Nursing Advisory Council is at heart of School of Nursing success
“The Nursing Advisory Council members (pictured above) are the bridge-builders who go out into our community, spread the word and draw attention and much-needed support for our vital missions. We would not be where we are today if it were not for their leadership and advocacy.”
– Eileen Breslin, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, School of Nursing dean
The nursing profession is one of the most critical and respected professions in the health care industry. Today, the nurse’s role is more important than ever, particularly because of the increase in the aging population and the health care needs the elderly require. By 2030, persons 65 and older will number more than 72 million, which is twice their number in 2000. As a result, the shortage of and demand for nurses in the United States is expected to increase.
In addition, with the national move toward health care reform, nursing schools across the country, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, are struggling to expand educational programs and training to meet the rising demand for top-notch professionals.
Thanks to the leadership of Eileen Breslin, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, School of Nursing dean, with support from the School of Nursing Advisory Council (NAC), the UT Health Science Center’s School of Nursing is excelling at a rapid pace in preparing nurses for the changing landscape and future of health care.
In 2009, Dean Breslin began a bold $15 million initiative “Transforming the Future of Nursing Care” focused on the school’s unique missions of education, research community service and clinical care, with the following goals:
- Increase enrollment of outstanding students;
- Recruit, retain and educate distinguished faculty
- Expand nursing research excellence;
- Broaden nursing curriculum and innovative teaching approaches; and
- Update the academic environment, including facilities, technology and laboratories.
“Today, our blueprint for nursing education is becoming a reality,” Dean Breslin said. “Through the leadership and vision of our Nursing Advisory Council, the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations and the scholarly efforts of our faculty, we have achieved phenomenal success.”
Dean Breslin reported the School of Nursing’s endowment portfolio has grown to more than $5 million, the highest it has ever been. Program and capital gifts grew to more than $7 million over the past two years, and living endowment funds grew to more than $355,000 for student scholarships since 2004.
Through a partnership with and support from University Health System and the Economic Development Administration, and gifts nearing $3 million from local foundations, corporations, individual donors, the Nursing Advisory Council and from federal funding, the School of Nursing, in 2010, embarked on construction of a state-of-the-art clinical skills and simulation center for use by nursing, medical and other health care students and professionals.
“The Nursing Advisory Council members are at the heart of our school’s success,” Dean Breslin said. “They are the bridge-builders who go out into our community, spread the word and draw attention and much-needed support for our vital missions. We would not be where we are today if it were not for their leadership and advocacy.”
