Action Steps for 2024-2025 Academic Year

Departments and units presented their action steps for the 2024-2025 academic year at the UND College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines' All-College meeting in May 2024. CNPD Departments and Units will create and implement action steps to address all core values by 2027. 

Learning | A Sense of Wonder

Goal A: Encourage a sense of wonder in the human experience by providing holistic educational opportunities essential for living curious, fulfilling, and responsible lives.

Goal B: Advance the quality of instruction through innovative teaching methods, high impact practices, and strategies to meet diverse learning needs.

Graduate Nursing Department

1. Formulate a definition of experiential learning relevant to graduate nursing programs and tracks.
2. Establish baseline data of percentage of currently enrolled students who have experiential learning with rural and/or underserved populations.
3. Perform a curricular analysis to identify areas experiential learning with rural and/or underserved populations is incorporated across graduate nursing programs and tracks.
4. Assemble a graduate nursing program task force to explore and incorporate experiential learning experiences with rural and/or underserved populations across graduate programs and tracks.
5. Facilitate learning opportunities for CNPD faculty to share current innovative teaching methods and strategies twice each semester.
6. Schedule a session for TTaDA to present to CNPD faculty innovative methods for online teaching methods.
7. Explore inviting an educations methodologist consultant to present best online teaching practices, strategies, and trends to meet the diverse needs of graduate nursing student learners to CNPD faculty AY24-25.

Clinical Resource & Simulation Center

1. Increase the utilization of simulated experiences for all students enrolled in the CNPD.
2. Meet with the three CNPD departments and identify simulation and lab needs.
3. Explore external revenue streams to enhance funding for simulation and lab related experiences and equipment.

Equity | Opportunities for Success

Goal A: Increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff.

Goal B: Provide educational offerings for students, faculty, and staff which address socio-economic, academic, and health disparities.

Social Work Department

1. In honor of Indigenous People’s Month (November), convene a learning event that welcomes broader college attendance to support an organizational and learning environment that embraces the principles and values of cultural humility (lifelong learning, self-reflection, and self-critique; mitigating power imbalances; institutional accountability).
2. The half-day event will include a keynote with a focus on meaningful higher education partnerships, a panel of UND campus experts, and a panel of Indigenous alumni voices (BSSW and MSW).

Clinical Resource & Simulation Center

1. Advertise CRSC schedule and available spaces to allow for student practice time.
2. Seek alternative space within CNPD for students to practice assessments and skills.
3. Provide necessary lab and simulation equipment and supplies.

Affinity | A Sense of Belonging

Goal A: Promote gathering spaces that are welcoming to students in all three disciplines.

Goal B: Offer at least one opportunity each semester during the academic year for all (both on-campus and online) faculty, staff, and students to come together.

Goal C: Expand efforts to highlight student, faculty, staff and alumni achievements to make ourselves more visible to each other and the public.

Goal D: Improve communication regarding workforce, organizational, and programmatic changes within the College.

College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines

1. Host a spring All-College meeting to share progress on strategic planning and engage in fellowship.

Undergraduate Nursing Department

1. The faculty will propose a plan to create an outdoor patio located in front of the CNPD to be used as a gathering space for students from all three disciplines.
2. At the beginning of each semester, banners, signs, or graphics will be placed on the side of the CNPD, near the parking lots, and in the CNPD building welcoming students back.
3. Once per semester, Faculty (with the assistance of staff) will host a social event open to all three disciplines.
4. The UG faculty will post digital highlights of undergraduate students, faculty, and staff on TVs around the Nursing building.
5. Increase student awareness of the importance of representation in department council meetings.
6. Host a “Coffee and Conversation” meeting with the Dean, Administration, and Faculty once per academic semester.
7. Increase Faculty visibility within the Living and Learning Community.

Graduate Nursing Department

1. Each track/program director will provide a community space each semester for students to communicate.
2. Provide students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to socialize at the Graduate Student Orientation.
3. Each track/program director will organize and provide at least one meeting time per semester for students to gather sociably.
4. Student, faculty, staff, and alumni achievement will be shared monthly as a standing agenda item at monthly Graduate Council meetings.
5. Student, faculty, staff, and alumni achievements will be shared with the CNPD Marketing & Communications Coordinator as they occur to be posted on a Graduate Nursing Department blog.
6. A request will be made for an annual Graduate Nursing Department Newsletter to be distributed electronically by the CNPD Marketing & Communications Coordinator to current students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
7. Incorporate a “What’s New” section into a Newsletter that highlights relevant workforce, organizational, and programmatic changes.

Nutrition & Dietetics Department

1. Internally promote the CNPD Research Day to students to attend and participate.
2. Plan, promote, and host a current faculty, staff, student, and alumni event for Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) Conference.
3. Work with CNPD Marketing & Communications Coordinator to do an alumni achievements in our newsletter and through social media efforts.
4. Share our newsletter across departments.

Social Work Department

1. Host an “Organizational Resiliency Workshop” to understand current thinking and best practices concerning organizational health and resiliency, especially in the context of social work practice and education. Identify ‘what is working’ and ‘what would be helpful’ to better align our department with those best practices.
2. Create an action-plan discussion to become our best, most resilient form of ourselves.

Clinical Placement/Advising

1. Increase student awareness and utilization of study spaces within Gillette building, Northern Plains building, and the Nursing building through targeted marketing strategies.
2. Develop a multimedia presentation or video series featuring interviews with current CNPD students, showcasing their daily schedules, clinical/field experiences, study routines, and extracurricular activities to provide an authentic portrayal of the CNPD student experience. 

Dean’s Office Support Unit

1. Survey CNPD students on space needs for studying and gathering. Utilize data gathered from the survey to draft a summary report and a plan of action to submit to the Dean for approval.
2. Increase student participation in the CNPD Welcome Back August event.
3. Organize an end of year, May send-off event during finals week for students in all departments.
4. Request that achievements and news be sent to CNPD Marketing & Communications for inclusion in communications and/or social media.
5. Collect spotlight information on faculty/staff/student workers annually with Qualtrics for inclusion in communications and/or social media.
6. Once a month August-May, send a monthly internal college faculty/staff email with a focus on organizational, workforce, achievement, and news, spotlights, updates, or other relevant information.

Discovery | A Love of Inquiry and Creativity

Goal A: Increase grant applications.

Goal B: Increase dissemination of scholarly work.

Goal C: Create opportunities for collaborative scholarship within the college.

Goal D: Create opportunities for professional growth for all members of the college.

College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines

1. Introduce summer seed grants for 2024

Service | A Commitment to People & Communities

Goal A: Promote opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to engage in service with Tribal Nations, rural and/or underserved populations.

Goal B: Increase involvement of students, staff, faculty, and/or alumni in CNPD affiliated clubs/associations/organizations/service projects.

Goal C: Create at least one collaborative service project that  invites all members of the College to participate each semester during the academic year.

College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines

1. Expand participation of faculty, staff, and students in the Valley Senior Living Adopt-A-Resident service project.
2. Host a Food Insecurity Presentation and complete a CNPD hosted food drive to support the on-campus food pantry.

Clinical Placement/Advising

1. Facilitate a meeting or workshop inviting representatives from different CNPD student organizations to discuss potential collaboration opportunities for donation drives, emphasizing the collective impact and community benefit of pooling resources and efforts. 

Grant Funded Units

The CNPD is fortunate to host two grant-funded units with unique missions. These groups have tailored the CNPD Strategic Plan to align with their specific missions.

Children & Family Services Training Center

Equity 

1. Distribute flyers for Foster Care Provider Trainings further than CFSTC general audience to increase overall Child Welfare knowledge & possibly in turn recruit additional providers/supports. Consider avenues for broader collaborations by contacting those throughout CNPD.
2. Explore opportunity for internship for Conference Committee with registration and logistic fees (lodging/mileage/meals) waived through CNPD. Explore methods within UND to advertise the conference.
3. Consider a Dakota Student article or series of articles to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of CFSTC. Or even consider awareness month articles related to Child Abuse Prevention or Foster Care. Brainstorm content ideas.
4. Collaborate on a U Letter article with CNPD Marketing & Communications Coordinator.
5. Explore opportunities to connect the Social Work Student Association with our local Recruitment and Retention Coalition for volunteering opportunities, education, and/or outreach.

Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN)

Learning

Our vision is to continue to be the premiere provider of culturally competent and innovative support services to American Indians pursuing a healthcare degree in nursing, social work, or nutrition & dietetics education. 

• Goal 1: Continue successful provision of nurse mentors, peer mentors, and professional advisors to support student success.
• Goal 2: Provide students support from pre-entry to graduation.
• Goal 3: Retain AI/AN pre-nursing and undergraduate and graduate nursing students by utilizing RAIN Mentor Model.

Action Steps:

1. Retain AI/AN pre-nursing and undergraduate and graduate nursing students by utilizing RAIN Mentor Model.
2. Identify successful stragies to learning and provide services to resolve barriers.
3. Provide ongoing role modeling. 

Equity

Continue to recruit and retain American Indians into nursing, social work, and nutrition & dietetics; and to share American Indian culture and values to enhance the cultural competence of the University community.  

• Goal 1: Continue to arrange community outreach and visits to advocate for the programs.
• Goal 2: Increase enrollment of and support diverse and disadvantaged students.
• Goal 3: Provide scholarships for stipends, tuition, NCLEX prep, and fees to eligible American Indian students.

Action Steps:

1. Visit Tribal Nations in seven states (Northern Plains).
2. Present to the UND and CNPD community culurally rich opportunities to advance knowlede of American Indians and cultural competence.
3. Award scholarships and provide financial application assistance.

Affinity

Our mission is to provide each student with a safe, nurturing, culturally competent and supportive environment as a sense of family and belonging, “a home away from home”.

• Goal 1: Foster a “home away from home” environment.
• Goal 2: Build a RAIN community.
• Goal 3: Welcome all  CNPD students.
• Goal 4: Provide open door policy and a welcoming learning environment. 

Action Steps:

• Create intentional community building and planning throughout the year.
• Offer space and amenities to all students.  
• Provide a lounge area with couches, chairs and place for work and study.
• Provide information sessions with CNPD students and staff to educate about Native American culture.

Discovery

Promote responsibility, self-confidence, leadership, and excellence in learning to ensure that all students meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. 

• Goal 1: Encourage students to discover and pursue opportunities for personal growth.
• Goal 2: Enhance RAIN staff knowledge by attending various professional trainings and seminars.
• Goal 3: Recruit, retain, and develop diverse staff. 

Action Steps:

1. Increase awareness of nursing as a career.
2. Attend various training sessions and conferences.
3. Host traditional elders to provide RAIN students with cultural knowledge and sense of community.

Service

Our American Indian healthcare professionals will provide the highest quality; compassionate care and leadership to all people. 

• Goal 1: Collaborate and continue relationships with Tribal Nations, Indian Health Services, and Tribal Health facilities.
• Goal 2: Continue collaboration with  tribal colleges, tribal higher education, and junior colleges.
• Goal 3: Continue to develop rapport and provide support services to all students. 

Action Steps:

1. We will attend the North Dakota Tribal Leaders Summit, National Indian Education Association Conference, American Indian Higher Education Conference, and other Career Fairs as reqested.
2. Host travel for CNPD faculty and staff to visit Tribal Nations.
3. Provide information on employment opportunities.