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A Message from the DeanCatherine Lynch Gilliss,Dean and ProfessorNursing is the most optimistic of sciences. All that we do isbased on the assumption that human caring makes a differencein the health of individuals and societies. This inherentidealism is, of course, married to a deep pragmatism,because the things we do impact so strongly on the comfortand well-being of our patients. The impact that nursingmakes on the health of individuals and societies is great. Thepotential that nursing has to improve health care is evengreater. That is why we have always believed at Yale thatnursing must seek students of uncommon ability and commitmentand give them an education that will help themmake the most of the gifts they already possess.That education draws upon a faculty renowned for theirclinical skill and scholarship, a large and varied selection ofcarefully guided practice experiences, and the resources of Yale University, one of theworld’s leading research institutions. Yale Nurses graduate ready to make a difference inhealth care. And they do just that. Some do it through research that shows us how toimprove practice. Some do it by shaping policy to better serve the public health. Somedo it by delivering highly skilled and compassionate care, one patient at a time. Manyblend those roles, finding that each enriches the other.Health care may face more challenges today than at any other time in history—challengesthat range from finite resources to the increasingly sedentary life-style that ourtechnology has spawned. Among all the health professions, nursing is in the best positionto shape the dialogue about these challenges and to implement solutions. The YaleSchool of Nursing has always defined its mission as “better health for all people.” Icannot tell you at this writing all that will need to be done in this young century to fulfillthat mission. But I can tell you that the best people to do it will be Yale Nurses.