On Sept. 25, the IUSON at IUPUI received the Women & Hi Tech Leading Light Award for its work in promoting the use of technology in developing instructional learning products, distance-accessible education, new models of interactive learning and use of information technology in patient care. The school was recognized in the category of “Distinguished Individual or Organization Dedicated to the Mentoring and Growth of Women in Science or Technology.”

The Leading Light Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant achievements in science and technology, and have demonstrated expertise, professionalism, leadership, service, courage and tenacity in their field.

Currently, IUSON offers more than 70 online academic and continuing education courses and a distance-accessible doctoral program. As a national leader in applying information technology in nursing education, the IUSON has:

• Developed models for interactive learning that address workforce needs. IUSON, Clarian Health Partners and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses have partnered to develop an online community of learning in critical care that involves the development of Web-based courses and a Web-based repository of best practices.

• Developed instructional products to support student learning and lifelong learning for registered nurses. Enhancements include computer-assisted instruction programs to teach math skills; CD-ROMs to teach medication administration and EKG interpretation; and Web certificate programs for preparing educators to design and teach Web-based courses.

• Designed customized behavioral interventions using IT to promote positive health behavior. Faculty have created an interactive video program to assess the risk for breast cancer; a Web-based program to teach low-income women ways to manage heart failure; and a CD-ROM entitled “Escape from Nicotinia” to discourage adolescent girls from smoking.

• Delineated evidence for best practices in teaching and learning Web-based nursing courses, collaborating with two nursing schools and the TLT Group of the American Association of Higher Education to establish benchmarks for best practices in using technology in teaching.

“In an era of a shortage of nurses and nursing faculty, IT is transforming how we prepare nurses for workforce complexities,” said Diane Billings, Chancellor’s Professor of nursing and associate dean for teaching, learning and information technologies.

Sharon Farley, who is serving as interim university dean of nursing, noted that the school is harnessing information technology to educate future and current nurses while striving to improve patient care. Marion Broome, who was named dean for IUSON in April, will join the school next July, replacing Angela McBride. “IT serves as the bridge from evidence-based education to changes in patient care through interactive health monitoring and research dissemination,” Farley said.
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