Please join OADN in congratulating the 2023 Inductees to the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing!
Academy members are those actively engaged in associate degree nursing education or practice, with proven records of excellence in their institutions and a demonstrated commitment to the health of their communities.
The honorary academy fellowship recognizes those individuals who have worked to transform health and education throughout the breadth of their careers. Honorary fellows have worked in education and practice, as well as other fields such as advocacy and service.
OADN celebrates all fellows of the AADN and their remarkable contributions to students, faculty, patients, communities, and the nurse leaders of tomorrow. Fellows will be inducted on November 16, 2023, during the OADN Convention at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, CA.
2023 Academy Fellows
Rita Armstrong, DNP, MSN Ed, RN
Nursing Program Director
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Janeen Berndt, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CNE, CHSE, ACNS-BC National Director of Clinical Innovation and Integration
Galen College of Nursing
Louisville, Kentucky
Cynthia Maskey, PhD, RN, CNE
Dean of Health Professions
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois
Nancy N. Perry, DNP, RN, CNE
Nursing Program Director and
Allied Health Division Chair
Carroll Community College
Westminster, Maryland
Michael Wayne Rager, PhD, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, APRN, CNE
Chief Nursing Officer
Beckfield College
Florence, Kentucky
Tammy Vant Hul, PhD, MSN, RN, ACNP, CNE
Dean, School of Nursing
Riverside City College
Riverside, California
Heather V. Westerfield, DNP, RN, CNE, CMSRN
Director of Nursing and Professor of Nursing
Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, Maryland
Anna Williams, MNSc, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor of Nursing
University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Nursing
Little Rock, Arkansas
Sandra Reed Wilson, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNE
Director of Nursing
Crowder College
Neosho, Missouri
OADN continues our federal advocacy on your behalf as a member of the Nursing Community Coalition, where we work to ensure that nurses are supported and that nursing education is funded.
NCC Thanks Rep. Underwood and Sen. Booker for Introducing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act
On August 1, fifty-one members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) sent a letter to Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) thanking them for introducing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R.3305/S.1606).
OADN Elects Members to the Board of Directors & Nominating Committee
Board Treasurer & Secretary Appointments Announced
Many thanks to each of you who voted in the 2023 OADN Elections. Your votes represent a strong demonstration of your commitment to OADN and associate degree nursing education.
Based on your votes, we have the pleasure of announcing our newly elected OADN leaders. However, before doing so, we want to acknowledge the individuals who served on this year’s Nominating Committee: Chair Johni Beth Teague, Sofia John, Jennifer Smith, and committee advisor Katharine Elliott. These individuals worked diligently throughout the year to recruit and vet the many talented candidates on this year’s ballot. We are grateful to all the exceptional candidates who ran for office this year.
The OADN Board of Directors would also like to extend their gratitude to those candidates who applied for the Board Treasurer and Secretary appointed positions. Thank you to these accomplished and highly qualified members who answered the call to serve our national association.
Please join us in congratulating this year’s election winners:
President-Elect
Director Midwest Region
Director Southeast Region
Lynette V. Apen, DNP, RN, CNS, CNE
Director, Research Operations Strategy
Office of Research, Patient Care Services
Stanford Health Care
Palo Alto, California
Patricia Nabal, DNP, BS, FNP, RN-BC
Associate Dean of Nursing
City Colleges of Chicago
Malcom X College
Chicago, Illinois
Audria Denker, DNP, RN, FAADN, ANEF
Executive Vice President of Nursing
Galen College of Nursing
Louisville, Kentucky
OADN Announces $3,000 in Monetary Awards to the
Top Faculty & Student Posters at the 2023 OADN Convention in San Diego Made possible through the generous support of:
The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) is pleased to announce $3,000 in poster awards for the top faculty and student posters at the 2023 Convention, November 15 – 18 to be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Poster presentations and judging will take place on Friday, November 17, with awards being announced during the final general session on Saturday, November 18.
Trajecsys Corporation, a leading provider for Centralized Clinical Recordkeeping for Associate Degree of Nursing Schools and Programs, is continuing its support of the OADN and OADN Foundation in 2023.
“We are excited and honored to support nursing faculty through our Trajecsys Leadership Institute Scholarships and through our sponsorship of the 2023 OADN Convention poster awards,” said Brian Bright, CEO of Trajecsys. “We are thrilled to be able to give back to the nursing community and help support the next generation of nursing leaders.” Trajecsys provides nursing programs with proven tools to help manage and track nursing student time and attendance, skills tracking, forms, evaluations, and student surveys, as well as program Systemic Plan of Evaluation with our patented SPE Module – available to OADN members.
Post University is also a proud sponsor of the 2023 Student & Faculty Poster Awards this year. American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University offers a myriad of degree programs including RN-BSN, RN-BSN/MSN, MSN, MSN-NP, DNP, and MBA-Healthcare.
“Post University is proud to sponsor the poster process in order to support students’ research efforts, provide opportunities to sharpen presentation skills, and increase visibility within the research community,” said Kimberly Nerud Ph.D., RN, who serves as dean for American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Post University.
Thanks to the generous support of Tracjecsys and Post University, the top three posters in both faculty and student categories will be awarded:
First Prize: $750
Second Prize: $500
Third Prize: $250
Poster presentations provide students with the opportunity to present original research, hone their evidence-based practice competencies, and develop their skills as public speakers. Top consideration will be given to poster abstracts that present well-designed research or demonstration projects, particularly those that are evidence-based and include data.
This year’s convention theme, Turning the Tide of Nursing Education, focuses on innovative strategies and solutions to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing associate degree nursing (ADN). Nursing students have weathered community societal challenges and have emerged resilient recognizing the need to rise up and create a better today and turn the tide for a brighter future. Our joint journey through recent past challenges shined the spotlight on many key areas that ADN programs are now addressing to better prepare new graduate nurses.
Deadline for Student Posters extended to October 16, 2023
Students must be enrolled in a pre-licensure registered nursing program of any degree type. Graduate and RN-BSN students are not eligible.
Reflections on Leadership: Sustaining Excellence through Succession Planning
Dear OADN Members,
I hope this message finds you at the end of a pleasant summer break and ready to embrace a new fall academic term. I’ve always loved the first day of the school year as it is an exciting time to engage with new students and share innovative ideas for instruction. It also ushers in a renewed enthusiasm and commitment to guide our students on their journey toward becoming a nurse. For me, this season looks very different. In June, I retired from a program leadership role after 29 years, and now I am discovering my new normal. As I reflect, I am grateful to OADN for the invaluable resources it offers our programs, faculty, and students. In particular, I am indebted to the OADN Leadership Institute for helping support my program’s leadership succession plan.
Fifteen years ago, my predecessor believed in my ability as a future leader. Her vision for me was cast, and a succession plan was set in motion. For four years prior to my predecessor’s exit, she mentored me in an intentional way that in the end, yielded a seamless transition for our program. I wanted the same experience when developing my own succession plan. I recognized the leadership potential in one of my faculty members, so I supported her participation in the OADN Leadership Institute. Through her immersive experience in the cohort based OADN Leadership Institute, she gained tremendous insight into her own leadership capacity, which directly contributed to her pursuing the Program Administrator role at our school upon my retirement. This serves as an exemplar of three generations of leaders who benefitted from mentoring support along with expert guidance offered in the OADN Leadership Institute.
With the reality of faculty and program administrator shortages, we must consider succession planning as a solution for approaching retirements. Navigating the tumultuous waters of institutions that do not support succession planning requires great finesse. It involves open and transparent dialogue when approaching college officials. As is often the case, our nursing programs don’t fit the typical mold of other college departments. We are obliged to deliver strong outcomes to remain a viable program in the eyes of our regulatory and accrediting bodies. As program leaders, we must help college administrators understand the importance of seamless transitions to sustain those outcomes, which ultimately benefit our students, the nursing workforce, and the communities we serve.
Open and transparent dialogue is also necessary when approaching someone who possesses leadership potential. Casting that vision might be the first step in helping that person see themselves in a leadership role. Once identified, the purposeful work of mentoring can begin. Even though a formal succession plan was not in place at our school, I knew the success of our program required intentional action. For two years prior to my exit, I worked with my successor, introducing her to key people in our institution as well as in our community and state. When challenging situations arose, I asked her opinion, and with each exchange of ideas, her confidence grew. When the time came to find a new Program Administrator, the job was posted to uphold the process, but by that time the new leader had been identified and accepted, not just by me, but by her colleagues.
I encourage you to consider the OADN Leadership Institute for your own faculty leadership development and succession planning needs. Over the past two years, seven cohorts have successfully completed this outstanding program. OADN will soon launch the next round of applications for this one-of-a-kind member benefit. If, like me, you see an emerging leader on your team, this is the perfect time to consider supporting that individual by encouraging them to apply for the 2024 OADN Leadership Institute. Doing this ensured a seamless transition for my faculty and students and provided me with the confidence to move on from a program that I loved serving for 29 years.
What better way to leave a meaningful legacy than by taking the time to nurture a colleague, invest in their leadership journey through the OADN Leadership Institute and ensure your program’s sustained excellence?
Karen LaMartina, PhD, MSN, RN
OADN President
karen.larmartina@oadn.org
South Texas College and DHR Health celebrate STC becoming the first college in the country to receive U.S. Department of Labor certification for its nursing apprenticeship program. (Photo: STC)
South Texas College (STC), with its five campuses and two learning centers dotting the map along the Rio Grande in the rural southern tip of the state, has become the first college in the country to be certified by the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) for its nursing apprenticeship program.
The program, part of the college’s thriving Division of Nursing and Allied Health, which enrolls 1,100 largely first-generation students, will allow about 20 students next fall to earn at least $14 an hour while they get one-on-one rotations with nurse mentors in clinical experiences as part of their two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN).
“This partner apprenticeship program is a practical, sustainable solution to address the nursing shortage in our community, but, hopefully, this also will be an example and a national model for others to follow,” said Jayson Valerio, dean of the division, who noted that there is a critical, growing shortage of nurses nationally and in his region, where STC estimates that 11% of nursing positions now are unfilled.
An important recognition
“The designation for South Texas by the Labor Department is huge,” said Rick García, CEO of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN), an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges. “It is a significant win for the college and the community college system, which is such a critical part of nursing education and the nursing profession.”
He noted that such paid apprenticeships provide financial support that is crucial to nursing students often struggling to fit work, a rigorous nursing academic program and life commitments into their schedule.
“Too often, community colleges have not been recognized for the work they do for their students and in the communities they serve day in and day out,” Garcia added. “Nursing is one of the areas where that is the case. This puts a spotlight on and supports a program that is providing high-quality nursing education and training to a healthcare sector where it is critically needed.”
The Texas Workforce Commission, which collaborated with STC on the 17-month effort to obtain the first-in-the-nation designation and the accompanying $3 million DOL grant, estimates that over the next decade the state is going to face a gap of about 57,000 nurses.
Benefiting the profession
Valerio also noted that the American Nurses Association (ANA) has found that 18% of new registered nurses leave the profession within a year.
“By immersing nursing students in a clinical environment along with the STC associate degree in nursing curriculum, the program aims to acculturate them to the hospital’s practices and values,” he said.
That approach should increase nurse staffing satisfaction and retention, he continued, adding that the program will focus on “enhancing newly licensed nurses’ onboarding and orientation process” and create “a seamless transition for nursing graduates into their professional roles.”
Valerio said participating healthcare facilities will benefit because nursing students will become well-acquainted with hospital procedures and the patient population.
“That clinical readiness will contribute to their own professional development but also benefit the hospital by reducing the time and resources required for orientation of new nursing staff while integrating newly licensed nurses into the hospital’s system and potentially providing better patient care and safety,” he said.
“This is the right place to make an investment that is going to yield the highest dividends that you could ever imagine,” Rose Benavidez, chair of the STC board, said at a recent ceremony highlighting the designation.
Valerio noted that STC worked closely with DHR Health to develop standards for the apprenticeships, and the large healthcare system is providing one-to-one support.
“The RN [registered nursing] mentors in DHR Health are central to the success of the program. The goal of each RN mentor is to clinically educate and guide one nursing student throughout their associate degree in nursing journey, from day one until the student completes their degree,” he says, noting that both DHR and the college made training and developing the mentors a priority, which benefits the apprenticeship program along with nursing at DHR.
Additional gains
The STC’s nursing and allied health division also has received a $3 million DOL grant to enhance simulation technology and a $2 million grant from Hidalgo County to improve faculty salaries in order to retain strong educators and attract others, Valerio said. He noted that the nursing faculty vacancy rate nationally is 8.8%, with some 2,270 positions open.
“This should enhance the attractiveness of academic positions andincentivize experienced nurses to consider teaching roles,” Valerio said. “By helping to close the compensation gap and offering additional stipends, STC aims to make academic positions more attractive and competitive compared to clinical and private sector roles.”
The apprenticeships will initially be completed with DHR, which serves the region at more than 60 locations. Students will get 2,000 hours of clinical education, working with nurse mentors throughout the academic year. Additionally, they will complete 430 hours of classroom time, Valerio explained.
They will graduate with an ADN and become eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse, a prerequisite for obtaining an RN license in most states, he said.
“Our apprentices will be placed in a hospital, get assigned a nurse preceptor who will mentor them and will be a guaranteed job,” Valerio said. “Because the student will be acclimated to that hospital setting, it will minimize the onboarding period. They’ll be ready to hit the ground running. This really is a win-win for everyone involved.”
He said he hopes to enroll 20 students in the program initially this coming academic year but can foresee enrollment growing to 80.
Filling a role
García added that apprenticeships “bridge the gap between theory and practice” and are growing in popularity among community college nursing programs. He says along with retention of nurses and nursing educators, such training opportunities are a top priority for OADN.
“Additionally, the apprenticeship provides financial support, which is crucial to a nursing student,” he said. “Currently, many students are employed in a healthcare setting and trying to meet the academic rigor of a nursing program, which can create many challenges for them. The apprenticeship program is an excellent solution to provide paid clinical experience that meets the academic requirements.”
Community colleges have long been a critical link in nursing education, and apprenticeships are a logical enhancement of that role and are taking shape in a variety of forms, Garcia said. Although not classified as a DOL apprenticeship program, some healthcare facilities employ students in their last semester of nursing clinicals, for example, and provide them academic credit in exchange for the nursing graduate to work there for one year.
“Community colleges, as crucial players in associate degree nursing education, are actively embracing and implementing these programs,” he said. “They collaborate with local healthcare providers to establish partnerships that align academic curricula with the evolving demands of the healthcare sector.”
South Texas College nursing students participate in the celebration of the college’s registered apprenticeship program receiving DOL designation. (Photo: STC)
Are you and your faculty getting the full benefits of your OADN membership? We want to make sure that you are! As we gear up for the highly anticipated OADN Convention in San Diego, CA at the Manchester Grand Hyatt from November 15th to 18th, 2023, I write to you with immense excitement and anticipation.
This year’s convention, themed “Turning the Tide of Nursing Education,” is poised to be a transformative event for nursing educators, leaders, and students alike. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, explore new horizons, and collectively shape the future of nursing education. We encourage each one of you and your faculty to register soon, as room blocks are filling up, and you won’t want to miss the only national conference specifically tailored to provide essential resources for ADN education leaders.
With engaging keynote speakers, insightful workshops, and invigorating panel discussions, the OADN Convention 2023 is designed to provide faculty with a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and networking possibilities. Imagine being surrounded by like-minded professionals from across the country, eager to share their experiences and insights. The connections you make at this conference can become the foundation for future collaborations, friendships, and professional growth.
To ensure that you and your faculty have access to all the benefits of your OADN membership, it’s essential to keep your faculty list up to date. For any membership-related inquiries, please contact Harriet McClung, OADN’s Membership Services Representative. Harriet will be more than happy to assist you and ensure that both you and your faculty get the most out of your OADN membership.
As faculty, program directors, program managers, and deans in the field of nursing education, your role is critical in shaping the future of our profession. Your attendance at this convention not only enhances your own professional development but also reinforces your commitment to excellence in nursing education. Together, we can turn the tide and usher in a new era of innovation and progress in our noble field.
As we gear up for this landmark event, let us not forget that next year, OADN will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. It’s a testament to our enduring commitment to excellence in nursing education and advocacy for associate degree programs. The 2023 convention sets the stage for the grand celebration that lies ahead, and we want each one of you to be a part of this momentous journey.
The venue for this year’s convention, the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, is the epitome of elegance and comfort. Situated in the heart of the city, you and your colleagues will have access to breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay and convenient proximity to various attractions. Be sure to register soon to secure your accommodation and immerse yourselves fully in the convention experience.
To our sponsors, exhibitors, and supporters, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication to our mission. Your contributions make events like this possible, and we are grateful for your continued support.
In conclusion, I urge all faculty, program directors, program managers, and deans to seize this opportunity and register for the OADN Convention 2023 in San Diego. Join us as we turn the tide of nursing education, empowering ourselves and our students to reach new heights. This conference is bound to be an extraordinary experience that will leave a lasting impact on our professional journeys.
Thank you for being part of the OADN community, and we look forward to welcoming you in San Diego!
Rick García, Ph.D., RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FAADN
Chief Executive Officer
Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN), and
OADN Foundation
OADN continues our federal advocacy on your behalf as a member of the Nursing Community Coalition, where we work to ensure that nurses are supported and that nursing education is funded.
NCC Thanks Sen. Merkley for Introducing the Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2023
On July 24, 56 members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) sent a letter to Sen. Jeff Merkley and a bipartisan group of 11 cosponsors, thanking them for introducing the Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act (S.1446).
NCC Statement on the Senate FY 2024 Bipartisan Spending Bill
On July 28, the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) issued a statement commending the Senate Appropriations Committee for recognizing the importance of nursing education, workforce, and research by advancing their fiscal year (FY) 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill.
OADN is excited to share some new learning opportunities. Kaplan, a renowned leader in educational resources and support, is launching an exclusive webinar series tailored specifically for new nurse educators!
We understand that transitioning into the role of a nurse educator can be both rewarding and challenging. This new webinar series aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to succeed in your teaching journey and positively impact the next generation of nurses.
The 2023 Novice Nurse Educator Webinar Series will provide:
Comprehensive Content: The webinar series covers a wide range of topics essential for new nurse educators, including innovative teaching strategies, curriculum development, classroom management, assessment techniques, fostering critical thinking, and much more.
Expert Presenters: You will have the opportunity to learn from distinguished nursing education experts with extensive experience in academia. They will share best practices, insights, and practical tips to empower you in your role as an educator.
Interactive Sessions: These webinars are designed to be engaging and interactive, allowing you to actively participate, ask questions, and connect with other nurse educators facing similar challenges and opportunities.
Flexibility: Kaplan understands the demands of your busy schedules. The webinars will be recorded, so if you are unable to attend a live session, you can access the content at your convenience.
Ongoing Support: Beyond the webinar series, Kaplan is committed to providing ongoing support to all participants, including access to valuable resources, follow-up materials, and networking opportunities.
How to Participate:
Participating in the webinars is free of charge. OADN members are encouraged to register for each webinar that meets your faculty development needs.
*There is no cost to attend webinars. For more details about speakers, subtopics, links to join the webinars, and recordings of webinars, please use the button below. We look forward to seeing you!
Kaplan and OADN believe that investing in your professional development as a nurse educator is an investment in the future of nursing education. By joining this webinar series, you will be empowered to shape the next generation of nurses and contribute to the continuous improvement of nursing education. We extend our gratitude to Kaplan for offering this exceptional opportunity and supporting our mission to advance nursing education and the associate degree pathway.
Stay tuned for further updates on more webinars in this series coming this fall! To learn more about how Kaplan can help support you and your students, please reach out to your regional representative or request more information on Kaplan’s website.
Thank you for your dedication to nursing education, and we look forward to seeing you at the upcoming webinars!
I am thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you today! With great pleasure and immense pride, we announce that the official OADN journal Teaching and Learning in Nursing (TELN) has achieved its first-ever Impact Factor of 1.9. This remarkable milestone is a testament to the outstanding work and dedication of our esteemed contributors, reviewers, and editorial team.
Reaching an Impact Factor of 1.9 is a significant accomplishment showcasing our journal’s growing influence and recognition within the academic community. This metric measures the average number of citations received per article published in academic journals during a particular timeframe, serving as an essential indicator of scholarly impact and visibility. It demonstrates that the research and insights presented in TELN are making a meaningful impact, and the nursing education community and the broader scientific community consider our journal highly valuable.
This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our OADN members. Your contributions, whether as authors, reviewers, or avid readers, have been and will continue to be instrumental in shaping the journal’s success and elevating the field of nursing education. Your commitment to excellence and advancing pedagogy in nursing is genuinely commendable.
TELN is a robust platform for disseminating innovative teaching strategies, evidence-based practices, and research findings to enhance the science and practice of nursing education. By providing a forum for sharing knowledge and experiences, our journal contributes to nurse educators’ professional growth and development worldwide. The Impact Factor of 1.9 validates our efforts and reaffirms the importance of our work.
As we celebrate this momentous milestone, let us also take a moment to express our gratitude to the entire editorial team for their tireless efforts and expertise. And to our Associate Editor, Dr. Melissa Mastorovich. Their dedication and commitment to upholding the highest standards of scholarly publishing have undoubtedly played a crucial role in achieving this remarkable recognition. The editorial team and board would like to recognize the previous editor-in-chief, Dr. Anna Valdez, for her leadership that paved the way to this milestone.
I encourage all OADN members to continue supporting TELN by submitting innovative research, insightful commentaries, and thought-provoking perspectives. Together, we can build upon this success and further enhance the impact and influence of our journal and Associate Degree Nursing.
Once again, congratulations to everyone involved in the journey of TELN. Let us celebrate this milestone as a testament to our collective commitment to advancing scholarship excellence in nursing education.
With sincere appreciation and warmest regards,
Justin Fontenot, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAADN
Editor in Chief Teaching and Learning in Nursing
“This partner apprenticeship program is a practical, sustainable solution to address the nursing shortage in our community, but, hopefully, this also will be an example and a national model for others to follow,” said Jayson Valerio, dean of the division, who noted that there is a critical, growing shortage of nurses nationally and in his region, where STC estimates that 11% of nursing positions now are unfilled.
“Too often, community colleges have not been recognized for the work they do for their students and in the communities they serve day in and day out,” Garcia added. “Nursing is one of the areas where that is the case. This puts a spotlight on and supports a program that is providing high-quality nursing education and training to a healthcare sector where it is critically needed.”
As we gear up for this landmark event, let us not forget that next year, OADN will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. It’s a testament to our enduring commitment to excellence in nursing education and advocacy for associate degree programs. The 2023 convention sets the stage for the grand celebration that lies ahead, and we want each one of you to be a part of this momentous journey.
