Advancing nursing’s future in Minnesota and beyond
Reflecting on this past year, I am profoundly grateful for the dedicated people, the impactful partnerships, and the boundless possibilities that define the relationships and impact of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Together, we are not just preparing nurses for tomorrow; we are actively shaping a healthier, more equitable future for all.
Our foundational commitment to Minnesota’s workforce needs has a vibrant home in the Center for Nursing Equity and Excellence (CNEE), which serves as Minnesota’s official nursing workforce center. Through CNEE, with partnerships with the Minnesota State System and all nursing schools and system, industry and policy entities, we are addressing critical workforce shortages to ensure a robust, skilled, sustainable and flourishing nursing workforce across our state. Meanwhile, the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing celebrated 30 years of advancing wellbeing and whole-person care. Our academic-practice collaboratories, which now total 11 with the addition of HealthPartners, continue to serve as living innovation hubs where education, research and clinical practice seamlessly unite.
The future of nursing, especially amidst rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and digital health, will be defined by what we know, and most significantly how we lead. At the University of Minnesota, we are actively leading national efforts to ensure nurses shape the governance and adoption of emerging technologies. As technology extends our reach, humanity, critical thinking, and compassion must remain at the center. Our academic excellence, as reflected in our No. 8 rankings for both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs by U.S. News & World Report, guides our commitment to optimal health for all people and the planet.
To our alumni, donors, interprofessional partners, and friends: thank you for your unwavering support this past academic year. Your belief in our mission fuels the momentum captured across these pages.
Together, let us continue to discover, to innovate, and to care deeply and boldly.
Professor and Dean