VCU School of Nursing

At the VCU School of Nursing, our hearts are full of gratitude. Last weekend, Dean Patricia Kinser expressed our sincere gratitude to Dr. William "Bill" Conway and his late wife Joanne. Dean Kinser helped support their nomination as honorary Fellows in the American Academy of Nursing - in acknowledgement of their philanthropic support of nursing schools throughout the country and commitment to the health of the nation. To Bill and the entire Bedford Falls Foundation team, we are grateful for your lasting support of our nursing students—and we will carry your legacy forward daily by continuing to champion their success.

We are so proud of our newest Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing - Lana J. Sargent! Dr. Sargent represents the best of clinical care and research centered on aging adults, using a community-engaged lens. Our VCU School of Nursing faculty enjoyed celebrating with you this past weekend! We also enjoyed seeing our newest alumna inductee-Marian Altman ... and visiting with previous faculty and key friends at the Academy celebrations- Amy Salisbury, CARLA NYE, Stephanie Bork, MSN, FNP-BC, APRN, Angela Starkweather, Kyungeh An, Debra Lyon, Lathika Mohanraj Ph.D., RN, BMTCN, PNAP, Ana Diallo, PhD, MPH, RN, Debbie Shockey, Wendy A. Henderson, Jessica Lee Sorensen, Dana Burns DNP, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, Marianne Baernholdt, Dr. Melissa Gomes, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNAP, FAAN, Patricia Kinser... and so many more!

Help us congratulate Lana Sargent, Ph.D., RN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC, who is about to receive one of the nursing field's most prestigious honors. Later this week, she'll be inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Dr. Sargent is a gifted researcher, educator, clinician and leader - a true asset to VCU and to the communities we serve. Her collaborative work focuses on improving cognitive health and bringing health care to those with limited access. https://lnkd.in/ewBgh4t7

Interested in making a REAL impact as an educator and a scholar? The VCU School of Nursing is growing - join our fabulous team and help inspire new generations of nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse innovators, and nurse scientists! 🌟 We are seeking: * Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Department Chair * Senior Researchers * Tenure-Track Researchers * Term/ Clinical Faculty To learn more and apply, visit https://lnkd.in/eZ4_ffnY Come help us meet and exceed our goals centered on student success, research excellence, community-engagement, and innovations!

At VCU School of Nursing, researchers are harnessing the emotional power of ultrasounds to help pregnant women with substance use disorders (SUD) connect more deeply with their babies—and with their own health. Led by Amy Salisbury, Ph.D., Patricia Kinser, Ph.D., and Dace Svikis, Ph.D., the study shows that seeing their baby on an ultrasound can be a turning point for expectant mothers. That emotional bond not only draws women into prenatal care—it motivates them to seek treatment and make life-saving changes. 💪👶 More than 80% of participants stayed in the study through delivery—a powerful sign that respectful, judgment-free care makes all the difference. Through strong partnerships with community organizations like Urban Baby Beginnings, Rams in Recovery, and the OB MOTIVATE clinic at VCU Health, this initiative is proving that research and compassion can work hand-in-hand to reduce maternal mortality and build healthier futures for mothers and babies alike. 🏥💬 This is more than a study—it’s a new model for care. 🔗 Learn more at the link. https://lnkd.in/g7iPEYsG

Another exciting appointment: 🎉 Starting today, Dana Burns, D.N.P., FNP-BC, BC-ADM, will act in a brand-new leadership role for the school, Director of Faculty Practice Initiatives 👏💼 An experienced clinician, educator, and researcher, Dr. Burns will lead the school’s efforts to strengthen academic-clinical partnerships 🤝, expand community-based care 🏥, and enhance student learning through real-world clinical experiences 📚💉 “Faculty practice is a power tool for our academic faculty to be actively engaged with our community and healthcare system by providing direct patient care in various clinical settings and promoting positive organizational change on a healthcare systems level,” said Burns. “The VCU School of Nursing promotes innovative and strategic educational models that build impactful real-life learning experiences for our students, and this is an integral key to our success in creating the next generation of nurses who will be successful in our complex healthcare system." This new position reflects VCU Nursing’s bold commitment to innovation, collaboration, and impact across education, practice, and research ⭐️💪🩺 https://lnkd.in/eiqhCwFg

⚡️Big news ⚡️The VCU School of Nursing proudly welcomes Lathika Mohanraj, Ph.D., RN, BMTCN, PNAP, as the new co-director of the Biobehavioral Research Lab 🔬🧪🩺 With expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, and nursing, she’s set to lead innovative, collaborative research in biomarker discovery and patient care 🧬✨ "As I step into the role of co-director, I am committed to advancing the accessibility of molecular and biomarker discovery for researchers both within and beyond VCU,” Mohanraj said. “I believe that science thrives through collaboration, and I look forward to building meaningful partnerships that drive innovation and discovery. I am passionate about creating a space where researchers, students and trainees feel empowered to explore, innovate and thrive in their scientific pursuits.” 💬 Read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/ewvF5mgt

👶💛 “I thought she was just having trouble sleeping… but it turned out to be something more.” Long COVID in kids is often hard to spot — and that’s exactly why researchers at VCU School of Nursing are leading efforts to uncover the hidden signs. Thanks to the work of Amy Salisbury, Ph.D., and Patricia Kinser, Ph.D., we now know that symptoms like persistent fussiness, low energy, poor appetite, and dry cough may be more than just passing phases in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers recovering from COVID-19. As part of the NIH-funded RECOVER initiative, these researchers are helping families and health care providers nationwide recognize age-specific symptoms of long COVID — a condition that’s often misunderstood or missed entirely in children under five. Because recognizing the signs early could make all the difference in a child’s health, development, and day-to-day happiness. 📲 Read more about this groundbreaking study at the link 👇 https://lnkd.in/e_3MZ9mR

As part of a final project in NURS 355: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing this spring, students created original works of art exploring the emotional, social, and clinical realities of mental health disorders. The result? A gallery of deeply moving pieces—like a painting of eyes in shifting colors to reflect changes in mood and perception, or a hollowed papier-mâché brain cataloguing anxious thoughts on laminated cards. 🎨 From pill bottles turned into flower vases 🌼 to ink sketches depicting overwhelm and hope 🖋️, each piece blends storytelling and heart, transforming classroom learning into powerful visual empathy. "This assignment fosters self-awareness, empathy, and critical thinking—skills essential for building therapeutic relationships and delivering holistic care," said Andrea Reed, D.N.P, M.S.N., RN, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, who led the course. “It also reinforces the integration of evidence-based practice with the art of nursing, reminding students that compassion, presence, and creativity are as vital as clinical expertise. Through their artistic expression and written reflections, students help make mental health a topic that is not only visible but also deeply felt.” 💬❤️ Read more at the link 👇 https://lnkd.in/eBSJvwPr