical pathology at New York University. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from Vanderbilt University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Columbia University. She is board certified as a family nurse practitioner and as an advanced registered nurse practitioner.

Chase’s area of research expertise includes decision-making by nurses, nurse practitioners, patients and families. She has also developed models for faith-based community nursing. Her research findings have been published in more than 25 peer-reviewed journals and 19 books. She is the author of the nursing textbook, “Clinical Judgment and Communication in Nurse Practitioner Practice,” published by F.A. Davis in 2004.

Her many honors include Boston College’s Faculty Distinguished Service Award and the Yvonne Munn Nursing Research Award from Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Nursing. She was also named a Distinguished Practitioner of National Academies of Practice, and was selected as an Academic Leadership Fellow by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Chase has also been recognized in the Who’s Who in American Nursing as well as Who’s Who in American Education, and was nominated as the distinguished teacher of the year in 2006 at Florida Atlantic University.