Dr. Sheree Dickenson placed second at the 2019 Georgia Association for Nursing Education Conference. Dickenson is an assistant professor for the RN to BSN program in the ASU Darton College of Health Professions. She began working at ASU full-time in 2015 and enjoys facilitating the nursing care of patients all over Georgia by educating nursing students. Dickenson earned an ASN from Georgia Southwestern; a BSN from Georgia Southwestern an MSN from Valdosta State University; and an Ed.D. in instructional leadership for nurse educators from the University of Alabama.

What do you do at Albany State University and what motivated you to learn more about that field?

 I teach RN to BSN students in an online environment. I taught Fundamentals of Nursing for Associate of Science in nursing (ASN) students my first 3 years here. The impetus that led to the change from hospital education to nursing education for me years ago was the challenge of developing a new nursing curriculum and teaching beginning nursing students. Now, as an online instructor in the RN to BSN program, I have the privilege of facilitating the learning of many of our previous ASN students, as well as ASN graduates all over the state.

You recently won second place at the statewide nursing educator conference for the Georgia Association for Nursing Education. Give us a few details on your poster presentation and what you plan on researching next.  

My poster presentation was on the impact of guided reflection on clinical judgment of ASN students. Clinical judgment involves what the nurse or nursing student notices about a patient, how they interpret and prioritize the information, how they reflect on their initial response to the situation, and how they reflect on their overall decision making. Although the need for improvement in patient outcomes in health care was stressed by the Institute of Medicine in 1999, very little improvement has occurred. Nurses have contact with patients more than any other healthcare provider and should be able to make a difference in patient outcomes. My research looks at whether reflecting on the care provided by journaling affects the clinical judgment of a student, which in turn, might improve patient outcomes.

Why did you choose to work at ASU?

The Darton College of Health Professions has a long- standing reputation as being one of the best ASN programs in the state.

What are your responsibilities as a faculty member of the Nursing Department?

I facilitate the learning of RNs wanting to further their education by obtaining a bachelor’s in nursing degree. Having a BSN is becoming the requirement for nurses in many hospitals today.

What do you love most about being a professor at ASU?

As an instructor at ASU, I have an opportunity to influence the nursing care provided to patients all over the state (we have many online students from all areas of Georgia).  We provide many avenues to reach a career in nursing.  We recently changed our RN to BSN courses to 8- week courses to expedite graduation for those desiring a faster route to the BSN.  Also, the nursing faculty I have the privilege to work with are some of the best!

Who made the biggest impact on you and who is someone you consider to be a role model?

An older nursing instructor who first taught me about nursing curriculum when I began in nursing education. She was extremely intelligent and had experience as a consultant for nursing programs and was a participant on nationwide advisory councils.

What are obstacles you’ve had to overcome to progress as a professor and scholar? 

The time commitment is the biggest obstacle.

What is something people don’t know about you?

Yard work provides so much peace. (Those who know me know this, however.)

What advice would you give to students with an interest in your job?

 Teaching nursing is very rewarding.