The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) announces that Dr. Justin Fontenot will be completing his term as Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of Teaching and Learning in Nursing (TELN), OADN’s official society journal. For the past three years, Dr. Fontenot has provided visionary leadership that has significantly strengthened the journal’s position within the nursing education landscape, particularly for associate degree nursing (ADN) programs. Building on his earlier service as Associate Editor, he advanced TELN’s trajectory even further during his tenure as EiC.
During this time, TELN experienced substantial growth in visibility, readership, and scholarly impact. In 2025, the journal doubled its submissions, reflecting the growing confidence in TELN as a leading home for nursing education scholarship. Under Dr. Fontenot’s direction, the journal secured its first impact factor and continued its upward CiteScore trend—clear indicators of TELN’s expanding influence. Strategic outreach initiatives, consistently strong content, and deeper engagement with ADN educators further elevated the journal’s profile.
“Dr. Fontenot’s leadership has elevated Teaching and Learning in Nursing in ways that will benefit associate degree nursing programs for years to come,” notes OADN President Lynette Apen, DNP, RN, CNS, CNE. “His ability to expand the journal’s visibility, strengthen its scholarly rigor, and open new pathways for ADN educators to publish has been truly transformative. The advancements TELN has made under his guidance reflect not only his professional expertise but also his deep belief in the power of ADN education. We are profoundly grateful for his service and the lasting impact he has made.”
Dr. Fontenot also introduced new columns that demystified the publishing process for ADN faculty, expanded the peer reviewer pool, strengthened reviewer engagement, and oversaw notable growth in international submissions and collaborations. He led high-impact special issues, including one on civility in nursing education with Guest Editor Dr. Cynthia Clark and another on climate change and nursing education with Guest Editors Dr. Tracy Levett-Jones and Dr. Aletha Ward. He broadened the editorial board to support the journal’s momentum and helped position TELN as a respected and rising contender among nursing education journals.
His accomplishments have earned recognition beyond OADN. Dr. Fontenot was recently selected from an international pool of candidates to join the esteemed Wiley Nursing portfolio, which includes several of the world’s leading nursing journals—a reflection of his vision, dedication, and enduring commitment to advancing the profession.
“Dr. Fontenot has positioned TELN as a respected and influential voice within nursing education—nationally and internationally,” says OADN Chief Executive Officer Rick García, PhD, RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FNYAM, FAADN, FAAN. “His leadership strengthened the journal’s foundation, expanded its reach, and fostered a supportive environment for emerging scholars. These accomplishments advance OADN’s mission and reinforce the essential role of ADN programs in shaping the nursing workforce. We thank Dr. Fontenot for his exceptional contributions and celebrate the strong trajectory he has set for TELN’s future.”
As TELN begins its next chapter, Dr. Melissa Mastorovich, Associate Editor, will serve as Interim Editor-in-Chief. Her deep familiarity with the journal and longstanding service will ensure continuity of operations and seamless publication of upcoming issues while OADN conducts a national search and completes the selection process.
OADN extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Fontenot for his extraordinary service, dedication, and advocacy on behalf of ADN educators and students. His leadership has created a strong foundation for TELN’s future, and the journal is well-positioned for continued growth and success.