Minnesota Nursing Magazine (PDF) - School of Nursing - University ...

Dear alumni, friends, partners, faculty,
staff, and students,
Welcome to the 2012 Fall issue of Minnesota Nursing magazine.
Learning, discovery, and engagement for the common good – these pillars of the University of
Minnesota, a land-grant University, guide this School of Nursing in its passion to prepare for, versus
be surprised by, the future. Preparation for the future demands engaging in the “unthinkable” with
the top world scientists and local to global citizens. We think about the “unthinkable” – consider
the Internet in your contact lenses; no computers, cell phones, clocks, watches; driver-less cars with
cushions of magnetism; growing organs as they wear out; molecular “smart bombs” circulating
to kill cancer cells; toilets and bathroom mirrors containing sensors to detect cancer; clothes with
sensors; more robot assistants like Health Buddy; nanotechnologies that enable pill cams; smart
homes and smart dinner plates; tourism into outer space; technologies supporting integrative
health [LIFE in the year 2100. THE WEEK, April 8 2011, 11, # 509; Physics of the Future by Michio
Kaku]. We consider the “unthinkable” – those disenfranchised from access to information and
communication technologies or those who lack the knowledge to engage.
from the dean
Preparation for the future also demands that we consider the importance of emerging careers like
astro teachers, doctors, nurses; avatar relationship managers; personal care coordinators; digital
identity managers; environmental health nurses (maybe not so new). [Robotician Emerging
Careers – 2030, The Futurist, Jan-Feb 2011]. These concepts and, in some cases, existing prototypes
can indeed stretch our minds and hearts. Contrast these innovations with a short 100 years ago
when life expectancy was 40 and we had no internet, airplanes, TV, and computers.
The faculty and staff in the School of Nursing merge consideration of these predictions with our
commitment to boldly addressing the Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing recommendations –
placing nursing, care coordination, and leadership central to the safety, access and outcomes of care.
The School of Nursing continues the momentum established at conception 103 years ago – titrating
the dosages of the ideal with the pragmatic in our journey “to generate knowledge and prepare
nurse leaders who create, lead, and participate in holistic efforts to improve the health of all people
within the context of their environments” (School of Nursing mission, 2010).
We invite you to a “tasting - sampler” of the integrative innovation of our faculty, staff, students,
and community partners. Explore global health nursing education & research with L. Halcon,
C. Garcia and L. Olson-Keller; anxiety and mechanical ventilation support with L. Chlan; and
telehealth child health care coordination with W. Looman. Engage with us in celebrating sustained
innovation and program leadership milestones: Midwifery Program - 40 years; PhD program – 30
years; and the Center for Adolescent Nursing and the Center for Children with Special Health Care
Needs – both 20 years old. Celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the Jewelry Sale for Scholarships
– a remarkable School of Nursing alumni and friends testimony of dedication, creativity, and
commitment to our students. And a sneak preview of the state-of-the-science and art– the Healthy
Communities Innovation Center supporting cutting edge nursing and interprofessional education
and clinical simulations.
Catch your breath and glide with us as we welcome the opportunities to co-create.
It is an honor to serve as your 10 th dean of this remarkable community – the School of Nursing, in
partnership with our University, health systems, state, and beyond.
With gratitude,
Connie W. Delaney
Professor and Dean
2 minnesota nursing | nursing.umn.edu/magazine