Rutgers dean of nursing looks forward to challenges

CAMDEN With wide-ranging knowledge as a nurse,JoanneRobinson is ready to tackle heading a nursing school. Robinson, an Evesham resident, was appointed as thefirst deanof a Rutgers UniversitySchool of Nursing-Camden. Her appointmenttook effect Dec. 19. Robinson had been servingas behaving dean since July 1. TheRutgers board of governors authorized a nursing school inJune. Shewas chairwoman for four years of Rutgers-Camden's Department ofNursing, a predecessor to thenursing school."You know, it's overwhelming," Robinson saidduring aninterviewlast week. "It'sa wonderful opportunity to growourschool anddevelop agraduate program.""If we wanted connoisseur programs (for nursing), we have to goup a turnpike or opposite a river," a maestro helper as well as teachersaid."Now we'll be able to providethe opportunityright herefornurses.""There are a ton of wonderful nurses in South Jersey who canteach as well as who want to serve their education," she said.Robinson is ready for a challenge."I proposed out in critical care," she said. "I wanted to besureI could hoop anything.I knew what to do. Nothing wouldthrow me, clinically."She then worked in home care as well as later hospice."I ended up in gerontology. The challenges there are enormous... but it is so rewarding."Before joining Rutgers-Camden, Robinson was clinical directorfor a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Teaching Nursing HomeProject as well as later was an associate professor of nursing, both atRutgers-Newark.Robinson has a bachelor's degree in nursing from WilliamPaterson College as well as a master's in village health nursing fromRutgers-Newark. She earned a master's in social gerontology as well as adoctorate in nursing from a University of Pennsylvania.In a note to faculty, Rutgers President Richard L. McCormickcalled Robinson "a academician with imagination in nursing care of theelderly.""As founding dean, Dr. Robinson will continue to work with hernursing expertise colleagues to allege a academic programs thatwill conclude a School of Nursing-Camden. She is more than preparedfor a task," McCormick said.Robinson co-founded a New Jersey End-of-Life Nursing EducationConsortium, served on a governor's Advisory Council on Elder Careand a New Jersey Commission on Aging, as well as has participated inseveralstatewide initiatives to improve nursing home care andaccess to senior services."Dr. Robinson is an effective administrator as well as exceptionalresearch academician who has a firm understanding of a critical roleof nursing education in a success of health care in New Jerseyand opposite a nation," McCormick said in a statement."I am confident that she will help to allege a Rutgers Schoolof Nursing to the rightful place as a premier center for healtheducation as well as innovation in the segment as well as state."The Rutgers School of Nursing enrolls 317 students who aretaught by 29 full- as well as part-time faculty. Chris Bishop: 609-871-8140; email: cbishop@phillyBurbs.com;Twitter: @chrisleebishop 2011 phillyBurbs.com . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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