DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSING

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1 DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSING OVERVIEW Widener University invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the School of Nursing. The Dean is the chief administrative officer of the School, reports directly to the Provost, serves with the deans of six other schools and the College of Arts and Sciences on the Deans Council and the President s Senior Leadership Team, and is the official liaison between the School s faculty and the Provost. Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, Carnegie-classified doctoral institution, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. The university s robust diversity agenda embodies the values of access, inclusion, academic excellence, innovation, and leadership. Located in Chester, Pennsylvania, Widener s main campus is situated midway between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with additional campuses in Exton and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware. In addition to the School of Nursing, the university offers programs through: the College of Arts Sciences; the School of Business Administration; the School of Education, Innovation, and Continuing Studies; the School of Engineering; the School of Hospitality Management; the School of Human Service Professions; and, the School of Law. For more information about the University, please visit our website at Application and nomination procedures are described at the end of this document. THE UNIVERSITY University Background. Widener University is distinctive in having evolved from a preparatory school to a military institution and finally to a university. Widener s vision is inspired by a legacy of leadership, public service, and career preparation started by John Bullock, who established the Bullock School for Boys in Delaware in 1821 to prepare young men for entry to college. Over the next 47 years, the institution became first a military academy and eventually moved to its present location in Chester, Pennsylvania, in In 1892, the Academy applied for and received collegiate status, becoming the Pennsylvania Military College (PMC), modeled after the U.S. Army Military Academy at West Point.

2 In 1972, the PMC Corps of Cadets was disbanded, and PMC Colleges became Widener College, named after the prominent Widener family of Philadelphia. In 1979, to reflect its addition of graduate and professional programs, Widener College became Widener University. Today, after nearly 200 years of change and evolution, the University s core values stand as respectful legacy to its past in preparing young men and women to become citizens of character who can become effective leaders in a global society. New Strategic Plan. The university will complete this year a 10-year strategic plan under the leadership of President James T. Harris, III. Currently, new goals and objectives are being developed for the university s next strategic plan, Vision 2021, based on the university s Vision and Mission presented below. Therefore, the new Dean of the School of Nursing will have the opportunity to lead the school in the development of its own new strategic plan to complement that of the university. Vision. As a preeminent metropolitan university, Widener aspires to be a dynamic, inclusive academic community, transforming students into scholars, leaders and globally engaged citizens. Mission. The Widener University mission is achieved by creating a learning environment where curricula are connected to societal issues through civic engagement. The university: Leads by providing a unique combination of liberal arts and professional education in a challenging, scholarly, and culturally diverse academic community; Engages students through dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, and experiential learning; Inspires students to be citizens of character who demonstrate professional and civic leadership; and Contributes to the vitality and well-being of the communities served. THE SCHOOL OF NURSING Formerly the Crozer School of Nursing, Widener s School of Nursing opened in 1966 and marked the first time women were admitted to the university. As a leader in advanced practice education, Widener believes that nurses will transform the future of health care around the world and acknowledges that changes in the delivery of health care are placing greater demands on nurses. As these demands grow, nurses will take on greater responsibility in delivering care to patients. Nursing students today must acquire broader perspectives on both the art and science of nursing as well as further training as managers and coordinators. Widener s School of Nursing is meeting these challenges by preparing highly trained nurse leaders who are committed to enhancing care, increasing quality, and improving outcomes. 2

3 Degrees The School of Nursing offers bachelor s, master s, and doctoral degree programs to serve the needs of nurses at all stages of their careers: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree for preparation of new RNs RN-to-BSN or RN-to MSN for currently licensed RNs Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree for the highest level of advanced practice nursing Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree for preparation of nurse educators and scholars In addition, the School of Nursing offers the following post-master s certificates: Adult Gerontology CNS, Adult Health-Gerontology CNS with Emergency/Critical Care Specialty, FNP, and Master's-Prepared Nurse Practitioners. Many graduate program courses are available at the satellite Harrisburg campus, either on-site via, via videoconference, online, or in a hybrid format Accreditation The BSN, MSN, and DNP programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the BSN and MSN programs are approved by the State Board of Pennsylvania. In 2011, the CCNE approved the BSN and MSN program for 10 years and the DNP program for 5 years without recommendations. The School of Nursing also holds accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Accreditation. Program Highlights Center of Excellence: This year the School of Nursing was one of nine schools nationally to be designated a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing. Widener University achieved status as a Center of Excellence in creating environments that advance the science of nursing education. Excellent Teaching Facilities: In fall 2011, the School of Nursing moved into a new 35,000-square-foot, three-story academic building with brand new nursing education facilities. Founders Hall features state-of-the-art simulation labs with the capability to simulate a wide range of real life clinical experiences. Military Tradition: In the School of Nursing, the Dauntless Battalion of Widener University commissioned more nurses as officers in the US Army than any other college or university in the United States in two of the last five years. Widener University is proud of its military tradition and is an advocate for ARMY Nurses. Excellent NCLEX Pass Rate: The first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam for all test-takers between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012 was 94.74%, well above the required rate of 80% for the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. 3

4 Commitment to Civic Engagement: The Widener Community Nursing Clinic opened in the fall of 2011, to serve the population of Chester, a socio-economically disadvantaged community. Located at CityTeam International, the Widener Community Nursing clinic provides physical assessments, episodic medical care, and referrals to support groups, as well as essential education programs. Services are provided by Widener students and alumni nurse practitioners or registered nurses, all of whom volunteer their time.. Graduate Nursing Demonstration Project: The School of Nursing is a funded participant in one of five of the nation s Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services Graduate Nursing Demonstration projects. The primary goal of the demonstration is to increase the provision of qualified training to APRN students. The clinical training included in this demonstration will provide APRNs with the clinical skills necessary to provide primary care, preventive care, transitional care, chronic care management, and other services appropriate for Medicare beneficiaries ( HRSA Funded Doctor of Nursing Practice Program: The School of Nursing is funded under the Advanced Nursing Education Program for curricular enhancement of the Doctor of Nursing Practice national exemplar. Students Civic Engagement: The student experience at Widener goes beyond the classroom. In keeping with Widener s mission of civic engagement, students participate in a wide variety of community service projects, such as health fairs and bloods drives, as well as the Widener Community Nursing Clinic. Honors Program: For high-performing undergraduates, the Nursing Honors Program, available starting the junior year, prepares students for graduate study. Students at all levels of study, from baccalaureate to doctoral, who meet eligibility criteria are also invited to join Eta Beta, the Widener chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. Student Nurses Association: The Widener University Student Nurses Association (WUSNA) is run by the students and provides many opportunities for nursing students to become engaged in events with their chapter, community, and at the state level. Volunteering is a priority for WUSNA members. Students also attend the annual Student Nurses of Pennsylvania Conference and National Student Nurses Association conventions. Student Tradition: The School of Nursing recently started new traditions for sophomore and junior level students. Sophomores participated in a ceremony marking the first time they don their School of Nursing uniform to wear in the simulation labs. A ceremony for juniors highlights students entry into clinical courses and the respective clinical settings. Faculty Personal Attention to Students: The School of Nursing boasts a dedicated group of faculty members. Faculty members provide mentoring to an assigned cohort of 4

5 undergraduate students, following them from their freshman year through graduation. In clinical settings, faculty members provide close attention to students through an 8:1 student-faculty ratio. Research: The School of Nursing faculty is committed to advancing the science of nursing education. The faculty believe in creating an innovative environment for students to ensure they are meeting the demands of the industry. Faculty support this commitment to developing their research and pedagogy through actively participating in professional associations, obtaining grants, publishing and presenting. Service and Experiential Learning: Faculty coordinate a variety of required and elective service learning courses. For example: An honors seminar course on health policy lets students explore healthcare policy in a scholarly way. In the course, each student researches his or her own bill that is currently in the House or Senate. Students then must schedule appointments with their representative and senator to advocate for their own policy during their meetings on Capitol Hill. A clinical course immerses students in the community and gives them the opportunity to promote health literacy. There is a strong service learning component in this class, which gives students the opportunity to see how their work directly affects the population. LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE DEAN The School of Nursing is one of the older and more established academic units at Widener and has earned a distinguished reputation for the wide range of programs offered and the close and careful attention paid to students. This reputation and the resulting growth in enrollment and programs present the Dean with important opportunities for leadership. Common Purpose. The recent rapid growth in enrollment to 700 and the multiplicity of programs has created the need for a greater sense of common purpose to avoid internal competition for resources. The Dean can foster greater collaboration and shared momentum by finding ways to recognize the important contributions of all faculty and staff. School Organization. The new administrative structure of the School, consisting of a matrix of program directors reporting to the Dean, is distinctive, but there is a sense that its potential benefits have not yet been fully realized. There is an opportunity for the new Dean to bring administrative acumen to bear in gaining optimal advantage from this non-traditional, somewhat complex structure. Program Outreach and Development. Among the faculty and staff, there is enthusiasm for expanding the School s presence throughout Pennsylvania and in surrounding states, such as Delaware and New Jersey. Useful for such greater visibility for the School would be partnerships with other Widener schools, such as law and business, and with offices 5

6 such as public relations and web design. The new Dean also has the opportunity to lead by anticipating curriculum needs and developing an inspiring vision for new programs, supported by new technologies. Leadership in Gaining Resources. As a public advocate for the School in the outreach efforts above, and in the context of the new strategic plan, the Dean can also lead in establishing new resources for faculty and students. Certainly, fundraising for the School s growth and development is an expectation, and the Dean has the opportunity to play an important role in cultivating a culture of philanthropy among alumni and friends of the nursing programs, working closely with the Office of University Advancement in seeking increased financial support. Beyond fundraising, these efforts can also extend to seeking an expansion of clinical placements for students and, in turn, possible future employment sites. Faculty/Staff Leadership. The faculty and staff are eager to work closely with a new Dean who maintains an open-door policy and provides inspiring leadership and productive mentoring for all of the School s personnel. The Dean has the opportunity to leverage faculty and staff competencies in supporting a culture of initiative and scholarship, encouraging growth through a balance of guidance and freedom. The Dean also has the opportunity to lead in the diversification of the faculty and staff in the School. Success in these regards will require close teamwork and collaboration both within the School and with the other deans, as well as respect for equity among the University s eight schools in terms of recognition and support. Civic Engagement. The School s programs already provide an effective vehicle for engagement with the surrounding community, but the Dean can lead a coordinated approach to engagement with education at all levels in the surrounding community and metropolitan area and heighten the School s effectiveness by seeking greater public visibility for faculty and student work in education. Policy Development. Joining the Dean s Council as one of three new deans in 2014 will provide the Dean an opportunity to contribute to enhancing collaboration among the schools and development of more consistent University-wide policies in numerous areas, including promotion and tenure standards and advancement for non-tenure track faculty. Effective Communication. In all of the above, the opportunity exists for a new Dean with exceptional communication skills as a speaker and writer to inspire colleagues, raise the School s profile, and advance the University s reputation. An important aspect of this is maintaining transparent communication with all School constituencies faculty, staff, and students about decisions made and those under consideration, in an atmosphere of openness and trust. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES FOR THE DEAN The successful candidate for Dean of the School of Nursing will be an accomplished and creative leader, bringing a combination of professional capabilities and personal qualities 6

7 that will enable her or him to address the opportunities and the challenges that exist for the School and the University. In addition to such expected personal characteristics as honesty, integrity, exemplary moral and ethical character, and the energy and stamina for the rigors of the office, Widener considers important the following: Academic Credentials: an earned doctorate in a subfield pertinent to one or more of the School s programs. Also expected is a record of excellence as a teacher and scholar in a tenured faculty appointment. These credentials should be equivalent to those expected for appointment as a full professor at Widener. Experience and Accomplishments: successful administrative experience and resulting expertise in leadership and management of nursing programs at educational levels comparable to those offered in the School. It is desired that this experience will include the following: Mission: accomplishments consistent with Widener s vision and mission, such as civic engagement that connects the School to the local and global community; Reputation: demonstrated ability to raise the academic reputation of an institution, such as through pedagogical innovation, promotion of retention, new approaches to scholarship, and other features resulting from strategic planning; Nursing Education: familiarity and involvement with nursing education at the baccalaureate, master s, and doctoral levels; Accreditation and Assessment: leadership of accreditation efforts with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and experience with outcomes assessment expected in self-studies; Faculty Recruiting and Development: accomplishments in recruiting doctorallyprepared faculty, in assisting non-doctorally-prepared faculty to achieve their doctorates, in moving non-tenure-track faculty into tenure-track appointments, in developing and maintaining a collegial culture in a faculty that contains substantial numbers of both tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty, and in shaping promotion and tenure guidelines in support of the institution s mission; Faculty/Staff Relations: demonstrated record of recognizing the work of faculty and staff colleagues, supporting their efforts, and showing appreciation for their contributions; Delegation: ability to delegate responsibilities wisely, express expectations clearly, and hold faculty and staff colleagues accountable without micromanaging; Licensure Preparation: effectiveness in leading efforts to ensure acceptable performance of graduates on licensing examinations; Leadership in the Profession: major leadership involvement with one of the professional nursing associations; Program Integration: contributions to the integration of the liberal arts and sciences and professional education, and the integration of curricular and co-curricular programming; Innovation: accomplishments in developing and implementing innovative academic programs, as well as innovative use of technology and educational delivery systems, and in leading others in their implementation; 7

8 Fundraising: involvement in fundraising and demonstrated ability to attract financial support to advance teaching and scholarship in a university context; and Commitment to Diversity: demonstrated leadership in recruiting a diverse faculty and staff, and evident appreciation of the value of diversity in all of its manifestations in academic settings. Inspiring Leadership: the ability to motivate and inspire through passion, bold vision, a resourceful and entrepreneurial bent, and a commitment to collaboration and consensus. This includes the ability to listen carefully, to be adaptable, to be firm yet transparent and collegial, and to be a natural unifier and team-builder. Communication: a natural eloquence in speaking and writing, including the inclination to communicate frequently, clearly, and concisely with internal and external constituencies. Interpersonal Skills. The Dean should: be comfortable interacting with a wide range of people, permitting effective networking on behalf of the University; display a natural humility, allowing the spotlight to fall on others; possess a genuine sense of humor and appreciation for the perspective of others; enjoy engaging with students and celebrating their accomplishments; and retain a positive attitude in the face of tough situations and decisions. PROCEDURE FOR NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS Review of nominations and applications will begin immediately, and nominations and expressions of interest will be welcomed until an appointment is made. The appointee is expected to take office in July Applications received by November 15, 2013 will be assured of full consideration; these should include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, and names of five professional references with addresses and telephone numbers. Calls to references will occur only later in the search process and only with prior notification of candidates. All submissions will be treated in confidence and should be sent electronically (MS Word format preferred) to: The search committee is assisted by: WidenerNursingDean@academic-search.com Dr. R. Stanton Hales, Senior Consultant Academic Search, Inc. rsh@academic-search.com Widener University is an equal opportunity employer. 8