VCU Nursing deans named NLN Academy of Nursing Education fellows
The VCU School of Nursing is pleased to announce that Jean Giddens, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, professor and dean, and Debra Barksdale, Ph.D., FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP, FAAN, professor and associate dean of academic affairs, will be inducted into the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education at the league’s annual summit in September. Giddens and Barksdale are among 15 nurse leaders nationwide selected this year, bringing the total to 249 fellows – leaders in nursing education who proudly bear the credential ANEF.
The NLN established the Academy of Nursing Education in 2007 to foster excellence in nursing education by recognizing and capitalizing on the wisdom of nurse educators who have made sustained and significant contributions to nursing education. Fellows support the NLN vision to promote standards of excellence in nursing education that will increase the number of graduates from all types of nursing programs. They serve as important role models and resources for new educators and for those who aspire to become nurse educators.
Said Beverly A. Malone, Ph.D., NLN CEO, “We rely on these accomplished individuals as allies in our efforts to prepare the numbers of excellent nurse educators we need. They deserve this public acknowledgment and the gratitude of all who are eager to elevate the status of our profession.”
As newly named fellows, Giddens and Barksdale have been lauded for their innovative teaching and/or learning strategies; nursing education research; faculty development; academic leadership; promotion of public policy that advances nursing education; and/or collaborative educational, practice or community partnerships.
A nationally known expert in concept-based curriculum development and evaluation, as well as innovative strategies for teaching and learning, Giddens has been actively engaged with the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action through her involvement with academic progression in nursing, and with state action coalitions in New Mexico and in Virginia. She is the author of multiple journal articles, nursing textbooks, and electronic media and serves as an education consultant to nursing programs throughout the country. Giddens is also an alumna of the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellows Program and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Wharton Executive Leadership Program.
A nationally known educator, researcher, practitioner and advocate for improving health care, Barksdale has demonstrated leadership in nursing education that is characterized by improving the quality of APRN education, developing competent/confident leaders and diversifying the workforce. The only nurse appointed to the Board of Governors for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), she is a former Department of Health and Human Services Primary Health Care Policy Fellow and is an alumna of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellows Program. Barksdale is also past president of the National Organization of Nurses Practitioner Faculties, where she led initiatives for enhancing nurse practitioner education in M.S.N. and DNP programs.
Dr. Jean Giddens
Dr. Debra Barksdale