Bruin Brief 2023-05-19 -- Academic Programs & Leadership Update

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The post-BS-to-DNP program has been reviewed by the UCLA Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction, the Committee on Budget and Planning, the Graduate Council, and finally—just this Friday--the Legislative Assembly. Each level reviewed the proposal, sometimes directing changes or setting requirements for approval. At the Legislative Assembly presentation on May 18^th, we had only one comment from a senator. “Excellent proposal,” said a colleague from Dentistry, “Does the School of Nursing still affirm a commitment to interprofessional education?”  I avowed that we do indeed.  In fact, Dr. Kristen Choi is our Essentials Domain Champion for interprofessional education, and will help us maintain and strengthen this domain.  Dr. Laurie Love and others with advanced practice pediatric expertise continue to collaborate with dental school colleagues to accomplish pediatric oral health initiatives. And Dr. Natasha Wheaton, DGSOM interdisciplinary education leader, reached out to each of our academic program directors to inquire about future opportunities for educating students together.  After that discussion, the proposal for the SON post-BS-to-DNP proposal was sent for vote. We will hear soon about the outcome from the Legislative Assembly.

Here’s what will happen next.

The last class of 60 MSN-APRN students have been admitted.  The DNP program will continue, and we expect 15-17 students to join us this fall.  With post-BS-to-DNP program approval in hand, we will immediately start recruiting students to apply for admission to the program when it opens in 2024. In three years’ time, the final MSN-APRN admits of 2023 will be graduated, the program will be closed. New students seeking APRN certification will be working toward the DNP degree.

Prelicensure and MSN-APRN program leadership changes effective July 1, 2023

In the Prelicensure Program, Anita Bralock, PhD, RN, CNM, will return to the faculty after serving for five years as the Program Director.  Her dedicated leadership fostered strong relationships with clinical partners, a cohesive team of dedicated faculty, and student engagement. During the pandemic, Dr. Bralock worked tirelessly to maintain the quality of student learning experiences while supporting flexibility. She also participated in diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership within the School and demonstrated unwavering commitment to DEI principles in the prelicensure program.  Dr. Bralock held in her working memory the sequence of BS and MECN clinical and theory course sequences. It was always dazzling when she would recite the changes necessitated by the pandemic, and the recovery in our educational patterns by course, by year, and by program. She assured that the program survived challenges times, and made the program better by leading students and faculty with alacrity and purpose.

Currently appointed as Assistant Prelicensure Program Director, Emma Cuenca, DNP, RN, CCRN, CSC, CNS, will assume the role of Program Director on July 1. Since January, Dr. Cuenca has worked side-by-side with Dr. Bralock as the program co-director, expanded her working knowledge of all things pre-licensure in preparation for this new leadership opportunity. Dr. Cuenca brings to the role experience in leadership and evidence-based practice in clinical settings. She applies clinical leadership acumen to classroom teaching, enlivening courses with exemplars from practice. As an ardent proponent of teaching excellence in the prelicensure program, she leads by example. She is a graduate of the PAROSL program offered by the Center on the Advancement of Teaching at UCLA. Dr. Cuenca advocates for just culture in nursing, and approaches students’ and colleagues’ concerns using principles of shared accountability, fairness, and safety. She is well-prepared to lead the Prelicensure Program through the Essentials transformation and expansion of clinical-academic partnerships across four spheres of care.

In the MSN-APRN Program, John Lazar, PhD, FNP-BC, CHEP, will retire at the end of June and conclude his leadership as Program Director. In a tribute written February 24^th, Dean Zhan noted that John “has taught in various roles and across nearly all our programs, educating thousands of students along the way and earning a 2017 UCLA Health DAISY Award for teaching. In 2021, John became Program Director of the APRN program and has worked tirelessly to improve the experience of our advanced practice students. A practicing Family Nurse Practitioner since 2006, his clinical and research interests include prehypertension, spirituality, and health care outcomes.” His wit, equanimity, and consistency as a leader will be missed.

Theresa Brown, DNP, ACNP-BC, AACC, FAANP, currently the Assistant Director of the DNP Program, will assume a dual leadership role when she becomes the Transitional Director of the MSN-APRN Program on July 1st. Straddling leadership roles in the MSN-APRN and DNP program, Dr. Brown will be positioned to successfully administer a conversion of the MSN–APRN Program to a DNP program.  Dr. Brown’s credibility as an advanced practice nurse is underscored by years of clinical practice in interventional cardiology. She is actively involved in nurse practitioner professional organizations and policy efforts. As a faculty member with teaching responsibilities in both APRN and DNP programs, she is a valued colleague and leader poised to take the reins at a crucial time in graduate nursing education.

 Congratulations, Dr. Cuenca and Dr. Brown. And best wishes to Dr. Bralock and Dr. Lazar.

--
Lauren Clark
Professor and Shapiro Family Endowed Chair in Developmental Disability Studies

Associate Dean, Academic Programs
Office: (310) 267-5923

Mobile: (801) 503-4755
nursing.ucla.edu