Dean Fitzpatrick honored with Leader of Leaders Award from National Student Nurses’ Association
Dean Fitzpatrick (center) was honored by NSNA with its Leader of Leaders Award. Photo Harry Butler, Nashville ©2016 NSNA
M. Louise Fitzpatrick, EdD, RN, FAAN, Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor of the Villanova University College of Nursing, received the 2016 Leader of Leaders Award from the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) on March 30th at NSNA’s 64th Annual Convention at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla. The award is “presented to an outstanding dean, faculty advisor, or state consultant who demonstrates distinguished support and service to nursing students,” according to NSNA’s website.
Since her arrival at the College in 1978, Dean Fitzpatrick has championed the establishment of, and participation, in pre-professional activities for nursing students to development them as nurses and leaders. An NSNA member while a student at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, she knew firsthand the impact of involvement in NSNA upon future careers and establishing an NSNA chapter at Villanova was a priority for her.
Dean Fitzpatrick and the Villanova Nursing delegation to the NSNA convention, where she received an award and Villanova was once again named a Stellar School. Photo Harry Butler, Nashville ©2016 NSNA
Since those early days, a number of Villanova Nursing students have held office at the state and national levels. Dean Fitzpatrick continues to encourage involvement in the NSNA and its opportunities for growth. She ensures support and generates enthusiasm for NSNA and the nursing profession by clearly communicating the importance of NSNA to faculty, students and the university and making involvement a College of Nursing value and priority.
Through the years, Dean Fitzpatrick takes the time to personally congratulate new chapter officers and members, inspires them and shows them how passionate she is about the nursing students involved in the chapter and NSNA. She is an exemplar who exhibits and teaches professionalism. From her leadership and her professionalism, Villanova’s chapter thrives as a Stellar School, active on the local, state and national levels. Large delegations have attended every state and NSNA Annual Convention
Dean Fitzpatrick has invested wisely and passionately in the development of nursing students and has been a strong advocate for excellence and leadership through NSNA.