A Message from the Executive Director of Nursing
Dr. Chelsia Harris |
Dear Esteemed Alumni,
As I reflect on the journey of our beloved School of Nursing, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for each of you—our incredible alumni. Your dedication, perseverance, and compassionate hearts continue to inspire us every day. It is a blessing to see you making a profound difference in the lives of your patients, communities, and the nursing profession as a whole.
You exemplify our mission in remarkable ways. Many of you have been honored with the DAISY Award for extraordinary patient care. Others are earning advanced degrees, leading healthcare organizations, shaping policy, and serving on medical missions. No matter where your journey has taken you, you are a testament to the strength of our nursing legacy.
At your alma mater, we continue to innovate and expand opportunities to prepare future generations of nurses. This past fall, we successfully launched our Accelerated BSN program, offering a streamlined path for individuals to enter the profession and meet the growing workforce demands. Additionally, our new Emerging and Advancing Nurse Leader Credential programs will equip nurses at all career stages with the leadership skills necessary to drive meaningful change. We have also been awarded two new grants—one supporting innovative academic-clinical partnerships and the other dedicated to rural nursing workforce development. These advancements are a testament to our commitment to shaping the future of nursing.
Our students continue to uphold a tradition of excellence, with a five-year NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate average of 94% and an incredible 100% pass rate for the May 2023 class! These achievements are a testament not only to their hard work but also to the foundation laid by those who came before them—you, our alumni.
Someone once told me that “The sign of a good leader is someone who is not afraid that those whom they lead will someday surpass them.” Nothing brings me more joy than seeing so many of you surpassing me! Your leadership, passion, and pursuit of excellence are shaping the future of healthcare in ways beyond what we could have imagined.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication to the calling of nursing. We are honored to have you as part of our legacy, and we look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Many Blessings,
Chelsia Harris, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
Executive Director of Nursing
Lipscomb University School of Nursing