Dear friends and colleagues,
There is something that is always so exciting about a new academic year; the excitement of what is to come and all that we will experience in the “new year”.
The School of Nursing has so much to celebrate and experience this Fall. We are thrilled to welcome a new class of students and achieve new levels of success in our learning community.
We have much to highlight:
- Comprehensive review and site visit for Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education re-accreditation
- Recognition by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence for teaching excellence
- Bestowal of the NLN’s President’s award to our professor and former Dean, Dr. Elaine Tagliareni
- Celebration of the 150th anniversary of the MGH School of Nursing
- Induction of Drs. Suellen Breakey, Rebecca Hill, Brenna Morse, and Margie Sipe as Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing
- Conclusion of my two-year elected term as President of the American Academy for Nursing and presiding host of the Academy’s 2023 Health Policy Conference and celebration of its 50th anniversary
Our faculty have been working hard the past year on evaluating and revising all program curricula to keep pace with important changes in nursing education. Our prelicensure faculty team are eager to launch a revised 12-month ABSN curriculum in January 2024. Also, we will also welcome our first full cohort of students in the Master of Science in Leadership in Nursing Education in January 2024.
Our expert faculty and staff are prepared and ready to usher in the new academic year. Much planning has resulted in revised course syllabi, creation of new courses, new clinical placement sites, orientation of clinical instructors and preceptors, expanded faculty development offerings—all to ensure the best possible learning experience for our students.
We welcome our new and returning students as we begin a new semester and academic year. Although the majority of our students are from New England, we have students from 19 states who have moved to Boston to pursue the dream of becoming a nurse or advancing education in nursing. It is a huge commitment in time and money to relocate, pursue full-time studies, purchase textbooks and navigate daunting healthcare organizations.
I wish all of you a “happy new year” as we work together to build our community ever stronger, ever healthier, and ever committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. My hope is that you will find joy in learning and working as we join hands for the goal of healthy lives for all people and communities.
Your biggest fan,
Kenneth R. White, PhD, AGACNP, ACHPN, FACHE, FAAN
Dean and Professor, School of Nursing
Associate Chief Nurse, Academic Affairs; Massachusetts General Hospital