Bainbridge College
Dickenson Named Nursing Ambassador
By Marcía O. McRae Communications Director for BC
May 6, 2008, 19:13

A member of the Bainbridge College nursing faculty has been appointed by the National League for Nursing (NLN) to serve as an NLN Ambassador.

Sheree Dickenson

Assistant Professor Sheree Dickenson, faculty member of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, was appointed in April. A registered nurse, she earned her master of science degree in nursing in adult health/education from Valdosta State University and is a certified diabetes educator. She did undergraduate work at Georgia Southwestern State University, earning her ADN and a bachelor’s of science in nursing.

 “As a participant in this elite corps, Ms. Dickenson will help keep faculty and administration informed about the NLN’s initiatives, grant opportunities, conferences, publications, workshops, and other benefits available to NLN members,” said Faith Garrett, who is director of BC’s ADN program.

 “We created this selective program to make it as easy as possible for nurse faculty and nursing programs at all levels of academia to understand what the NLN has to offer to enhance professional development and status,” said Dr. Beverly Malone, NLN chief executive officer. “At the same time, we expect the Ambassadors to communicate to NLN professional staff and the board what issues and challenges are of greatest concern to nurse educators in the field so that we can maximize the effectiveness of our programming and services. The Ambassadors are, in effect, the NLN’s ‘eyes and ears’ on campus.”

It is anticipated that, like all NLN Ambassadors, Ms. Dickenson will encourage colleagues at BC’s ADN Program to participate in NLN professional development programs, apply for research grants, submit abstracts for the annual Education Summit and manuscripts to the NLN's peer-reviewed journal, Nursing Education Perspectives, volunteer for task groups and special committees, run for elected office, nominate colleagues for awards and complete research surveys.

She will be prepared to answer questions other faculty or administrators have about NLN or refer them when necessary to the appropriate NLN staff person.

The NLN Ambassador Program was established in 2006 with 126 members who teach in all types of nursing programs –  practical nurse, associate degree, diploma, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral. There are 689 ambassadors representing schools of nursing in 48 states. New ones are appointed periodically to meet the goal of having at least one NLN Ambassador in every school of nursing.

"We are confident that the insights gained through this valuable relationship will help make the NLN more responsive to the needs of our dedicated nurse educators," said Dr. Malone.