I’d like to offer a sincere thank you to the alumni, faculty, staff and students of the UW Oshkosh College of Nursing (CON) for extending such a warm welcome to me during my transition to dean.
In my first months I have been so pleased to learn about the CON’s many exceptional resources and opportunities. Given the changes in society and healthcare, it is vital nurse graduates possess the knowledge and skills required of them to excel in increasingly inter-professional and global environments. It takes just the right mix of components to make this happen.
First and foremost, we offer a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs that provide the latest in nursing education in accordance with our profession and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), our accrediting organization.
Our faculty members are recognized within and beyond Wisconsin for their scholarly work and participation in moving the nursing profession forward to meet the needs of the future. Our students are encouraged to engage in nursing and interdisciplinary research and in other scholarly activities and projects under the mentorship of our expert faculty scholars.
High-fidelity simulation and laboratory equipment allow students to develop confidence before and while practicing their skills in real clinical environments. Our new space, scheduled to open in early 2016, will have new laboratories, classrooms and simulation equipment to rival any in Wisconsin.
Our Living Health Community Clinic provides a venue for students and faculty to give back to the surrounding community by offering healthcare services to people who might not otherwise have access. Meanwhile, study-abroad opportunities enable students to explore the delivery of healthcare in other parts of the world.
Finally, we are so proud of our strong relationships with our outstanding alumni, vital community partners and clinical organizations. These partnerships enable our students to obtain a wide spectrum of clinical experience to prepare them to function as nurses in a changing healthcare environment.
I look forward to the months and years ahead as we work together to continue to build on our strong tradition of developing caring and scholarly nurse leaders.
Best regards,
Leslie Neal-Boylan
Ph.D., CRRN, APNP, FAAN
Dean and Professor