F ROM THE DEAN
Introducing Marquette Nurse Moving the profession forward with a sense of mission
Ben Smidt
As we complete the 75th anniversary year of the Marquette University College of Nursing, it is a fitting time to begin a new tradition. Welcome to the first edition of Marquette Nurse. This annual publication brings to you the accomplishments our students, faculty, administrators and alumni are making in academic innovation, research, scholarship and community service. Each of these is an essential component of the mission of the college, which is to prepare nurse leaders to promote health, healing and social justice for all people through clinical practice and development of nursing knowledge. Earlier this year I was touched by how uniquely the College of Nursing carries out this mission when I visited the Marquette Neighborhood Health Center and asked a patient how she was. She said, “I’m fine because I am here.” I looked at her quizzically, and she clearly knew I was puzzled. She said, “Because they care about me here.” Marquette nurses and students take care of our world’s most vulnerable individuals, whether it is in our clinic, in community agencies or in our partner hospitals. As I prepared for May 2011 Commencement and read through the accomplishments of each of our graduates, I was reminded again of how our students, like all Marquette nurses, provide so much volunteer service throughout this community and around the world. These values are what have guided the college throughout its 75-year history. During that time, the college and Marquette nurses around the world have made significant contributions to the profession and to health care. A Marquette nurse must be uniquely skilled not only to meet the needs of today’s increasingly complex health care industry, but to carry forth the very essence of what it is to be a graduate of this college. As we look toward the future, the next generation of Marquette nurses will be even more prepared than in the past. As we implement a new nursing curriculum in fall 2012, we will focus on key areas of patient safety, quality improvement and care across the entire health care continuum. We will share with you in future issues of Marquette Nurse the exciting, innovative approach our faculty is taking to lead dramatic changes in nursing education. Everywhere we turn, we see Marquette nurses making a difference in the lives of others. Countless numbers of health care system leaders, nursing faculty and staff nurses go to work every day to solve the critical issues that face society. I hope you enjoy Marquette Nurse and better understand the contributions that are being made locally, nationally and globally by our faculty, students and alumni. Marquette blessings! Margaret Faut Callahan, C.R.N.A., Ph.D., F.N.A.P., F.A.A.N. Dean and Professor Marquette University College of Nursing
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MARQUETT E UNIV ERSITY