In 2018, Proctor won a gold medal at the World Championship in baton twirling in Lillehammer, Norway. On May 10, the Buffalo, N.Y., native will achieve another milestone when she crosses the stage to accept her hard-earned bachelor’s degree in nursing. Proctor became an expert multi-tasker as she tackled nursing school studies, baton twirling for UofL fans and a job at Norton Children’s hospital as a student health care assistant.

As she rotated through different clinicals, her nursing capstone experience took her with the critical care float team where she encountered every unit at Norton Children’s. This helped determine her steps after graduation.

“I fell in love with pediatric care,” said Proctor, who has decided to continue her education through UofL’s . “I know pediatrics is a very hard job, but I find it gratifying. I’m here to make those kids laugh and make their days a little better.”

Fortunately for Proctor, making the decision to advance her nursing education means continuing to do the things she most treasures.

“I am so grateful that the twirling scholarship I received will pay for the majority of my DNP program – and I can remain for two more years as the featured twirler for UofL.”

The New York native credits the caring and supportive UofL nursing faculty who helped her manage the tough schedule and nursing school curriculum for the past four years. “It’s reassuring knowing that I have adults on my side to help in case I need it or just be there to support me like my family would back home,” Proctor said.

She recognized the impact of one professor, in particular.

“Starting nursing school, I was nervous because it’s intimidating, but then I met Dr. Rebecca Gesler, who recognized me from UofL games as the twirler,” said Proctor. “She has done a lot more for me than she may realize. I knew it was going to be hard, but I’m very grateful that the professors and instructors at the are willing to be not just educators but also support systems.”

As for the future, until at least May 2028, when the nurse is scheduled to complete her Doctor of Nurse Practitioner degree, the UofL community – and the whole community – will continue to benefit from Proctor’s talents as she twirls on the field and provides health care to children.

“It’s going to be tough for sure, but I’m excited to keep going and do what I love.”

Read more about Protor’s UofL journey.��

Sonya Hardin, PhD, MBA, MHA, CCRN, NP-C, FAAN, dean of the UofL School of Nursing, will preside over the ceremony on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Health Sciences Center auditorium located in the Kornhauser Health Sciences Library, 500 S. Preston St.

“DNP students will graduate to become advanced practice nursing leaders who will shap health care and health systems,” said Sara Robertson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, director of the DNP program and assistant professor at the UofL School of Nursing. “They are prepared to transform health care by applying the latest in evidence-based research into practice. This will improve population health and health care delivery.”

The doctoral program is designed for students with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in nursing and focuses on creation and implementation of evidence-based care, management of care, leadership in health care organizations and development of health policy.

The School of Nursing offers advanced practice nursing specialties in adult-gerontology primary care, adult-gerontology acute care, family medicine, neonatal care and psychiatric care.

Meanwhile, upper division bachelor of science in nursing students will take part this month in a transition ceremony where undergraduate students begin the clinical curriculum and transition into the profession of nursing. The event is Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. in the Student Activities Center (SAC), Ballroom, 2100 S. Floyd St.

The UofL School of Nursing Owensboro extension program also will host a transition ceremony on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at Owensboro Regional Hospital, Building B Auditorium, 1201 Pleasant Valley Rd., Owensboro.

The school received notification this week that the baccalaureate and master’s degree programs continue to meet all of the organization’s accreditation standards following review of the continuous improvement progress report submitted by the program.

“Accreditation reflects the quality of our academic programs that meet national standards for our profession of nursing,” said Marcia J. Hern, EdD, RN, CNS, dean of the UofL School of Nursing. “Our recent notice indicates that over the past six years we have continuously improved our programs to meet and even exceed some standards.”

In 2011, the baccalaureate and master’s degree programs at the UofL School of Nursing were accredited by CCNE for 10 years, the maximum length of time the CCNE will re-accredit nursing programs. This week’s report affirms continuous improvement for the programs, as required by CCNE standards and procedures. According to its website, CCNE is an independent organization that ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and entry-to-practice nurse residency programs.

The UofL School of Nursing confers bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees through traditional and online courses, as well as an extension program in Owensboro, Kentucky. Newer degree programs include the , which prepares nurses to be leaders in clinical, health policy and administrative positions, and the , designed for college graduates seeking to transition to a nursing career, equipping them with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing.

Faculty and student services staff members will host separate information sessions on the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, RN-to-BSN online program and Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing (MEPN) second degree program from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Information sessions on the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs will take place from 7 to 8 p.m.

The open house will take place at the School of Nursing, 555 S. Floyd St. To register, .

Cassedy, BSN, RN, is part of the inaugural cohort of the University of Louisville School of Nursing’s (DNP) program, composed of 54 students for the 2016-2017 academic year.

The program, which begins Aug. 25, prepares nurse leaders to meet changing health care demands by focusing on advanced practice knowledge to improve outcomes of diverse patient populations. The doctoral students will focus on development and use of evidence-based care, management of care, leadership in health care organizations, and development and implementation of health policy.

Having the authority to decide treatment plans for patients based on evidence is important to Cassedy, who will pursue the DNP program’s psychiatric/mental health concentration.

Her 31-year-old son Sean Cassedy killed himself in May 2013 after three deployments to Iraq. He had suffered a combat-related traumatic brain injury and had post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I see the problems with psychiatric care,” Cassedy said. “We lose too many veterans to suicide. I think all we’re doing is writing prescriptions and it doesn’t solve the problem. We’re just treating symptoms. What are we missing? What are we not seeing? At a doctoral level, I can do research and have a different view from a bedside nurse.”

The DNP program places nursing on par with other health professions that have practice doctorates – such as pharmacy and physical therapy – and aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s call to increase the level of preparation necessary for advanced practice nursing roles from the master’s degree to the doctoral level.

With tracks for people with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in nursing, the program features a hybrid teaching model of in-person and online instruction. Classes will meet on campus five days a semester.

“The students will graduate to become nurse practitioners and advanced practice nursing leaders who will help shape health care and system arenas,” said School of Nursing Dean Marcia J. Hern, EdD, CNS, RN. “Using sophisticated nursing evidence, they will improve population health and organizational change.”