Jan Nick, PhD, RNC-OB, CNE, ANEF – a proud graduate of the MSN program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing – received this year’s prestigious Lillian Wald Humanitarian Award from the National League for Nursing. Dr. Nick received her Master of Science in Nursing from OU in 1988 and went on to achieve her PhD at Texas Woman’s University.
Today, Dr. Nick is a Professor at the Loma Linda University School of Nursing in Loma Linda, California. She is a global leader in the field of nursing and has a particular interest in spreading Evidence Based Practice to schools and colleges of nursing internationally. This work has led her to visit nursing education programs in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Colombia, Paraguay, Argentina, Cameroon, and India – along with numerous other locations. She has also participated in health policy analysis in Geneva, Switzerland.
Dr. Nick’s illustrious career has included a Fulbright appointment, numerous published works and presentations, and leadership on the world stage. Her commitment to bringing equity to nursing schools around the world – particularly in terms of access to resources and evidence – led to her receiving this year’s Lillian Wald Humanitarian Award. Named for the founder and first president of the National Organization for Public Health Nursing, this is a prestigious honor.
For new nurses and nursing students, Dr. Nick notes that professionals can create the experiences they want within their own careers – “there are numerous opportunities to work and learn globally, if one is willing to invest in seeking them out.” “Global experiences,” she says, “promote an embrace and promotion of diversity critical to the field of nursing – along with increased cultural awareness and understanding.”
Jan notes that she worked full time while seeking her MSN degree at OU – and that she thoroughly enjoyed the process, which provided an excellent foundation for her doctoral studies. The OU College of Nursing is proud to count Dr. Nick as one of our 11,000 alumni. Her career represents the type of compassionate leadership so characteristic of OU nurses.