Beyond the Bedside: A Look at Spartans in Nursing | Page 3

Letter from the Dean
It is a great honor to serve as the 9th Dean
of the MSU College of Nursing, and I deeply
appreciate the warm welcome expressed in
the many emails, cards, and personal visits
I received, and at the receptions given since
my arrival last summer.
Through my 25 years in higher education,
10 years in practice as a Family Nurse
Practitioner, 10 years as a statewide director for
nursing services in the correctional system, and
research in primary care and community health,
I have come to know that nursing is the
profession positioned to have the most
significant impact on the future of healthcare
delivery. It is my philosophy that nursing is a
practice discipline, not an academic enterprise.
As Dean, I plan to build synergy for further
achievement in scholarly activity and research
with a focus on evidence-based practice.
In this magazine, it is my pleasure to introduce
you to a few of the many Spartan Nurses who
make an extraordinary difference in individual
patient care, the healthcare delivery system,
science, education, and the future of nursing.
Spartan Nurses are extraordinary people
whose impact goes far, wide, and deep.
With honed nursing skills and clinical
experience, they have moved beyond the
bedside into advanced practice, education,
research, and leadership.
In our rapidly changing healthcare system,
Spartan Nurses are forging new ways to
improve it based on evidence-based practice
and the special relationship with patients,
colleagues, and interdisciplinary team members
that defines the “nurse.”

These talented men and women have
demonstrated perseverance and courage
to overcome challenges, both personal and
professional. Some were the first in their
family to go to college. Some were inspired to
become a nurse by family members or an early
experience of nursing care. Some felt a calling
to help the underserved. Others recognize
that nursing is where science and caring meet
and are motivated to use new knowledge to
improve health in their communities.
Our alumni cite many reasons for choosing MSU.
Some were drawn by the College’s commitment
to community health and underserved
populations. Others wanted to study with
national leaders in nursing research. Some
needed online programs that allowed
them to work while pursuing higher education.
And many shared that their blood runs “green.”
Spartan Nurses speak of the values their
education has instilled in them as patient
caregivers, educators, and advocates;
as collaborative interdisciplinary healthcare
team members and leaders; as leaders in science
and research; and nurses committed to the
vulnerable and underserved.
This is what we do and who we are at the
MSU College of Nursing.
I hope you are inspired, as I am, by these
extraordinary Spartan Nurses.
Sincerely,

Randolph F. R. Rasch, PhD, RN, FAANP

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NURSING • NURSING.MSU.EDU

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