70 Years of Nursing

Shaylee Stevens AS ’20, BS ’21, MPC ’22; Marketing & Communications

As the Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing celebrates its 70th anniversary, the faculty, staff and students who make up the hallmark program at Weber State University are building on the school’s legacy of care and service to continue innovating for the future.

Meeting Industry Demand

During the early 1950s, the lingering effects of World War II and the ongoing conflict in North Korea led to the most severe shortage of nurses in modern history. To combat the need for registered nurses, Weber State was selected in 1953 to host one of seven pilot associate degree nursing (ADN) programs as part of a research project led by Adelphi College in New York.

Now, 70 years later, the School of Nursing continues to meet the demands of the industry. With nine degree programs, including the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, the school produces more registered nurses than any other institution in Utah, training hundreds per year to serve in communities nationwide.

The school helped Cutter Bergman ADN ’22 transition from student to medical professional. Thanks to classes that worked around his schedule, affordable tuition and networking opportunities, his education ultimately helped him land a job after graduation. He now works at Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital, where he treats patients recovering from surgeries
and inpatient visits.

“The way Weber State’s program works, you start learning about nursing skills early on, while you’re still new to the program,” Bergman said. “As you move up through your courses, you work with community partners to practice your skills in facilities, which makes it great when it’s time for graduation because you’re already familiar with everything.”

To ensure students are prepared to meet industry demands, WSU’s nursing program adapts to student needs, with a key component being stackable credentials.

A student could potentially earn an associate’s degree, work for several years in a clinic and return later to earn a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate. This style of program gives students a variety of paths, whether they are starting with no experience, advancing their credentials from a local technical college or enhancing their career with a doctorate.

In addition to offering flexible degree paths, Weber State collaborates with multiple campuses to increase accessibility for students across the region. Courses are offered on WSU’s Ogden and Davis campuses, online and at three regional technical colleges: Bridgerland, Davis and Ogden-Weber. The flexibility, combined with innovative teaching practices, helps students enter the industry efficiently and well-prepared to help patients.

“I think the success of our programs really boils down to our faculty and staff,” said Rieneke Holman, School of Nursing chair. “We’re constantly looking at new ways to be innovative and teach our students better, whether that’s new technology or working with community partners to understand their needs. Our focus is always on preparing students to go from being a student to being a nurse.”

Focus on the Community

Beyond meeting industry needs, the School of Nursing allows students to serve the off-campus community.

From its inception, the school has invested in relationships with regional facilities and hosted outreach programs for rural areas. Today, engaging in their communities remains a primary focus for students. Their work outside the classroom helps them gain practical experience under the supervision of faculty, seasoned medical professionals and, often, alumni.

“As a student, you get to go out to all these different facilities to learn about different types of nursing and work with real patients,” Bergman said. “That experience really helps you understand the career better, and it also gives you an opportunity to practice what you’re learning in classes and hone your skills.”

While in school, Bergman gained experience working with patients in emergency room, psychiatric and nursing home settings. His experience is not uncommon, as students work in community facilities throughout the region.

Beyond the more traditional areas for nursing, WSU also focuses on lesser-known avenues, providing students with unique learning opportunities and fulfilling a community need.

“The great thing about Weber’s program is we don’t just collaborate with hospitals,” Holman said. “We have strong affiliations with other facilities too, like county jails, home health agencies and surgical centers. We try to maintain relationships with all kinds of partners.”

Holman noted that the school’s community engagement is driven by the desire to provide meaningful service to community partners while also giving students practical experience.

“As the faculty and staff in the program, we’re nurses too. So we understand both the benefits and the challenges of working in nursing facilities, which is why we want our students to have those experiences outside the classroom,” Holman said.

Faculty and staff engage with partners in the community to ensure collaborations can continue and flourish. Administrators and teachers regularly serve on local advisory boards and committees, seek and provide feedback regarding student-provider relationships, and continually seek new ways to help foster better community health. The community-centered education ensures students have an easy transition into the workforce, giving them a network of peers, mentors and potential job opportunities before they graduate.

“By the time I started my capstone project, I felt really prepared and had already made so many connections in the community,” Bergman said. “All my teachers made sure I knew what to expect outside of my classes and they were really upfront about the demands of the job.”

Healthcare for the Future

While the School of Nursing is excited to celebrate 70 years of rich history, faculty are also looking ahead to continue building on the foundation set by the early educators.

“It’s important for our students to have good opportunities and intentional learning experiences,” Holman said. “Our goal is to provide excellent nurses that can then benefit our partners and communities long into the future.”

Between teaching and tending to the needs of the school, faculty and staff are planning new programs, updating curriculum and increasing community collaborations. An occupational health nursing certificate is on the way, while a mental health nurse practitioner track is in the planning stages for the doctorate program. The school hopes to add additional specialties as the industry demands, while continuing to improve existing programs.

“The needs of the industry and the community are ever-evolving, so our focus is keeping up with the national needs and training our students for that,” Holman said. “We’re always looking for ways to innovate and improve, because we want to continue helping our students be successful while staying at the front line of community needs for the years to come.”

Celebrating Seven Decades of History

Established in 1953, Weber State’s School of Nursing served as a pioneer for two-year nursing degrees, overcoming initial industry worry about the shortened amount of time students spent in class to become one of the leading schools for nursing in the nation.

The first class consisted of 36 women, with only two dedicated faculty to serve them. Today, the school has about 950 students, 56 faculty and multiple degree options.

Thousands of alumni have gone on to successful careers. The school has trained graduates who have served overseas, assisted communities during environmental disasters, and, more recently, aided patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The school will celebrate its long history with a 70th anniversary party during the fall 2023 semester. More details will be available closer to the start of fall semester.

Jill Heiner Garrison Davis (front, center) and her classmates from the School of Nursing’s class of 1955