The University of Portland’s School of Nursing receives two national awards

The University of Portland’s School of Nursing received two of six national awards that were presented this week at the semi-annual meeting of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in Washington, D.C.

The first honor bestowed on UP was the Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award that was inspired by Terry Misener, the University of Portland’s nursing dean who passed away last summer.

Innovations cited include the University’s Dedicated Education Unit Clinical Teaching Model, and the Providence Scholarship Program to support an increased nursing workforce. Also cited were the University’s Clinical Nurse Leader program and newly created Doctorate of Nursing Practice program. AACN also applauded the school’s creative uses of simulation in both faculty development and student training.

“To receive AACN’s inaugural award for innovation was a high honor,” noted interim nursing dean Joanne Warner, who accepted the awards. “It was fitting to celebrate Terry as a brilliant sparkplug for these innovative ideas, and equally important to honor the courageous team of faculty and staff who provide the engine to accomplish them.”

UP School of Nursing also received the AACN/Hartford Institute Award for Exceptional Baccalaureate Curriculum in Gerontologic Nursing. Accepting this award were nursing professors Karen Cameron and Casey Shillam, who provide leadership in the School of Nursing’s Client Partner Project.

“The project introduces beginning nurses to older adults and strengthens geriatric content in our courses,” says Warner. “Other schools want to replicate this model of elder client partners as ‘first teachers.’ Accepting these prestigious awards was a proud moment for UP.”