OBU’s Jackson Selected for National Nursing Leadership Program

by Kenny Day

Dr. Nichole Jackson, assistant professor of nursing and College of Nursing simulation director at Oklahoma Baptist University, was recently selected by the National League for Nursing (NLN) to participate in a selective faculty leadership development program.
The year-long leadership development program for simulation educators is one of three tracks in the NLN Leadership Institute, an initiative of the NLN Center for Transformative Leadership. The simulation faculty leadership development initiative, now in its eighth year, is designed for those interested in assuming a leadership role in the research or administration of simulation programs in nursing education.
Dr. Lepaine McHenry, dean of OBU’s College of Nursings, looks forward to the impact the NLN program will have on OBU’s nursing simulation education.
“As we move toward accrediting our simulation center, it is critical that our leadership be knowledgeable of cutting edge research in nursing simulation education,” she said. “This opportunity with the NLN leadership development for simulation educators will further prepare Dr. Jackson to move us forward and become a leader in nursing simulation in the state and beyond.”
Jackson joined the OBU faculty in 2015 as an assistant professor of nursing and the College of Nursing simulation director. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Duquesne University in 2015, after completing both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from OBU in 2007 and 2011 respectively. Her professional experience includes hospital nursing practice, undergraduate education and cross-cultural mission nursing.
Jackson is a Certified Nurse Educator, which is a mark of excellence in the field of nursing education. In 2014, she was awarded a teaching excellence award for outstanding commitment to students and expertise, creativity and leadership in the classroom and beyond.
Jackson is excited to develop as a leader in simulation education.
“Being a part of the NLN simulation leadership program is something that will not only advance my personal knowledge and abilities but will also allow me to further invest in the nursing program at OBU in the area of both simulation and leadership,” she said. “In addition to this program’s contribution to my OBU related role, it will open up national networking opportunities for me and the OBU College of Nursing, which will allow us to remain up to date as changes occur in simulation-related education.”
To expand the science of nursing education while developing their personal leadership portfolios, participants in the program spend time engaged in various activities that examine key issues related to simulation, then focus their efforts on an area of their choice.
Throughout the year, these simulation educators will be immersed in leadership development webinars, exchange ideas and practices, review scholarly research, visit simulation centers, consult with Laerdal Medical Corp. on equipment issues, contribute to a group project and attend professional conferences.
For more information about the College of Nursing at OBU, visit www.okbu.edu/nursing.
With its campus in Shawnee, and locations in Oklahoma City and Broken Arrow, OBU offers 10 bachelor’s degrees with 88 fields of study and five master’s degree programs. The Christian liberal arts university has an overall enrollment of 2,093, with students from 37 states and 40 other countries. OBU has been rated as one of the top 10 regional colleges in the West by U.S. News and World Report for 26 consecutive years and has been Oklahoma’s highest rated regional college in the U.S. News rankings for 24 consecutive years. OBU is one of three universities in Oklahoma and the only private Oklahoma university listed on Great Value College’s rankings of 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the Midwest. Forbes.com consistently ranks OBU as a top university in Oklahoma and the Princeton Review has named OBU one of the best colleges and universities in the western United States for 13 consecutive years.