Two IU School of Nursing faculty members named fellows in the Academy of Nursing Education : Newscenter : IUPUI

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Two IU School of Nursing faculty members named fellows in the Academy of Nursing Education

Aug. 21, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS - IU School of Nursing faculty members Janet Phillips and Sara Horton-Deutsch have been selected for induction into the prestigious National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education. There are currently six fellows at the IU School of Nursing and 184 total across the country.

The selection process for academy induction is competitive. Criteria include applicants' contributions to innovative teaching and/or learning strategies; nursing education research; faculty development activities; academic leadership; promotion of public policy that advances nursing education; and/or collaborative educational, practice or community partnerships.

"I am inspired by the vision, talent, wisdom and experience of the 2013 fellows, whom I know will bear the ANEF credential with pride," National League for Nursing CEO Beverly Malone said.

Horton-Deutsch, a full-time tenured faculty member, serves as the coordinator of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track in the Master’s in Nursing Science program. Her curricular work has been published in a top-ranking psychiatric nursing journal, Archives of Psychiatric Nursing.

Her nomination letter focused on her dedication. “In education, where others would have seen obstacles preventing progress, Sara saw opportunity for dialogue, reflection and challenging the status quo. She has led the efforts of Indiana University School of Nursing to integrate reflection and culturally sensitive health services through role-modeling and curricular innovations, and to transform our graduate psychiatric mental health nursing from a clinical nurse specialist degree to a nurse practitioner degree. Her efforts have resulted in a psychiatric mental health graduate program that immerses students in reflection, critical thinking and clinical reasoning in relation to culture and has improved services for diverse individuals, families and groups.”

Phillips is a full-time clinical assistant professor for the department of Environments for Health Community and Health Systems. Her professional expertise lies in the areas of partnerships and adoption of innovative curricula. She has been teaching nursing for 14 years in clinical, didactic, laboratory and online settings. She is the director for the Indiana University School of Nursing RN to BSN Degree Completion Program, where she oversees the implementation and evaluation of a statewide program of over 300 students.

Phillips’ nomination letters focused on the scope of her work. “The key aspects of her contributions to nursing education that make her eligible to become a fellow in this prestigious nursing education academy are 1) the national scope of her work in adoption of innovations; 2) her leadership of national committees that developed a framework for guidelines for academic progression in nursing; 3) her sustained publication record and dissemination of her work; 4) her leadership in developing a model for statewide academic progression of RN to BSN in a distance learning, partnership environment.”

“IU School of Nursing has a well-earned reputation for excellence in nursing education. With two NLN designations for teaching excellence, and now eight fellows in the academy, this is the place to be if you are interested in being a leader in both the study and practice of nursing education,” said Marion Broome, dean of the IU School of Nursing. “Dr. Phillips and Dr. Horton-Deutsch are outstanding nursing leaders, and I’m so proud that the NLN has recognized their talents.”

The National League for Nursing established the Academy of Nursing Education in 2007 to foster excellence in nursing education by recognizing visionary leadership and capitalizing on the wisdom of outstanding nurse educators.

The Indiana University School of Nursing is one of the largest nursing schools in the nation. Ranked eighth among public schools and colleges of nursing for National Institutes of Health funding, the school boasts a robust program of research focused on quality of life in chronic illness. A full 40 percent of Indiana’s nurses are IU School of Nursing alumni. Programs range from three undergraduate options, nine tracks in the master’s program, post-master’s options, a Ph.D. in nursing science, a Doctor of Nursing Practice and continuing education opportunities. U.S. News & World Report ranked the graduate programs 15th in its 2013 Best Graduate School rankings, with adult clinical nurse specialist ranked third.