Director's Welcome
As part of my welcome message in the foundational issue of the Carroll College Nursing Newsletter this past fall, I remarked that it is not enough to solely reflect on the past and charging all of us to envision a future brimming with endless possibilities and limitless potential in the untrodden paths of the future. In this context, I am thrilled to share about a new opportunity that is underway for current and future Carroll College Nursing students.
Given that one of our Nursing Program Learning Outcomes is that our graduates will “Engage in social, political, financial, policy, and regulatory environments that affect nursing and the health care system,” it seems fitting that our students be presented with the opportunity to garner this experience on a national scale.
Every March, I have the honor of attending the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Deans Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., an event that offers a distinctive opportunity to explore the most recent data, innovations, and strategies concerning policy, leadership, higher education, and workforce-related issues. The AACN Student Policy Summit is held concurrently, engaging a limited number of baccalaureate and graduate nursing students to learn about the power of advocacy in our nation’s capital through program sessions focused on the federal policy process and nursing’s role in professional advocacy.
Starting this March, I am excited to announce that I will be traveling with representatives from our traditional and accelerated nursing tracks to participate in this event!
Students and graduates often have a hard time imagining themselves in this type of role and I am delighted they will have the opportunity to realize the power of their advocacy voice. Additionally, participation in this summit will create a valuable forum for hands-on learning that can be shared with other students upon their return. The knowledge, experience, and networking experienced during this event can have a lifelong impact on the students who attend and on all our nursing students as they continue to lead within the profession.
Knowing that the cost of attending the AACN Student Policy Summit can be prohibitive for some, we are hoping to develop a fund to help off-set these costs. If this is something you would be interested in supporting, keep an eye out for this year’s Saints Giving Day Nursing program cause on March 21-22! This event is a great example of how every gift, no matter the size, makes an incredible difference to the students and programs at Carroll College.
Let us remember that building for the future requires courage, perseverance, and unwavering belief in ourselves and in others. It calls for the audacity to step outside our comfort zones, to embrace change, and to take risks. In the Carroll College Nursing program, we will continue to support this endeavor and foster the belief that our students and our graduates can play an integral part in the change they wish to see!
With gratitude,
Lauren Swant, DNP, MSN, RNC-NIC, CNE, CPHQ
Associate Professor
Director of Nursing, Department Chair