Celebrating 50+ Years of Nursing: A Q&A with Dean Nash

Founded in 1974, UofL’s School of Nursing has been building on the success of educating generations of nurses for over 50 years.

School of Nursing Dean Whitney Nash, PhD, NP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, shares her personal history with the School, the issues current nurses face, and what she looks forward to changing for the future of nursing.

UofL: As the Dean and an alum of the School of Nursing, tell us about your history with the School.

W.N.: I began my journey with UofL in 1995 as a graduate student in the ANP Adult Nurse Practitioner program (ANP).  It was weekends only at the time, and I was working full-time teaching at Ivy Tech. Then, I returned to UofL in 2005 as an instructor and a student in the first cohort of the PhD program. Over 17 years, I held multiple positions and, before leaving, I was the Associate Dean of Practice and Service and Assistant Vice President of Interprofessional Practice Partnerships for HSC. In 2022, I left the University to become the Dean of the Waters College of Health Professions at Georgia Southern. I was then fortunate to be offered the role of Dean of the School of Nursing and to return to UofL in July 2024.
 

UofL: What makes UofL Nursing’s programs stand out?

W.N.: The variety of entry points for anyone who has an interest in nursing makes us unique. Everyone has a pathway from the brand-new high school grad to the master’s prepared nurse practitioner who would like to extend their education at the doctoral level. We have extraordinary relationships with the healthcare systems throughout the commonwealth, which provide diverse clinical opportunities to our students. In addition, we have exceptional faculty who provide the depth and breadth of knowledge that ensures that our graduates are prepared to practice in the challenging healthcare environment.

UofL: What are some of the most significant changes you’ve seen in the field of Nursing?

W.N.: One of the major shifts for nurses in the modern age is the widening use of technology in patient care. Most graduates practice in acute care and hospital settings, and many of them see sicker patients than I did when I worked in those roles. Although beneficial, the advancements in technology have created a workflow that emphasizes high-tech, low-touch experiences for patients and nurses. Technology is amazing, and advancements like electronic health records help us be more efficient. However, when you spend so much time with tech, what can be lost is the important face-to-face interaction with our patients.

UofL: What are some of the modern challenges nurses are seeing today?

W.N.: Two modern challenges immediately come to mind. The first is workplace violence. In my five years as an emergency room nurse, I saw three gunshot wounds. It was also very unusual to see a drug overdose. It happened, but not often. Hospitals used to be a safe haven. Currently, gun violence and drug-related issues are commonplace inside our institutions. Today’s nurses have to deal with an increased frequency of violence and potentially unsafe work situations. We are fortunate to see these issues being addressed at a legislative level, where nurses’ safety is being taken seriously.

The second major modern challenge is staffing ratios. Even though technology is helping us be more efficient, the ratios haven’t really changed, and the stress of having to care for more patients is a concern. Plus, with increased turnover trending upward, nurses are constantly working with new staff, which poses unique challenges.

UofL: How has our nursing program impacted our community?

W.N.:  At UofL, we are fortunate to be aligned with a large healthcare system that is committed to working alongside the community as a whole. For nursing, this commitment to community engagement has allowed the School to focus on local healthcare needs and provide opportunities for students to get a better understanding of the diverse healthcare and economic needs of patients.

UofL: You were a guest at the School of Nursing’s 50^th celebration. Tell us more about that.

W.N.: This event, held in April 2024, was a chance to recognize, appreciate, and celebrate the incredible journey of nursing education at UofL over the past 50 years. Dr. Mary DeLetter, interim dean at the time and Nursing alumni (’80), spearheaded the event. It was an impressive celebration with alumni, faculty, staff, the provost, and students. I was nostalgic looking back, but more importantly, I was inspired looking forward to the next 50 years.

One month before this event, it was announced that I would be assuming the Dean position, which allowed me the opportunity to speak to those in attendance and share a brief glimpse of my thoughts for the future of the School of Nursing. It was a full-circle moment for me.

I’m grateful for Dr. DeLetter, as she laid the foundation that helped jumpstart what is now a fiscally sound and robust School that is so well positioned to address the workforce needs of our community.

UofL: What is one thing you hope to see happen in nursing in the next 50 years?

W.N.: Beyond improving safety for our nurses, quantifying their incredible contributions from a monetary standpoint is imperative. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare delivery system. The care they provide from the bedside to the innovations that come from our nurse scientists clearly needs to be valued at a level beyond what is currently displayed. Restructuring the reimbursement model is a critical element in this process. I am hopeful that our nurse leaders will continue this conversation for the benefit of our next generation of nurses.