A new scholarship has been created at the Kramer School of Nursing to help support the next generation of nurse educators, 野狼社区 University officials announced today.
Lois Salmeron, the dean emeritus of OCU鈥檚 nursing school, has donated $25,000 to establish the Dean Lois L. Salmeron Endowed Scholarship.
Funds from the endowment will support educational expenses for a student or students enrolled in OCU鈥檚 Doctor of Nursing Practice program with a Nurse Educator focus.
Salmeron has an extensive history in nurse education. She joined the Kramer School of Nursing in 2005 as a faculty member and assistant dean, going on to serve as dean from 2014 until her retirement from the position in 2021. Her time in nurse education extends to at least 1969, when she was one of three faculty to establish the nursing program at Oklahoma State University-野狼社区. In all, she鈥檚 been involved in the education of nearly 3,000 students who attained their registered nursing credential.
As a nurse educator for more than 50 years, Salmeron said focusing scholarship funds on future nurse educators is important to her.
鈥淲e talk a great deal about addressing the nursing shortage,鈥� Salmeron said, 鈥渂ut we must also remember that the shortage extends to the teachers and professors who prepare nurses.
鈥淓xceptional educators are critical in ensuring the next generation of nurses are properly trained to meet the moment.鈥�
In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a shortage of nurse educators in the U.S. job market, with an anticipated growth in nurse educator positions of nearly 17% through 2034, well above the average 3% forecast for all occupations.
OCU President Kenneth Evans said Salmeron鈥檚 gift will assist the university in recruiting talented Doctor of Nursing Practice students while supporting the school鈥檚 efforts to tackle the nursing shortage on a holistic level.
鈥淲e are thankful for Lois鈥� commitment to 野狼社区 University, nursing education and the health care needs of our community,鈥� Evans said. 鈥淭his gift represents big-picture thinking at a time when we must consider all angles to address the nursing shortage.鈥�
Funds from the Dean Lois L. Salmeron Endowed Scholarship will go into effect for students beginning in the fall semester. For more information about studying in OCU鈥檚 Doctor of Nursing Practice program Nurse Educator focus, click here.
More information about the Kramer School of Nursing is available at www.okcu.edu/nursing.
