SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY · SCHOOL OF NURSING
The Future of Nursing THE INAUGURAL ISSUE • SCHOOL OF NURSING NEWSLETTER
A DESIGNATED
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN NURSING EDUCATION BY THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR NURSING
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 02 Building on a Legacy 03 Academic Pathways 03 Immersive Simulation & World Class Leadership 04 Clinical Partnerships 05 Academic & Global Health 06 Interprofessional Education 07 Advancing the Vision 08 Looking to the Future 08 Make an Impact
WELCOME TO THE INAUGURAL ISSUE
BUILDING ON A LEGACY Welcome to the inaugural issue of the SCSU School of Nursing newsletter. For more than half a century, the heartbeat of the SCSU School of Nursing has been a relentless commitment to care preparing generations of compassionate, highly skilled nurses to serve communities across Connecticut and beyond. What began in 1969 as a respected program has grown into a cornerstone of healthcare education, built on academic excellence, equity, and service. Today, that foundation powers a dynamic vision for the future, fueled by cutting-edge simulation, innovative clinical partnerships, dedicated specialized tracks, and a global commitment to health equity. Marking a momentous milestone in our history, Southern Connecticut State University’s School of Nursing has officially been designated as a National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education for the 2026 term. This prestigious honor recognizes our sustained dedication to promoting pedagogical expertise, evidence-based teaching, and ongoing faculty scholarship. Complementing this achievement, SCSU’s earned status as a Carnegie R2 High Research Activity University further elevates the institution as a leading research-driven university. Together, the NLN Center of Excellence designation and R2 research classification highlight SCSU’s dual commitment to superior instructional standards and high-impact scholarship—ensuring our students learn from nationally recognized faculty scholars equipped to lead the future of healthcare.
THE SCSU DIFFERENCE
PROGRAMS OF STUDY
ACADEMIC PATHWAYS UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES B.S. Nursing: • Four Year Degree • Part-Time, Evenings & Weekends
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
• Accelerated BSN
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING • Family Nurse Practitioner • Nurse Educator • Nursing Leadership
POST-MASTER’S CERTIFICATES • Family Nurse Practitioner • Nurse Educator
DOCTORAL PROGRAM • Global Ed.D. in Nurse Education
IMMERSIVE SIMULATION & WORLD-CLASS LEADERSHIP In today’s fast-paced, complex healthcare environment, nurses must be prepared to think critically, communicate effectively, and deliver safe, evidence-based care from day one. At the SCSU School of Nursing, experiential learning is central to achieving that goal. Inside our modern Health and Human Services Building, students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs learn in four dedicated nursing skills laboratories, a high-fidelity simulation center, standardized patient examination rooms, and a simulated home-care apartment. Crucial to the success of this learning environment is the expertise of our Simulation Coordinators, Regina Kulacz, EdD, MSN, RN, CHSE and Amanda Lamberti, EdD, MSN, CHSE. Their advanced credentialing as Certified Healthcare Simulation Educators (CHSE) reflects a deep commitment to the best national practices in simulation design, facilitation, and debriefing. Under their leadership, clinical scenarios are intentionally scaffolded across the curriculum to support learners at every stage of their development.
THE FUTURE OF NURSING • SCSU SCHOOL OF NURSING | 03
BEYOND CAMPUS WALLS
LEARNING THROUGH CLINICAL PARTNERSHIPS & SPECIALIZED PRACTICE The strength of the SCSU School of Nursing extends far beyond campus walls. Through a network of more than 150 clinical partners and the guidance of approximately 90 clinical instructors, students gain access to diverse healthcare settings throughout Connecticut. To bridge critical practice gaps and address regional healthcare needs, SCSU offers targeted specialty electives in high-demand practice areas such as Perioperative Care and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Students deepen this specialized focus through innovative Dedicated Education Units (DEUs) collaborative learning environments embedded within partner hospitals where students learn alongside expert preceptors. As students reach the culmination of their studies, they utilize their capstone course to immerse themselves in these specialized tracks, applying classroom theory directly to complex clinical settings and graduating practice-ready on day one.
04 | THE FUTURE OF NURSING • SCSU SCHOOL OF NURSING
150+ Clinical Partners Across Connecticut
˜ 90
Clinical Instructors Guiding Students
SPECIALIZED PRACTICE: Perioperative Care Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) Dedicated Education Units Capstone Immersion
HEALTH EQUITY: LOCAL & GLOBAL
BRIDGING ACADEMIC & GLOBAL HEALTH True excellence in nursing practice requires an understanding of health equity that spans both local neighborhoods and global borders. At SCSU, public health faculty lead dedicated efforts to address the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) right in our backyard. Through active engagement with local community centers in towns across New Haven County, faculty and students work directly with marginalized communities to dismantle systemic health disparities and expand access to wellness resources. This commitment to equitable care extends across the globe through transformative international immersions. Through impactful service-learning trips to Peru and Jamaica, as well as rich educational trips to Chile and China, faculty and students collaborate with international healthcare partners, explore diverse public health delivery systems, and cultivate the cross-cultural leadership skills needed to advance well-being across borders.
66
% Our students and faculty align with the diverse communities we serve
SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS
PERU
EDUCATIONAL TRIPS
LIVERPOOL CHINA
CROSS-DISCIPLINARY LEARNING
LEARNING TOGETHER, INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION IN PRACTICE At Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), nursing faculty actively drive Interprofessional Education (IPE) by integrating collaborative, cross-disciplinary learning into the nursing curriculum. Operating under the College of Health and Human Services’ initiative and guided by national IPEC Core Competencies, nursing educators work alongside faculty in public health, social work, speech-language pathology, and behavioral health.
Through joint simulation scenarios, case-based learning, and community service projects, nursing faculty engage students in shared clinical decision-making, effective team communication, and whole-person care. This collaborative approach ensures SCSU nursing graduates enter the healthcare workforce fully equipped to break down clinical silos and partner across disciplines to improve patient outcomes.
06 | THE FUTURE OF NURSING • SCSU SCHOOL OF NURSING
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
ADVANCING THE VISION FOR HEALTHCARE EDUCATION Southern Connecticut State University’s School of Nursing has officially been designated as a National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education for the 2026 term. This prestigious honor recognizes the department’s sustained dedication to promoting the pedagogical expertise, evidence-based teaching, and ongoing scholarship of its faculty. Complementing this milestone, SCSU’s earned status as a Carnegie R2 High Research Activity University further elevates the institution as a leading research-driven university. Together, the NLN Center of Excellence designation and R2 research classification highlight SCSU’s dual commitment to superior instructional standards and high-impact scholarship ensuring that nursing students learn from nationally recognized faculty scholars equipped to lead the future of healthcare.
NLN RECOGNITION: Promoting the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty PEDAGOGICAL INNOVATION Elevating evidence-based teaching strategies, simulation techniques, and curriculum design
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT & MENTORSHIP Cultivating an environment where nurse educators thrive as scholars, leaders, and master teachers.
SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE
PROPELLING HEALTHCARE EDUCATION FORWARD Through the strategic generosity of the Davis Educational Foundation, Anthem, and private donors, the School of Nursing is propelling healthcare education forward. This funding enriches our immersive learning environment, elevating virtual simulation and expanding hands-on clinical training opportunities. Coupled with top-tier facilities, specialized tracks, and certified simulation experts, SCSU continues to empower graduates to step seamlessly into the workforce as confident leaders in modern healthcare.
STUDENT SUCCESS Ensuring our students receive a world-class, rigorous education that translates directly to clinical excellence and equitable patient care.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE, EQUITY, AND CARE As we look toward the future, the SCSU School of Nursing remains steadfast in its mission to redefine healthcare education through innovation, scholarship, and compassionate service. By uniting nationally recognized faculty leadership, cutting-edge simulation technologies, rich interprofessional collaborations, and deeply rooted community partnerships both across New Haven County and around the globe we ensure our students are not merely entering the workforce, but actively transforming it.
THEN SCSU nursing students in the program’s early years.
Grounded in our proud history and energized by our NLN Center of Excellence and R2 research designations, we invite our alumni, clinical partners, and university community to join us in celebrating this extraordinary new chapter. We look forward to sharing more inspiring stories about our outstanding faculty, dedicated students, and innovative programs in upcoming issues as we continue building a legacy of excellence, equity, and care for generations to come.
DISCOVER HOW YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT Join the next generation of nurses dedicated to transforming healthcare, strengthening communities, and creating healthier futures.
LEARN MORE (203) 392-7235 kima8@SouthernCT.edu SouthernCT.edu
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