The evolution of the nursing profession and the caliber of care we provide patients depend upon our commitment to education, research, evidence-based and compassionate practice, and service – to our patients, our communities and one another.
The next generation of baccalaureate-prepared clinical nurses, advanced practice nurses/nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists, along with nurse executives and public health nursing professionals, need role models and teachers to guide them in developing strong therapeutic relationships with patients and families. Our undergraduate and graduate nursing students need patient-facing experiences to practice what they have learned and formulate treatment and communication strategies for the future, supervised by experienced and encouraging mentors. They need opportunities to take on the role of the educator or mentor themselves, drawing upon their own experiences to enlighten and inspire fellow nurses in their academic and clinical development.
In this issue, you will learn how our faculty are developing a regionwide Clinical Nurse Educator Academy to prepare the next crop of clinical faculty and preceptors who are so critically needed to ensure a strong future for our profession and health care as a whole. You will meet some of the incredible preceptors who dedicate their time and talent to guiding our undergraduate, nurse anesthesia, nurse practitioner and doctoral students through their clinical training. Additionally, you will see how student- and faculty-led organizations within the School of Nursing are allowing us to make important strides in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and student support, and learn about our Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation, which will be a game changer for our students’ clinical preparation.
Once again, I am heartened by and incredibly proud of our dedicated, and frequently selfless, faculty and staff, students, alumni, partners and donors who never waver in their commitment to our mission, our students and the communities we serve.
Demetrius Porche, DNS, PhD, PCC, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN
Dean and Helen A. and James B. Dunn Professor
Louisiana State University Health – New Orleans School of Nursing
