A Message From the Dean

In this time of severe and growing shortage of nurses and nursing faculty, many believe the solution is to simply turn out more nurses faster, maintaining the nursing status quo. This dated approach does not foster the development of new educational programs, or the testing of new practice models. Rather, such innovations become viewed as “diversions.”

The alumni and faculty of the UF College of Nursing believe we can never fix our broken health care systems or provide high quality nursing care for every patient by embracing the status quo. We view the current shortage as a tremendous opportunity to improve the future of health care — a chance to better educate nurses and reform delivery models so that every professional nurse is utilized to the full extent of her or his knowledge, skill and ability. For these reasons, we are pioneering the Clinical Nurse Leader and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs, and in partnership with clinical care leaders, are exploring new and better ways to shape health care so that interdisciplinary teamwork is fostered and patients are the central focus of our efforts. We are also preparing a new generation of nursing faculty who will educate and inspire professional nurses to be risk-takers and innovators, not satisfied with “good enough” nursing practice.

The status quo has never been acceptable in our College of Nursing. Founding Dean Dorothy Smith challenged all who worked with her to change nursing for the better. The motto that guided our 50th anniversary celebration has never been more relevant. Every graduate is prepared to “care, lead, inspire”; every faculty member understands that teaching, research and practice must move nursing to a new place. As our alumni, friends and supporters, I urge you to join with us as we advance the profession on behalf of those we serve. Your encouragement, your gifts and your ideas are essential to move us to tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Ann Long
Dean, College of Nursing