Nursing dean dives in

By Karen Cook

New dean of nursing Dr Michael Clinton is a man on a mission. Barely a month into his role, Clinton pulled together faculty as well as alumni and support staff to meet with the Calgary Health Region for a ground-breaking Visioning Day in August. It is the first time in the faculty’s 35-year history these stakeholders gathered to share goals and direction.

“ The purpose of our Visioning Day was to prepare for our Unit Review,” explains Clinton. Nursing is one of the first to undergo the Unit Review process, designed to fulfill part of the university’s Academic Plan. Its objective is to evaluate the quality of a unit’s academic programs and research and, says Clinton, it is necessary for the nursing community to participate. “What are our shared values and what do they tell us about are mutual priorities? When it comes to partnering with the Region, where do we want to lead and where are we prepared to follow?”

Jeanne Besner, Director, Research Initiatives in Nursing and Health and also President of the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses, said there are 26,000 registered nurse members in Alberta.

“ We all agree on what a nurse isn’t,” said Besner, “but we need to work together to develop a common language for what a nurse is.” Besner indicated the Region’s research team will work more closely with the faculty, establishing two joint appointments to move research forward.

Next week OnCampus offers a Q&A with new Dean of Nursing Michael Clinton.