Bonnie Nickasch
The nursing profession has faced unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing pandemic. Nurses have remained at the front lines providing care and support to individuals, families and communities. Therefore, it is fitting that the World Health Organization named 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and designated 2021 as the International Year of the Nurse Continued.
Experiences during the pandemic have elevated the resilience and perseverance of more than 3.8 million registered nurses throughout the world. The nursing profession has been put to the test and continues to excel. Throughout these experiences, nursing faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to provide education and support to nursing students in the face of an ever-evolving response to the pandemic and its effect on education. These diligent efforts are rewarded when we see our new graduates join the profession as competent, safe and well-prepared clinicians.
It is extremely rewarding to be involved in the education of future nurses. Witnessing the innovation and devotion of the nursing profession over the past 12-18 months has deepened my desire to continue our proud tradition of excellence in nursing education. During my time as interim dean, my goal is to guide the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s College of Nursing faculty and staff in continuing the excellent tradition of developing caring and scholarly leaders who positively impact contemporary and future healthcare.
The latest issue of CONtact magazine highlights a student’s Doctor of Nursing Practice telehealth project that came at just the right time during the pandemic; and a Wisconsin Partnership Program grant that showcased dozens of UWO CON students stepping up to help vaccinate the community in the fight against COVID-19.
You’ll read about the online Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator programs and how the CON helps to address a national shortage of qualified nursing faculty. Rounding out this issue, there are intriguing News and Notes, scholarship updates and CON’s always-impressive Points of Pride.
I invite you to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and connect with us at UWO, college and alumni events. Thank you for your support of the College of Nursing.
Bonnie Nickasch
Interim Dean College of Nursing
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