Office of the Dean

May 6, 2024

Today marks the beginning of National Nurses Week (May 6-12)! We honor each one of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni who represent Seattle University College of Nursing so well throughout our city, region, state, and nation. We also beam with pride and optimism of the impact that our immediate next cohorts of nurses who complete our undergraduate and graduate programs will make as they move onto professional practice with brilliance as Redhawk Nurses. And, beyond that, we, of course, pay tribute to all nurses globally who selflessly dedicate their lives to bettering the health and well-being of others.

According to the annual Gallup 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll, nurses remained the most trusted profession for the 22^nd straight year. While this is certainly worth highlighting, this comes as no surprise to us at Seattle University given our rootedness in the Jesuit tradition which is reflected in the ways we approach educating and inspiring leaders who will transform health care for a just and humane world.

Thinking back on my 31 years across various roles in professional practice and academia, I am reminded of so many moments, big and small, where being a nurse has benefited me as well as allowed me, as Pedro Arrupe, a prior Superior General of the Jesuits, encouraged, to be a person for others. And, every day, throughout our College of Nursing community, I see glowing acts of caring and kindness extended between and beyond our faculty, staff, and students, that power me forward.

To commemorate this year’s National Nurses Week, I share with you two things that brighten my emotions about being a nurse. First, as we gain more distance from and shed, though for some still continue to endure, the struggles, pains, and losses from the pandemic over the past few years, the poem “The Miracle of Morning" (recited radiantly by its author Amanda Gorman here) offers more than a glimmer of optimism as we move ahead with each new day striving to become “… the best of beings” (special thanks to Assistant Dean Marilyn Cope for calling attention to these beautiful words). Second, as member of the American Nurses Association, I look forward to seeing nurses spotlighted against the backdrop of illuminated city landmarks across the nation through the Nurses Light Up the Sky campaign.

Happy Nurses Week to all, whether already or soon-to-be, nurses!

February 16, 2024

It’s been an exciting, energetic, and enriching time for me since stepping into the Deanship of the College of Nursing last July. I’ve gotten better acquainted with faculty and staff throughout our college and the university and have had wonderful opportunities to engage with our students. Everyone has made settling in easy and enjoyable. I’m so appreciative of the continued warmth and ready assistance extended by all. I can honestly say that I do not feel like I am new to Seattle University anymore. That said, I sincerely look forward to deeper engagement with all that Seattle University offers and greater rapport with all members of its community.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Black History Month

As we move through the first quarter of 2024, in January, taking time to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrating Black history throughout February, it is important to reaffirm our institution’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. I celebrated the holiday dedicated to Dr. King and his accomplishments by attending a mass at our Chapel of St. Ignatius organized by the Black Catholic Advisory Circle.

In our Jesuit tradition, I remind that we must respond to Dr. King’s statement that, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” I’m proud that our academic programs are designed to educate and inspire leaders to transform health care for a just and humane world. Recognizing and attending to the needs of those who are marginalized and oppressed by unfair systems and actions are core to how we at Seattle University prepare health care professionals.

Congratulations to our Newest Redhawk Nurses!

I’m pleased to share that we saw high success among BSN graduates and current DNP students completing their NCLEX exams in 2023. These pass rates reflect the commitment of our faculty and staff to prepare students for the new generation NCLEX exam and provide them with firm footing as they proceed into professional practice.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing program traditional 4-year graduates: First-time pass rates was 89.61% with an overall rate of 94.8%
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing program transfer graduates: First-time pass rates was 82.1% with an overall rate of 90.5%
• Doctoral students in the Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion program: First-time pass rates was 92.75% and the overall pass rate was 97.1%

I extend heartfelt congratulations to all of you who completed this important step on your way to starting your nursing career.

New Nursing Advisory Board

I welcome and thank all the members of our newly convened Academic Nursing Advisory Board. This advisory board will provide a channel for perspectives from nurses in professional practice, health systems leadership positions, and community-/public-service roles to guide our pursuits to fulfill our mission and actualize our vision. Our College of Nursing leadership team is thrilled to have these wonderful, well-accomplished nurses advise and support us in delivering high-quality education and training across our undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Many thanks to each of them for agreeing to serve.