Dear colleagues,
As we enjoy the beautiful spring season here in Boston, National Nurses Week and Month have begun and Commencement is this Friday. I look back on my first eleven months on the job with immense pride and gratitude – and embrace the new beginning that this time of year presents.
I would like to share my appreciation for all those who have supported, and continue to support, our mission in the School of Nursing. We wouldn’t be able to provide the high-quality knowledge and mentoring for the next generation of nurses, advanced practice providers, nurse educators, and leaders without our diverse community. From our faculty and staff here at the IHP, to our alumni and nurses in the Mass General Brigham system and beyond who provide learning experiences to our students in clinical settings, all of whom are critical to our continued strength. We especially thank those faculty who not only oversee student placements and facilitate the overall student experience, but do so while savings lives.
As we prepare for Friday’s graduation, it’s a time to reflect on new beginnings. The word “commencement” means beginning – a welcome reminder of the new opportunities this chapter represents for us all. While this week marks the end of an academic career for our graduating nurses, it also offers them a chance to reset and refresh before starting their exciting new careers. New experiences and adventures are ahead for us all, and I couldn’t be happier to send them forth into careers of great impact and healing. Their commitment to increasing health equity for all is truly inspiring.
Yet another success this year has been our ability to evolve and transform in the face on the ongoing pandemic. We’ve all had to adapt to ever-changing models of instruction and pivot frequently to meet the needs of our community. I am immensely grateful not only to our exceptional nursing faculty and staff, but all the staff at the IHP who have rallied together to help modify our approach and reconceptualized teaching, learning, and clinical experiences through telehealth.
Despite everything, we have thrived thanks to the wonderful people who comprise the SON. This culminated in our impressive rankings from the U.S. News & World Report. In March, our Doctor of Nursing Practice program ranked as the top program in Boston and our Master of Science in Nursing ranked third in Massachusetts. And last fall, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing was ranked as the third highest program in New England in the first year the publication ranked that degree. These accolades highlight our growth and sustained excellence.
All in all, I am grateful for all we’ve accomplished this year, from our ability to redefine learning in an unpredictable world to our national rankings and collaborative environment. Through it all, our faculty, staff, and students have truly shined, rallying together to support one another in creating a supportive learning environment. What’s more, we’ve deepened our relationships, expanded our horizons, and even launched new programs.
I cannot wait to see what this next year will offer us here at the School of Nursing and beyond. I welcome this new beginning and challenge you all to do the same.
Always your biggest fan,
Dr. Ken White
Dean and Professor
School of Nursing