Team players who remain independent thinkers, persistent scientists who follow the evidence, dedicated caregivers whose research makes a difference in people’s lives… those are the qualities to which doctoral students of nursing, their mentors and college administrator should aspire.

If a group of high school students recently visiting URI’s College of Nursing is any indication, the future of nursing is bright, motivated and diverse.

Step onto the third floor of The Miriam Hospital in Providence and you will notice busy health professionals engaged in the art and science of patient care. However, you likely wouldn’t notice what else is taking place: real-world education of future nurses.

Architect, U.S. Navy officer, deep sea diver, college professor, nurse practitioner … While this might sound like a list of job titles for several individuals, David Davis, who receives his doctorate of nursing practice from the University of Rhode Island’s College of Nursing in May, has successfully pursued all these careers.

As I look back on my first months as dean of the College of Nursing and look ahead to 2017, one word repeatedly comes to mind: opportunity.

The 20 registered nurses receiving bachelor’s degrees in nursing from the University of Rhode Island Dec. 17 are pioneers of a sort. They are the first graduates of the College of Nursing’s online RN to BS program, the only one in the state offered by a public university.

The College congratulates nurses Angelita Hensman and Pamela McCue, who are pursuing their doctorates at the College through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program.

Beginning with the current academic year, we are privileged to welcome several new faculty members. Each brings impressive credentials, a strong commitment to nursing education and a desire to inspire our students to make a difference in health care.

The College hosted a Nursing Diversity Day during the University’s 20th Annual Diversity Week in September.