School of Nursing & Health Innovations Committees
The governance model for the School of Nursing & Health Innovations (SONHI) community is one of shared decision-making by consensus. We consider consensus to be when all members can participate in the decision-making process and agree to support the decision of the whole. Using consensus, faculty, staff, and students participate in the discussion of issues and agree to act. Committees are used to facilitate the work of the SONHI community.
The standing SONHI committees for 2023-24 are: (1) Community, (2) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (3) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Curriculum, (4) Integrative Health & Wellness (IHW) Curriculum, (5) Graduate Curriculum, (6) Community Professional Development, and (7) Research and Scholarship. Each Curriculum Committee (BSN, IHW, and Graduate) has two standing task forces: (1) Academic Progression and Success and (2) Assessment and Evaluation. Throughout the year, ad-hoc task forces may be created in a committee to complete work towards the committee goals.
Each SONHI committee meets a minimum of twice a semester and more frequently, as needed. Continuous quality improvement proposals that are approved by a committee are sent directly to Community for review, discussion, and voting.
SONHI students are invited and encouraged to join SONHI committees as student representatives at the beginning of each new academic year.
See below for details about each committee and their 2023-24 goals and action steps. Note that purpose statements, goals, and action steps may be adjusted throughout the year.
Click here for a summary of the 2022-23 committee activities.
Click here for a summary of the 2021-22 committee activities.
Please contact Stacey Boatright at boatrigh@up.edu with questions.
Community
Committee Purpose: Serves as the decision-making body of the SONHI. Provides a mechanism by which issues pertaining to the SONHI may be managed in an efficient, creative, and effective manner. Provides a brave and safe forum that promotes radical listening, open communication, free expression, and the exchange of ideas among faculty, staff, and students, as well as enhances the SONHI’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals with shared accountability. Provides an organizational process to support the professional growth and development of faculty, staff, and students.
2023-24 Chair: Tim Winslea
2023-24 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change.
Action Step:
- Provide forums to enhance and support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Ensure the SONHI Community receives progress and evaluation reports on the implementation of the SONHI DEIAPC
Goal #2: Provide the Community with timely information about initiatives, issues, development activities, and proposals.
Action Steps:
- Manage the SONHI Community Moodle page
- Process CQI proposals
- Plan and facilitate SONHI Community meetings
- Coordinate faculty/staff professional development sessions with the Community Professional Development Committee
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Committee Purpose: Create and foster a just culture of belonging that eliminates barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the UPSONHI.
2023-24 Chair: Dr. Toyin Olukotun
2023-24 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Enhance commitment to meeting our school’s DEI goals for students, faculty, and staff with shared accountability with the university. (DEI Action Plan for Change/DEIAPC Goal 1)
Action Steps:
- Evaluate on a scheduled timeline and establish an ongoing review process of the SONHI DEIAPC to provide transparency for the SONHI faculty, staff and students on its progress
- Create a dashboard on the SONHI website to reflect current statistics in terms of diversity (collaborate with the assessment and accreditation manager)
- Establish diversity goals that are reflective of the upcoming Portland pool of students. Portland Public Schools is only 55% white. Additionally, consider representation of the region, not just of Portland or the state of Oregon.
- Host ongoing student focus groups to have them envision and provide input to the DEI goals for the SONHI
- Establish a monthly meeting with OIEDI and include a member from the different departments across campus to meet regularly and report on progress of goals [Note: The frequency of meetings may be adjusted as necessary/appropriate]
- Process CQI proposals
Goal #2: Engage in radical listening to raise the voices of those who are often silenced and unheard. (DEIAPC Goal 2)
Action Steps:
- Manage the anonymous bias reporting system for students that was implemented in Spring 2021
- Create Intentional Listening Groups to use radical listening and commit to amplifying BIPOC and LGBTIA+ voices
- Strengthen academic advising and encourage faculty to create brave spaces for their advisees through the use of holistic advising
- Create space with ongoing BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Town Halls. Offer Town Halls led by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ faculty and staff, as well as Town Halls led by the DEI Student Subcommittee.
Goal #3: Provide mandatory foundational learning opportunities for the faculty and staff of the SONHI grounded in racial and social justice that will create an anti-racist culture of equity and inclusivity (DEIAPC Goal 3)
Action Steps:
- Continue the DEI Social Justice Book Club and DEI Social Justice Study Group (to be coordinated by the DEI Education Programs Subcommittee)
- Focus on curricular oversight and the ways in which the curriculum causes harm and perpetuates racism and bias (to be coordinated by the DEI Curriculum Subcommittee)
- Review SONHI courses and look at how BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ are presented in each course and provide feedback to faculty (to be coordinated by the DEI Curriculum Subcommittee)
- Review reports of DEI-related changes made in the BSN, IHW, and DNP program courses based on Spring 2023, Summer 2023, and Fall 2023 course summaries (reports provided by the assessment and accreditation manager)
Goal #4: Broadly share the work of the UPSONHI Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee. (DEIAPC Goal 10)
Action Steps:
- Collaborate with the OIEDI to highlight the DEI Committee and DEI Student Subcommittee
- Review the SONHI DEI Committee webpage and work with the SONHI web manager to make any necessary updates or revisions
Note: More information about the DEI Committee is available here.
BSN Curriculum Committee
Committee Purpose: Responsible for leading the monitoring, structuring, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement of the BSN program of study. Monitor content and structure of curriculum, the sequence of the program of study, and the courses taught. Oversee curricular fidelity and integrity, and ensures professional standards are integrated in the curriculum.
2023-24 Chair: Dr. Marjorie Attis-Josias
2023-24 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change.
Action Step:
- Ensure all BSN curricular decisions are made through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Goal #2: Lead the monitoring and continuous quality improvement of the BSN program of study.
Action Steps:
- Monitor the content, structure, and sequence of the BSN program of study and propose improvements:
- Conduct syllabi reviews for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
- Conduct course summary assessments for Spring 2023, Summer 2023, and Fall 2023
- Conduct annual curriculum content audit/tracking (e.g. HIV/AIDS, Pain, Communication)
- Monitor the NRS 206 skills dedensification changes approved in May 2023
- Finish the BSN concept package review project that began in 2022-23
- Finish the concept definition citation project that began in 2022-23
- Define “concept exemplar” and identify one exemplar for each concept in the BSN program curriculum
- Process BSN program CQI proposals
- Ensure the BSN program of study reflects current, relevant professional nursing standards and guidelines:
- Create the new AACN Essentials to BSN course outcomes crosswalk
- Create the 2023 NCLEX Test Plan crosswalk
- Review the updated BSN end-of-program competencies to BSN course outcomes crosswalk (to be led by the assessment and accreditation manager)
- Review the BSN program outcomes to new AACN Essentials (entry-level domains) crosswalk (to be created by BSN program leadership)
- Evaluate BSN program assessment practices and policies:
- Review the Analysis of NCLEX Program Reports from Mountain Measurement and write a summary and recommendations
- Analyze the 2023 RN Licensure Tracking Sheet and write a summary and recommendations
Task Forces:
Assessment and Evaluation: Ensure that BSN assessment and evaluation practices align with and reflect best education and meet our diverse needs. Assess BSN student readiness for RN licensure and practice, as well as performance on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Provide accreditors with evidence of a rigorous, effective BSN program.
Action Steps: Monitor the achievement of the following BSN program effectiveness outcomes/ benchmarks:
- 70% program completion rate
- 100% of students passing their final practicum course
- 100% of graduating students meeting all degree requirements
- 4.30 teaching effectiveness average
- 80% total NCLEX pass rate for CCNE
- 75% first-time -or- 90% total NCLEX pass rate for OSBN
- 70% employment rate within 1 year of graduation
- 90% of graduating students satisfied with preparation
- 90% of graduating students would recommend the BSN program to others
- 5% of graduating students gave a presented/published during their program
Academic Progression and Success: Review and propose BSN program policies, procedures, and student support services to allow for maximum retention and/or student transition success.
Action Steps:
- Re-examine and improve BSN exams and courses. (DEIAPC Goal 6)
- Review the BSN program’s 76% standard for passing exams
- Review and revise the former/outdated “Exam Committee Policy”
- Review and revise the BSN Exam Analysis Report template and process, including integration of the latest ExamSoft functionality
- Review and revise the SONHI Exam Resources Moodle page
- Review the BSN grading scale since final grades are made up of the students’ exams. (DEIAPC Goal 6)
- Conduct BSN student focus groups regarding program experience
- Examine other BSN policies, procedures, and student support needs as identified by the Committee (DEIAPC Goal 6)
IHW Curriculum Committee
Committee Purpose: Responsible for leading the monitoring, structuring, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement of the IHW program of study. Monitor content and structure of curriculum, the sequence of the program of study, and the courses taught. Oversee curricular fidelity and integrity, and ensures professional standards are integrated in the curriculum.
2023-24 Chair: Tanya Bachman
2023-24 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change.
Action Step:
- Ensure that all IHW curricular decisions are made through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Goal #2: Lead the monitoring and continuous quality improvement of the BSN program of study.
Action Steps:
- Monitor the content, structure, and sequence of the IHW program of study and propose improvements:
- Conduct syllabi reviews for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
- Conduct course summary assessments for Spring 2023 & Fall 2023
- Create a list of upper-division health-focused electives that meet the IHW Minor requirement
- Examine the anatomy and physiology requirements for the BS-IHW program and IHW Minor
- Monitor the Integrative Health Coaching program for post-baccalaureate students (continuing education)
- Process IHW program CQI proposals
- Ensure the IHW program of study reflects current, relevant professional nursing standards and guidelines.
- Monitor BS-IHW graduate eligibility for the Certified Health Educator Specialist (CHES) exam
- Monitor NBHWC requirements to ensure ongoing Integrative Health Coaching program approval/compliance
- Evaluate IHW program assessment practices and policies.
- Evaluate the grade of “D” as the standard for passing IHW courses
Task Forces:
Assessment and Evaluation: Ensure that BS-IHW assessment and evaluation practices align with and reflect best education and meet our diverse needs. Assess Health Coaching student readiness for national Health Coaching certification and practice, as well as performance on the NBHWC certifying exam. Provide accreditors with evidence of a rigorous, effective BS-IHW program.
Action Steps: Monitor the achievement of the following IHW program effectiveness outcomes/ benchmarks:
- 70% program completion rate
- 100% of students passing their final practicum course
- 100% of graduating students meeting all degree requirements
- 4.30 teaching effectiveness average
- 70% employed in the field of health and wellness or accepted to/enrolled in further education (ay level) within 1 year of graduation
- 90% of graduating students satisfied with preparation
- 90% of graduating students would recommend the IHW program to others
Academic Progression and Success: Review and propose IHW program policies, procedures, and student support services to allow for maximum retention and/or student transition success.
Action Steps:
- Review the IHW grading scale.
- Conduct IHW student focus groups regarding program experience.
- Examine other IHW program policies, procedures, and student support needs as identified by the Committee.
Graduate Curriculum Committee
Committee Purpose: Responsible for leading the monitoring, structuring, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement of the graduate-level programs of study. Monitor content and structure of curriculum, the sequence of the program of study, and the courses taught. Oversee curricular fidelity and integrity, and ensures professional standards are integrated in the curriculum.
2023-24 Chair: Dr. Gary Laustsen
2023-24 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change.
Action Step:
- Ensure that all graduate curricular decisions are made through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Goal #2: Lead the monitoring and continuous quality improvement of the DNP program of study.
Action Steps:
- Monitor the content, structure, and sequence of the DNP program of study and propose improvements:
- Conduct syllabi reviews for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
- Conduct Year 2 course reviews
- Complete annual cultural competency content audit/tracking
- Write the course outcomes for the revised DNP program of study
- Evaluate the first offering of NRS 683: Management of Geriatric Patients in Primary Care
- Evaluate the first offering of NRS 654: Primary & Specialty Palliative Care course (offered in two parts as NRS 691 in Fall 2022 and NRS 691 in Spring 2023)
- Conduct a market analysis to determine feasibility and area of focus for a post master’s DNP program of study
- Process DNP program CQI proposals
- Ensure the DNP program of study reflects current, relevant professional nursing standards and guidelines:
- Crosswalk the new AACN Essentials to course outcomes in the current DNP program of study
- Crosswalk the new AACN Essentials to course outcomes in the revised DNP program of study going into effect Summer 2024
- Ensure compliance with the revised NTF Criteria
- Crosswalk the revised NONPF NP Core Competencies to the current DNP program of study
- Crosswalk the revised NONPF NP Core Competencies to the revised DNP program of study
- Crosswalk the NONPF FNP Competencies to the revised DNP program of study
- Crosswalk the NONPF AGPCNP Competencies to the revised DNP program of study
- Crosswalk the DNP end-of-program outcomes to the DNP course outcomes in the current program of study
- Crosswalk the DNP end-of-program outcomes to the DNP course outcomes in the revised program of study
- Crosswalk the AACN G-CARES to the revised DNP program of study
- Crosswalk the NCIPH Integrative Health Competencies to the revised DNP program of study
- Review the Crosswalk of the DNP program outcomes to AACN Essentials (advanced-level domains) (to be created by DNP program leadership)
- Evaluate DNP program assessment practices and policies:
- Finalize and implement clinical management map (NP procedures, simulations, OSCEs, “progress indicators”)
- Convert topical outlines to clinical exemplars
- Review face-to-face weekend immersion attendance policy to determine if revisions are needed for Summer courses
- Review the criteria for passing clinical courses (for example, completion of all assignments or satisfactory completion of all assignments?)
Task Forces:
Assessment and Evaluation: Ensure that DNP program assessment and evaluation practices align with and reflect best education and meet our diverse needs. Assess student readiness for NP certification and practice, as well as performance on the national NP certifying exams. Provide accreditors with evidence of a rigorous, effective DNP program.
Action Steps: Monitor the achievement of the following DNP program effectiveness outcomes/ benchmarks:
- 70% program completion rate
- 100% of students passing their final practicum course
- 100% of graduating students meeting all degree requirements
- 4.30 teaching effectiveness average
- 80% first-time national NP certification exam pass
- 70% employed within 1 year of graduation
- 90% of graduating students satisfied with preparation
- 90% of graduating students would recommend the DNP program to others
- 5% of graduating students gave a presented/published during their program
Academic Progression and Success: Review and propose graduate program policies, procedures, and student support services to allow for maximum retention and/or student transition success.
Action Steps:
- Examine DNP exam practices, particularly the idea of integrating low-stakes exams as appropriate in Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology.
- Review/revise graduate writing and other student evaluation rubrics.
- Monitor the implementation of Amplify.
- Examine weekend immersion scheduling and the ratio of face-to-face versus online program delivery
- Conduct DNP student focus groups regarding program experience.
- Examine other DNP program policies, procedures, and student support needs as identified by the Committee.
Community Professional Development Committee
Committee Purpose: Support the professional development of SONHI Community members through education and training for: teaching and learning, vital practice, and leadership.
2023-24 Chair: Dr. Kala Mayer
2023-24 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change (DEIAPC).
Action Steps:
- Collaborate with the DEI Committee to determine continuing education needs of faculty and staff.
- Provide mandatory foundational learning opportunities for faculty and staff of the School of Nursing & Health Innovations grounded in racial and social justice to contribute to an anti-racist culture of equity and inclusivity (collaborate with DEI Committee) (DEIAPC Goal 3)
Goal #2: Support teaching and learning needs of the faculty.
Action Steps:
- Survey faculty regarding development needs
- Plan and facilitate faculty professional development sessions for teaching development (coordinate with the Community Chair)
Goal #3: Support vital practice needs of the faculty, staff and students
Action Steps:
- Survey faculty, staff and students regarding vital practice needs
- Plan and facilitate faculty, staff, and student professional development sessions for vital practice development (coordinate with the Community Chair)
Goal #4: Support leadership development needs of the faculty and staff
Action Steps:
- Survey faculty and staff regarding leadership development needs
- Plan and facilitate faculty and staff professional development sessions for leadership development (coordinate with the Community Chair)
Research and Scholarship Committee
Committee Purpose: Support the development of scholarly excellence by faculty, undergraduate and graduate student researchers, and staff in the SONHI. Primary areas of focus include: supporting the development of individual, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research programs and projects; supporting endeavors to secure internal and external grant funding; supporting dissemination of scholarly products; and serving as the liaison and coordinator for undergraduate student research and scholarship for events such as Founder’s Day.
2023-24 Chair: Dr. Andrew Downs
2023-24 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change (DEIAPC).
Action Steps:
- Review UPSONHI’s AACN Culture and Climate Survey Report (received in Spring 2023) and present recommendations for programmatic and/or curricular improvements in the BSN and DNP programs to the SONHI Deans, Directors & Chairs
Goal #2: Support SONHI faculty research programs and projects.
Action Steps:
- Finalize proposed revisions to SONHI faculty expectations and present them to the SONHI Community for approval (proposed revisions to be led by the Dean Team, Accreditation Consultant, and Accreditation Manager)
- Create a crosswalk of UP’s faculty expectations and the SONHI’s faculty expectations to demonstrate congruency for the CCNE self-study and site visit
- Propose SONHI minimum scholarship standards and criteria for promotion from associate professor to professor to the SONHI Community for approval
- Propose SONHI minimum scholarship standards and criteria for periodic review of tenured faculty and professors to professor to the SONHI Community for approval
- Collaborate with staff to ensure the research, tenure, and promotion information on the SONHI Faculty & Staff Moodle page is current
- Monitor UP’s Rank and Tenure Committee and guidelines for updates, helpful resources, Q&A sessions, etc. and share information with SONHI faculty
- Support SONHI tenure-track faculty in the preparation of mid-tenure and tenure and promotion files
- Coordinate SONHI faculty Western Institute of Nursing (WIN) conference presentations.
- Assist SONHI faculty in the preparation of IRB applications
- Assist SONHI faculty in the preparation of manuscripts for publications
- Assist SONHI faculty in the preparation of conference abstracts
Goal #3: Support SONHI faculty endeavors to secure grant funding.
Action Steps:
- Assist SONHI faculty with internal grant opportunities (e.g. Butine, Ignite)
- Assist SONHI faculty with external grant opportunities
Goal #4: Support the dissemination of SONHI faculty scholarly products.
Action Steps:
- Help SONHI faculty identify and submit to appropriate journals
- Encourage SONHI faculty to submit announcements about publications and presentations to UPBeat
- Encourage SONHI faculty submit their scholarly activity to the University’s Scholarly Activity Portal
Goal #5: Support SONHI student research and scholarship.
Action Steps:
- Monitor the Provost’s Initiative for Undergraduate Research (PIUR) application deadlines for 2023-24 and share information with BSN and IHW faculty and students
- Provide support to SONHI faculty and BSN and IHW students who are interested and/or engaged in the PIUR
- Provide support to SONHI faculty and BSN and IHW students related to the University’s undergraduate research protocol and policies
- Monitor the deadlines and encourage the submission of nominations for the annual undergraduate research awards for SONHI faculty and graduating BSN and IHW students
- Serve as the SONHI liaison and coordinator for the Honor’s Program
- Ensure Honors Program guidelines and memos from the Honors Program Director are reviewed and saved on the U drive
- Ensure proposals for junior and senior Honors courses in the BSN and IHW programs are submitted, approved, and saved on the U drive
- Collaborate with SONHI staff to ensure the Honors student tracking database is up-to-date and the correct Honors courses are on the University course schedule
- Provide support to BSN and IHW Honors course faculty and students
- Provide faculty, staff, and student with support related to the offering of BSN and IHW student research electives
- Promote DNP student participation in the NONPF and NPO conferences
Goal #6: Support and coordinate undergraduate student research and scholarship events.
Action Steps:
- Collaborate with SONHI staff to coordinate Founder’s Day
- Ensure the SONHI Community (faculty, staff, and students) receives timely information about Founder’s Day
- Support additional undergraduate student research and scholarship events as requested
