WESTERN REGIONAL SCHOOL OF NURSING Strategic Plan 2012 2018 Building on our Success & Transitioning to Leadership in Rural and Remote Nursing Strategic Plan 2012-2018 Page 1
Introduction Through the decades, Western Regional School of Nursing (WRSON) has strived for excellence in nursing education. This is evidenced by the graduation of nurses who excel in professional practice and become recognized leaders in nursing education, research, practice and administration. The geographical position of WRSON provides access to rural and remote communities. Therefore, the unique contribution to nursing education in the province is the focus on rural and remote nursing. The Executive Committee of WRSON directed the effort for a six year plan to cover the period of 2012-2018. In May 2012, faculty engaged in a two day strategic planning session. The mission, vision and values were tailored to lay the foundation for the School s future goals. The original draft had nine goals and it became clear that a consensus on the priority strategic goals was required. The School adopted four goals to collectively guide its strategic directions. These goals include: 1. Enhance programming and curriculum to prepare professional nurses to lead and influence healthcare and the nursing profession. 2. Facilitate excellence in research/scholarship. 3. Ensure technologies meet priority needs in teaching, research/scholarship, and clinical practice including rural and remote settings. 4. Consolidate nursing education human resources (faculty and staff), administration and infrastructure within Grenfell Campus Memorial University. Under the direction of the Executive Committee, working groups were established to develop specific objectives and actions to support the achievement of the four broad goals. The Executive Committee provides direction for the implementation of the action plans for the specific objectives, including revisions as necessary. The committee is accountable for the monitoring of the progress of the plan. The first monitoring was completed in May 2014. The fusion of programming and curriculum, research and scholarship, the impact of technology and consolidation is reshaping nursing education. The strategic plan is solid and will shape the emerging direction for the future of Western Regional School of Nursing. Strategic Plan 2012-2018 Page 2
Our Vision, Mission, and Values Vision The vision of Western Regional School of Nursing is to contribute to the optimal health and well-being of individuals and populations through excellence in nursing education, research, and practice. Mission The mission of Western Regional School of Nursing is to contribute to and promote the health and wellbeing of the public by: Graduating safe, ethical and competent nurses committed to the advancement of nursing knowledge and its best practices; Conducting leading-edge scholarship/research, particularly in rural and remote communities; and, Working in collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders. Values The values of Western Regional School of Nursing are: Student Focused Learning Students are placed at the center of learning by engaging them as active participants in their own learning with the teacher as facilitator. Respect An environment that supports respectful interactions is promoted. Each person shows courtesy, appreciation, and consideration for others. Diversity A culture of diversity and inclusiveness is fostered through the recognition/celebration of the enrichment that comes from the interactions of people of various backgrounds and cultures. Creativity and Innovation Programming and curriculum are enhanced through a culture of creativity and innovation. Collaboration Working together with various stakeholders is fundamental to achieve shared goals. Professionalism Adherence to behaviors, qualities, values, and attitudes that demonstrate accountability, knowledge, visibility, and ethical practice. Strategic Plan 2012-2018 Page 3
Goal 1: Enhance programming and curriculum to prepare professional nurses to lead and influence healthcare and the nursing profession. The profession of Nursing is experiencing transition and this impacts nursing education. The curriculum must be relevant in order to prepare nurse leaders with the knowledge and skills required for the current and future health care system. The focus is to ensure that accredited programming and curriculum meet the challenging health care needs of the population served. Goal 1: Enhance programming and curriculum to prepare professional nurses to lead and influence healthcare and the nursing profession. 1. Ensure the provision of quality educational experiences to meet required objectives of the program. 1. Explore, implement and evaluate innovative models to deliver quality educational experiences. 2. Enhance rural placement offerings for clinical courses across the curriculum. 3. Monitor the impact of health care restructuring and transformation on clinical placement offerings. 4. Explore and address fiscal impacts of increasing patient acuity on the curriculum with regard to student/faculty ratios in clinical. 5. Obtain funding for faculty to travel and deliver courses in rural and remote sites. 2. Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships and community engagement. 1. Enhance participation in community initiatives. 2. Build connections and networks with other key stakeholders that impact the program. 3. Increase awareness of the School s mandate to community partners. 4. Increase opportunities for faculty and student engagement in nontraditional settings. 5. Enhance student activities to contribute to a rich university experience. 6. Increase relationships with the Aboriginal community and other vulnerable populations. Strategic Plan 2012-2018 Page 4
Goal 2: Facilitate excellence in research/scholarship. Our aim is to attract recognized scholars, partner/network nationally and internationally, attract funding, undertake new projects, and attract quality students and faculty to advance the scholarship agenda. In keeping with the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, Boyer s Model of Scholarship is used. This framework for scholarship includes scholarship of discovery, integration, application and teaching. Discovery builds new knowledge through traditional research; integration interprets the use of knowledge across disciplines; application aids society and professions in addressing problems; and teaching models and practices to achieve optimal learning. Goal 2: Facilitate excellence in research/scholarship. 1. To increase research / scholarship activity. 1. Establish a peer review committee. 2. Conduct annual needs assessment with regards to required resources and professional development requirements of faculty. 3. Develop and implement education sessions on pertinent topics determined from the needs assessment. 4. Identify current research/scholarship activity and interest. 5. Share faculty research/scholarship activities at the end of each academic year. 6. Strengthen research/scholarship collaboration with nursing and other disciplines. 7. Ensure faculty members have a non-teaching semester to engage in research/scholarship. 8. Develop a communication system to increase awareness of research/scholarship opportunities including the dissemination of results. 9. Increase the number of research based publications. 10. Disseminate research findings. 2. To broaden the school s research/ scholarship agenda to include a Rural and Remote focus. 3. To increase the number of PhD prepared faculty. 1. Define Rural and Remote. 2. Build expertise within faculty in Rural and Remote health through professional development activities. 3. Promote opportunities for faculty to engage in Rural and Remote research/scholarship. 4. Identify and collaborate with Rural and Remote partners. 1. Lobby for tuition funds for faculty to pursue PhD studies. 2. Work with Human Resources to develop a Recruitment Plan to attract PhD prepared faculty. 3. Lobby for course remissions for faculty engaged in PhD studies. Strategic Plan 2012-2018 Page 5
4. Increase grant submissions and secure grant funding for the School of Nursing. 1. Explore funding opportunities that may be available to WRSON faculty and educate all faculty regarding same. 2. Participate in grant funding learning opportunities. 3. Recruit faculty with established research program. 4. Collaborate on inter-disciplinary grants. Strategic Plan 2012-2018 Page 6
Goal 3: Ensure technologies meet priority needs in teaching, research/scholarship, and clinical practice including rural and remote settings. Technology brings innovation to programming and the curriculum. Bridging the gap between theory and practice can be best met by the use of innovative technology and teaching methodologies including the use of simulation. Technology has the potential to enhance clinical practice learning and research/scholarship opportunities. The teaching and learning environment embraces technology for the current realities and is invested in moving the School forward to become a leader in the use of emerging technologies for nursing education. Goal 3: Ensure technologies meet priority needs in teaching, research/scholarship, and clinical practice including rural and remote settings. 1. Avail of opportunities for faculty and staff professional development in evolving technologies. 1. Identify educational opportunities to advance technology. 2. Promote faculty and staff attendance at educational sessions related to technological advances. 3. Identify technology champions for E-Portfolios, Simulation, etc. 4. Liaise with key stakeholders for the expansion of innovative education delivery models including the expansion of existing simulation laboratory facilities. 2. Integrate med-hifidelity simulation in curriculum content where appropriate. 3. Disseminate WRSON s technological excellence in nursing education. 1. Explore opportunities to include simulation experiences in course delivery. 2. Implement a 5 year simulation plan. 1. Present to key stakeholders and at conferences. 2. Promote simulation success in research and grey literature, webpage and through social media. Strategic Plan 2012-2018 Page 7
Goal 4: Consolidate nursing education, human resources (faculty and staff), administration and infrastructure within Grenfell Campus Memorial University. WRSON is to be consolidated within Grenfell Campus, Memorial University to help better serve the needs of nursing education. Consolidation will facilitate attracting, recruiting and retaining qualified faculty, staff and students. Consolidation will enhance opportunities for research, teaching and learning, and community engagement as outlined in Memorial s guiding frameworks. Goal 4: Consolidate nursing, education human resources (faculty and staff), administration and infrastructure within Grenfell Campus Memorial University. 1. Ensure the successful integration of WRSON into Grenfell Campus. 1. Develop and submit a proposal for the academic committee structure of WRSON within Grenfell Campus. 2. Develop a Constitution and By-laws document for the Grenfell Campus School of Nursing (GCSON). 3. Develop and submit Memorandum(s) of Understanding (MOUs) on administrative issues that need to be addressed to include but not to be limited to: Budget Human Resources Clinical Placements IT Support Access to Western Health Services (security, residence, maintenance, laundry, IT, supplies, health services for faculty and staff, etc.) Laboratory Issues (supplies, biomed, services, etc.) Equipment (pumps, monitors, etc.) Library Resources HSPnet Scholarships (MUN & Western Health) 4. Facilitate meetings between administrative personnel of Western Health, Grenfell Campus and WRSON to discuss identified needs in the MOU(s). 5. Ensure the signing of the MOU(s) as required. 6. Transfer faculty and staff positions from WRSON to Grenfell Campus. 7. Ensure information technology (IT) and audio visual (AV) supports are in place to provide quality programming. 8. Establish joint appointments for temporary faculty between Western Health and Grenfell Campus. 9. Ensure agreements are in place for the continuation of the provision of clinical placements by Western Health. 10. Continue faculty representation on appropriate Western Health committees post-consolidation. 11. Develop Clinical Affiliation Agreements as required for clinical experiences. 12. Identify persons/departments responsible for Clinical Affiliation Agreements at Grenfell Campus. 13. Ensure the signing of Clinical Affiliation Agreements as required. Strategic Plan 2012-2018 Page 8
Goal 4: Consolidate nursing, education human resources (faculty and staff), administration and infrastructure within Grenfell Campus Memorial University. 2. Ensure effective communication to key stakeholders of the 1. Develop a Communication Plan. 2. Identify key stakeholders to be informed of consolidation through the Communication Plan. consolidation process. ARNNL RNUNL Students Western Health Grenfell Campus Memorial University MUN School of Nursing College of the North Atlantic Community Partners 3. Implement and evaluate the Communication Plan. 3. Establish effective working relationships with key stakeholders. 4. Develop a succession plan for the recruitment and retention of a qualified nursing faculty. 5. WRSON will continue to ensure quality programming during 1. Determine the working relationship between MUNSON and GCSON. 2. Determine the working relationship between MUNSON Dean and GCSON Director. 3. Determine the working relationship between the MUNSON Associate Dean and GCSON Associate Director. 4. Determine the role of the GCSON Clinical Placement Coordinator including the use of HSPnet. 5. Determine the role of joint committees: Joint Admissions Joint Program Evaluation Joint Curriculum Joint Accreditation Joint Recruitment Joint Research 6. Determine the role of the Consortium Office. 7. Ensure GCSON students can avail of all Memorial University nursing scholarships. 8. Ensure all Western Health scholarships and bursaries are transferred to Grenfell Campus post consolidation. 9. Determine the working relationship between GCSON and Western Health. 1. Meet with Succession Planner(s) for advice. 2. Survey faculty regarding potential retirement dates. 3. Assess and plan for future teaching requirements. 4. Promote PhD studies. 5. Review and update the School s Human Resource Plan for the inclusion of Succession Planning. 1. Monitor budget to ensure there is appropriate funding for quality program delivery. 2. Ensure the availability of facilities and resources for the delivery Strategic Plan 2012-2018 Page 9
Goal 4: Consolidate nursing, education human resources (faculty and staff), administration and infrastructure within Grenfell Campus Memorial University. negotiations for and of the nursing program during the period of time between following consolidation consolidation and the provision of a physical Nursing space at of nursing education. Grenfell. 3. Maintain faculty and student access to Western Health s Education programs (OH&S, Hand Hygiene, WHMIS, etc.) 4. Maintain course weightings as appropriate for program delivery. 5. Continue all required program evaluation activities. J:\Administration\Strategic Planning\Strategic Plan 2012-2018\Strategic Planning 2014-2015\Strategic Plan copy for webpage 2015-2016.docx Strategic Plan 2012-2018 Page 10