STRATEGIC PLAN 2023-2026: Becoming What We Are Not Yet
The M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Strategic Plan is a living document. Below are strategic goals and aspirations, along with sample achievements in those realms. The status of the plan will be updated periodically.
Strategic Statement
Over the next three years, we will become an even more dynamic and pioneering College of Nursing. We will proactively advance our mission, remaining grounded in our commitment to faith, equity, social justice health care and well-being. The Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN) community will drive health care change. We will rapidly evolve to meet novel challenges, and we will shape agile leaders with a global perspective who positively transform nursing and health care. Our culture will reflect the imagination of our community, where every individual is enriched with knowledge and experiences that enable innovation. Students will move forward with a deeply ingrained sense of self, and self-as-a-nurse. They will move into the world with a determination to explore. These will be inspiring years, fueled by vigor and compassion. Working together, we will shape an even brighter future as a brave and brilliant voice of nursing.
To achieve our aspirations, we will harness the strength of who we are already – a College of Nursing rooted in Catholic Augustinian values, exemplified by truth, unity and love. This distinctive foundation has been built by our outstanding FCN community. We have been consistently named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education since 2004 by the National League for Nursing. This strong foundation is also reflected in our reputation among highly recognized employers for educating superior nurses. We are well-known for building strong, supportive relationships among students, faculty and staff. Our alumni become leaders in national and global arenas. Our expert teacher-scholar faculty and our students thrive in our small class environments where robust personal connections and mentoring relationships flourish. We are recognized for the bond of our community and the culture that makes us uniquely Villanova. Our students and faculty prioritize service, life-long learning, and positive impact in the global health and health care environment. The combination of our learning environment, the robust Villanova network and our reputation among health care organizations contributes to the remarkable professional success and personal growth of our alumni. FCN delivers a strong return on investment for our graduates: “Value with Values.” Across the world of health care, our graduates are considered intelligent and compassionate leaders with a “can do” attitude and a community orientation that makes them outstanding citizens and contributors. In the face of a challenge, Villanova nurses lean in. The proof of our strength is visible daily, and perhaps even more so during crises. FCN faculty, students, alumni and staff are making the world a better place.
We are a distinguished College of Nursing that will remain committed to our roots. We are also resolute in our goal to build on our substantial foundation to become what we are not yet. We are restless.
The FCN is restless to become a more compelling catalyst for health care education, research and innovation to shape the future of health, health care, and health care innovation and leadership. As an enterprise, we will develop new programs, curricula and science to advance processes, products and methods to promote the well-being of populations and the education of professional nurses. Cross-cutting themes will drive our “Journey of Becoming”: innovation in all we do; superior preparation to ensure superior outcomes; an enhanced external orientation to build a stronger global presence, reputation and brand; investment in enhancing research and scholarship; and prioritizing inclusive excellence. We will enhance our strong culture to be more proactive and nimble, and to help the FCN to spiral upward. We will dare and we will do.
Villanova Nursing will reach new heights through this strategic plan. We can and we will.
The future beckons.
Aspirations and Select Initiatives
1. Become a leading presence in nursing, nationally and globally.
- Cultivate innovation in all we do.
- In 2023, FCN's first visiting professorship was made possible thanks to the generosity of Francine and Michael Howley P ’18, ’20, ’23 and is focused on creating and expanding innovation and entrepreneurship at the College.
- Rebecca Love, MSN, RN, BS, FIEL is FCN's inaugural (2024) Howley Family Visiting Professor in Healthcare. She is a prominent voice for nursing in innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce and reimbursement issues and initiatives and is co-founder and president emeritus of SONSIEL: The Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs & Leaders.
- Partnered with Philadelphia's University City Science Center on their Scalable Solutions Salon Dinner and a Focused Think Tank event focused on Health Care which included a panel discussion of leading voices on the topic, who sit at the nexus of nursing, innovation and commercialization. Dr. Bridgette Rice and Visiting Proferssor Rebecca Love were among the four panelists.
- Office of Nursing Research and Innovation (ONRI) launched the “Nursing Innovation Challenge” in Jan. 2024 to foster creative solutions that address pertinent nursing issues, seeking ideas that can be implemented within academic, clinical and community settings, focusing on advancing nursing education, nursing practice or improving health outcomes for all, especially for disenfranchised populations.
- Inaugural Simulation Institute held in Fall 2023 for nursing educators to support innovation in simulation education and science.
- Beta tested for a global health care partner a virtual reality simulation program designed for nursing students.
- RN inventor from health system partner tests iterations of device in simulation center (ongoing, via tech transfer/commercialization partner of university).
- Integration of simulation and virtual reality to improve therapeutic communication and readiness to practice in new graduate nurses—a key indicator of patient outcomes.
- Faculty leading efforts for novel uses of wearable devices with the potential for enhanced patient monitoring and prevention of deadly health complications.
- Partnered with a tech firm and designed simulated home health patient content for tablets used by students in our simulation center.
- FCN partnered with Villanova's radio station WXVU to create WXV&U Health, in collaboration with the Office of Health Promotion, the first nurse-led health and well-being department in college radio, nationally. First podcast series, Inspiring Nursing Careers, launched on May 6, 2024 for National Nurses Week.
- Promote faculty and alumni as remarkable clinicians, educators, scholars and thought leaders globally.
- Dr. Bridgette Rice was the invited keynote speaker for the 2022 State of The Science Conference on Social and Structural Determinants of Health presented by the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, an initiative of the American Academy of Nursing. That September 16 paper - a blueprint of sorts- was subsequently published as “Using nursing science to advance policy and practice in the context of social and structural determinants of health” in Nursing Outlook and made available online October 16, 2023.
- Dr. Sunny Hallowell was invited to speak on October 30, 2024 at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Listening Session Series about the Impact of Active Shooter Drills and other School Security Measures, sharing perspectives from school nurses.
- Appoint Assistant Dean to oversee the strategic plan and initiatives.
- Ann Barrow McKenzie, MSN, RN named Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives.
- Pursue 3 new endowed faculty appointments.
- Candidate interviews starting for new Kreider Endowed Professorship in Health Care Simulation and Innovation.
- Increase faculty appointments to key boards, committees, academies and commissions.
- Dr. Helene Moriarty, Professor, Diane L. & Robert F. Moritz Jr. Endowed Chair in Nursing Research is Nurse Scientist; Co-Program Director of VA Interprofessional Fellowship in Patient Safety, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia and serves on the VA Office of Nursing Service, Nursing Research Field Advisory Committee (Mission is to develop, implement, and evaluate a strategic plan for nursing research in the VA health system), 2019 - present; Chair Elect, March 2022 to February 2023; Chair, March 2023 to February 2024.Rise to the Top 30 rankings for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in the U.S.
- An expert in the science of nursing education and simulation, Associate Professor Dr. Jennifer Ross was inducted into the 2023 Class of Fellows in the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education in September.
- Dr. Anne Fink, Associate Dean for College and Student Services and director of the LEAD Professional Development Program, was elected to the NLN Board of Governors, serving a three-year term and operationalizing the mission, vision, core values, and goals as presented in the strategic plan, policies, and programs of the NLN. She is a past member of the National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator Commission.
- Dr. Patricia K. Bradley, Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence, on July 25 was inducted as an inaugural member of the newly established Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (ADLN), at the 52nd Annual Institute and Conference of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) in San Francisco.
- Rise to the Top 30 rankings for Undergraduate and Graduate programs in the U.S.
- FCN ranked #23 in the nation (top 4%) in the 2024-25 USNews & World Report Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs.
In Progress
- Promote faculty and alumni as remarkable clinicians, educators, scholars and thought leaders globally.
- Communication & Marketing team work with Villanova's Media Relations group to develop and promote Faculty Experts for writers and reporters.
- Faculty offer expert opinion on health care matters for news organizations. For instance, after the Surgeon General declared declared gun violence a public health crisis, Dr. Sunny Hallowell spoke with Philadelphia affiliate NBC10 on June 25 about impact on communities.
- Increase faculty appointments to key boards, committees, academies and commissions.
- Sessions held for new faculty regarding the process for application for academy fellowship selection. Senior faculty who are fellows advise on their applications.
- Expand infrastructure to impact goals, data-driven decision making and the telling of our story
- Cultivate innovation in all we do.
- Continued conversations with potential industry partners.
2. Foster an environment of Inclusive Excellence (IE) where all feel a genuine sense of belonging and a fulfilling growth experience. All feel welcomed, valued and respected.
Completed
• Build and sustain an infrastructure that supports IE and a Healthy Work Environment (HWE) where faculty, staff and students thrive.
- HWE committee established.
- Staff committee established. Holds regular meetings to discuss issues as well as on- and off-site team building events for staff.
- Dean Havens implemented a suggestion box for queries and ideas from those faculty and staff who wish to use it.
• Recruit and retain exceptional, collaborative and innovative diverse faculty, staff and students.
- In April 2024, the Villanova University Black Alumni (VUBA) honored two FCN colleagues. Dr. LeRai Martin, Clinical Assistant Instructor, received the Most Admired Faculty Award recognizing her efforts to create supportive and inclusive classroom environments in the College and act as a positive role model. Junior Nick Jubilee received the Student-Athlete Award for Outstanding Achievement. Nick is a highly regarded student leader in the College, is a Presidential Scholar and Honors student, a Nursing Student Ambassador and incoming president of the Multicultural Student Nurses Organization (MSNO), in addition to being Villanova's Varsity Diving Team Captain.
In Progress
• Build and sustain an infrastructure that supports IE and a Healthy Work Environment where faculty, staff and students thrive.
- Special events developed, for instance, in partnership with the Southeastern Pennsylania Black Nurses Association, an annual themed panel event for the series The Power of Black Nurses Voices, in celebration of Black History Month. The panel includes Dr. Bradley and a student moderator.
- Dr. Bradley and FCN's Multicultural Student Nurses Association (MSNO) in 2023 launched the inaugural annual "Alumni of Color Networking" event where nursing alumni interact with students.
• Empower all members of the FCN community to be change agents to address equity, social justice, advocacy, and health and well-being for all.
In Progress
• Recruit and retain exceptional, collaborative and innovative diverse faculty, staff and students.
In Progress
• Support the well-being and professional development of faculty, staff and students.
In Progress
• Coordinate strategies/initiatives with the Villanova University Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
FCN's Dr. Patricia Bradley, Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence, aligns initiatives with both the FCN strategic plan and the University DEI offices and programs.
3. Be the nursing learning environment of choice for faculty, staff, students and employers to educate and launch the next generation of practice-ready nurses.
Completed
• Develop state-of-the-science curricula, teaching methodologies and learning spaces.
- Reimagining of Simulation and Learning Resource Center - an SLRC Feasibility Study - occurred during 2023-24 AY with architects ASG. Planning stage continues.
• Produce graduates who are dynamic leaders with a global perspective who positively transform nursing and health care.
- FCN received a fourth gift from philanthropists William E. Conway, Jr. and his wife, Joanne, bringing their total investment in the College of Nursing to over $10 million. This funding from the Conways—which will support more than 500 Villanova nursing students over the next five years—makes them the largest donors in the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing's history.
- FCN welcomed in fall 2023 its first 5 Conway Fellows into the accelerated 3-year PhD track.
- In August 2023, two sophomores were the first to particpate in the new, semester-long immersion program in Dingle, Ireland through Sacred Heart University. Interest has expanded and in August 2024, 18 students will participate.
• Reimagine and create superlative FCN simulation, teaching and learning methods.
- VINE (Villanova Innovative Nursing Education) Model continues with area hospital partners to enhance student clinical experience and critical reasoning, teach RNs about VINE role and improve job satisfaction and hospital RN retention rates.
• Ensure that the FCN is recognized as a leader in pioneering technology and simulation in the teaching and learning experience.
- FCN beta tested simulation software, virtual reality and other technology for industry.
- Simulation and Learning Resource Center (SLRC) is among the first simulation centers worldwide to be endorsed (2022-2025) by the International Nursing Association of Clinical and Simulation Learning (INACSL) in their new Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement program.
- SLRC achieved Provisional Accreditation (one of only 7 colleges of nursing in the US) from the Society of Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). Provisional Accreditation is granted for two years and allows simulation programs to seek accreditation earlier by focusing on the structure and processes to accredit those aspects of the applying program.
• Promote faculty recognition as nationally distinguished leaders and scientists in the education of nurses and the scholarship of teaching—we “educate educators.”
- Ongoing - faculty nominated for awards
- Accelerated MSN for clinical faculty piloted successfully with a clinical partner.
- In October 2023, Assistant Professor Dr. Michelle McKay was honored with the Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing designation from the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence.
• Maintain status as a National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.
- FCN has achieved NLN Center of Excellence status since it was inaugurated in 2004. It will resubmit an application for the next cycle in spring 2027.
4. Elevate engagement with new and current partners to advance transformative and sustainable partnerships to ignite change in education, research, practice and policy.
Completed
• Partner to provide innovative student externships, mentorship, and experiences with health care delivery organizations-local to global-and all sectors of the health care industry.
- Conversations held to link Villanova's Career Center with health care industry contacts exploring non-traditional summer experiences for nursing students as well as students from other colleges in pharma and medical device companies. Those companies are now connected to the career center for recruiting for summer and post-graduation hires.
- Flynn/Adams Oncology Fellowship summer experience expanded for students who wish to become oncology nurses.
- Students continue to have summer externship option on west coast through partnership with FCN's Gerontology Interest Group and Generations Healthcare.
In Progress
• Work with clinical partners to implement revolutionary evidence-based clinical practice experiences.
- Ongoing exploration of potential experiences.
• Establish faculty and student research collaborations with internal and external partners.
- Ongoing
• Partner to provide innovative student externships, mentorship, and experiences with health care delivery organizations-local to global-and all sectors of the health care industry.
- Ongoing
5. Advance a bold and ambitious nursing research agenda to impact science, education, practice and policy.
Completed
• Hire Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Biostatistician, and Research Office Coordinator.
- Bridgette M. Rice, PhD, MDiv, APRN, FAAN named Associate Dean for Research and Innovation June 1, 2023; Margaret Brace, PhD named Research Assistant Professor; and Stephanie Kozak named Office of Nursing Research Coordinator.
• Build and support FCN research capacity and impact.
- Office of Nursing Research and Innovation (ONRI) launched:
- a monthly enews with faculty research achievements, resources, funding, profiles and more; Data Days events for researchers to gather and work through data-related issues.
- Nursing Innovation Challenge - faculty, staff and student teams, propose novel solutions for nursing and health care challenges
- Cross-College Innovation Challenge- faculty dyads from two separate colleges leverage their disciplinary expertise to advance the “next big thing” in their fields.
- July 1, 2023- Dr. Christina Whitehouse has been selected to receive an NIH LRP (Loan Repayment Program) award through the Clinical Research LRP from the National Institute on Aging. Her LRP award is for a period of two years (07/01/2023 - 06/30/2025). The goal of her research project, “Optimizing Diabetes Management through a Nutrition and Education Intervention” is to improve health outcomes for older adults living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). She will continue her work evaluating the potential benefits of telehealth-delivered diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES), specifically the program RxNET (Prescribing Nutrition and Education via Telehealth) for older adults with T2D and food insecurity.
In Progress
• Build and support FCN research capacity and impact.
- Ongoing
• Develop a research infrastructure to meet faculty mentoring and development needs.
- Facilitate faculty engagement with external research consultants.
- Use University resources to support successful research initiatives.
- ONRI promotes University resources; faculty are utilizing those supports
- Identify faculty areas of expertise and determine matches with funding initiatives.
- ONRI sends out grants digest regularly to faculty and tags faculty who may be interested in specific opportunities.
- Recruit researchers who would bring promising scientific programs with high potential for funding.
- Summer 2024- Professor Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz joined the FCN faculty. She is a researcher and epidemiologist.
- Interviewing candidates for new Kreider Endowed Professorship in Healthcare Simulation and Innovation
- Optimize workload for research-active faculty to support scholarship.
- Enhance student collaboration and engagement on scholarly and research endeavors with faculty and partners and increase their dissemination of science through publications and presentations.
- Traditional BSN students continue to present their work at ENRS Scientific Sessions with nursing faculty researchers
- In March 2024, senior PJ Scarperi was the first nursing student to present his research at the BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Symposium in Madison Square Garden. He also presented his work at both the Oncology Nursing Society and ENRS meetings and has a manuscript under review by the Journal of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Nursing (JOPHON).