Meet the Dean: Sheila Burke, Kaplan School of Nursing

Sheila Burke, RN, MSN is the Dean of the School of Nursing at Kaplan Higher Education (KHE) where she directs the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (which has doubled enrollments on her watch), the practical/vocational nursing education programs, and the new Master of Science in Nursing and Associate of Science in Nursing degree programs that launched in 2007. Dean Burke oversees the administration and operations of the School, serving students online and across 14 KHE campuses.

Before Kaplan School of Nursing

Ms. Burke was previously an assistant dean of faculty at Kaplan University. She's taught online and on-campus courses, and has been a health care educator in several organizations. She has more than 15 years of experience as a nursing executive, having worked in home care, hospice, and community health organizations. Ms. Burke is active in the field of health promotion and human development. She is a member of the American Holistic Nurse Association and Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing honor society.

Burke earned her Master of Science in Nursing and MBA from the University of Phoenix and her associate's degree from Triton College. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rush University's College of Nursing. She is currently enrolled in a doctoral program with an emphasis on organizational leadership and health promotion. She has completed advanced training in hospice management, palliative care, and has developed and presented professional education programs to physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals.

We recently spoke with Dean Burke about her own experience in the world of nursing and got her unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that nursing students face today.

Q: How did you choose nursing school?

A: Actually I made the decision when I was a child. I grew up in a situation where I was able to help people be more comfortable, and I found that rewarding. My father had an illness as a young man and he had a nurse. He would always talk about how well she took care of him. I was able to see firsthand how valuable a service nursing could be. Plus, I've always loved science, so it was a good fit for me.

Q: There were no online education options when you started out as a nursing student. Where did you begin?

A: I started out in nursing in 1980. I was in a situation where I needed to work so I started at a community college and I got an associate's degree. Then I went on to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing. I originally started in an on-ground program, but I had to work full-time, and I needed to travel so when I discovered the Internet--and had access to an online library--it was like an epiphany for me to have all this knowledge at my finger tips.

Online Education & Kaplan School of Nursing

Now, there's a large amount of nursing training that can be done through online nursing education. You can participate in and evaluate case studies online. There are discussion groups, and you can study many things online and then practice them in a clinical setting.

At Kaplan School of Nursing, we started an online master's degree program to allow registered nurses to go back to school and become nurse educators. If you're already out there with a job and a family, this makes it easier to continue to advance your education. Currently, we have about 200 students in our master's program.

The Ins and Outs of Nursing School

Q: What should students expect when applying to nursing school?

A: Because nursing requires that you'll be in touch with people who are vulnerable, you're required to do a criminal background check, drug tests, an interview as well as take a pre-admission test that evaluates your reading and math skills. There's a tremendous amount of reading in nursing school. And math is important when dealing with medications, so expect a rigorous program that requires good time management skills.

Prospective students should also consider the course of study that follows. In nursing school if you're just getting started, there's a standard curriculum that covers a wide range of services and topics: obstetrical care, pediatric nursing, learning about anatomy, human growth and development. You learn about helping people stay healthy, but you also learn about severe injuries and end-of-life issues.

Nursing School and Today's Economy

Q: How does our current economy affect the decision to become a nurse?

A: Recently there's been a lot of conflicting information about a nursing shortage. But the nursing shortage is still in effect--we are having a nursing crisis. Because of the economy many retired nurses have come back to work and that may have led to a false impression that there is no shortage. But we need more new nurses. We have a shortage of nursing faculty and nurse educators. It's really important today for nurses to realize that the way we were educated in the past just isn't sufficient. There is a continuing increase in complex medical needs, and it's not just among older people. The need for nursing isn't going to go away.

Q: You've been in the nursing profession for almost 30 years. How has it changed--and is there anything you would do differently now, if you were just starting out?

A: If I were a nurse today, just starting out, I'd take my education all the way to the doctoral level. With the explosion of information, and the level of knowledge needed many more nurses are considering bachelor's degrees.

The core of nursing has not changed--it is still a profession centered on the art and science of caring with compassion and respect. There has been a massive increase in the amount of knowledge necessary to be a nurse. This is related to the enormously expanded understanding of diseases, the human body and the development of many new sophisticated technologies and treatments.

There are also more regulations and expectations faced by nurses in every area. Every day there are new developments that are changing the lives of nurses--for example, global health issues, H1N1, recurrences of diseases like TB and pertussis, and the increased health issues related to obesity. We also have to be culturally sensitive in relating to an increasingly diverse population.

Choosing to Become a Nurse Today: Nursing School and Career Specializations

Today if I were starting out as a nurse, I would choose a school that would support my needs for flexibility and set a goal to achieve my doctorate from the start (I am currently enrolled in a doctoral program). I'd look for a program that is strong in academics.

If I were to choose a path focused primarily on patient care, I would become a nurse practitioner in order to have the opportunity to be directly involved in planning the care. I'd encourage all those considering nursing to take their education to the highest level they can, as it allows one to have more impact on patient care. For some nurses or potential nurses that may seem daunting, however, there are now many more advanced degree programs available for nurses and there are more rewards and roles for nurses who pursue additional education.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face related to nursing school--and the role of nurses today?

A: Helping people understand what nursing is about. One of the top concerns is that people don't understand that nursing is a profession unto itself and requires an advanced level of education. It's imperative that nurses and nurse educators keep abreast of medical advancements.

Another thing is the importance of maintaining balance. Many nursing environments have limited resources, less coverage, and this puts lots of added pressure on nurses. It's really important to take care of yourself.

Q: How did you come by this realization? Was there a time during your career when you learned this lesson the hard way? And how have you learned to take time for yourself?

A: My first nursing experience was at a large urban university-based medical center. The acuity of the patients, the intensity of the treatments, and life and death situations we faced daily were new to me. I cared deeply for my patients and worked very hard as there was a severe nursing shortage at the time. Within a few months I was becoming tired and a bit overwhelmed.

A wise and experienced nurse took me aside and talked to me about how it's essential to learn and maintain a balance between my personal and professional roles. To be the best nurse I could be and provide exceptional care would require learning how to manage my responses and take care of myself as well. She said that I could avoid burning out by learning to manage my energy and responses and still be compassionate and effective.

Nursing is a Demanding, Yet Rewarding, Profession

One approach I've used to manage living in high stress and emotionally demanding situations, is to have time daily for brief meditation, which usually includes reading a piece of inspirational literature and reflecting. I also have developed some healthy habits with regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and regular contact with loved ones.

I learned to be a therapeutic presence without becoming despondent about some of the tragic situations some patients face. In 1999, I was a retreat volunteer for people with cancer which affirmed the importance of learning life balance. In the past few years I've practiced yoga and plan to become a yoga instructor.

Q: What's your favorite part of the job?

A: I think the idea of being in a profession that really impacts people's lives in a profound way. Nurses are motivated in this way, and it's an internal motivation that's very rewarding. Nurses find each other. You have a shared experience going through a nursing program. If there's a gathering, you'll find other nurses and talk about things, shared experiences.

Also, nursing is continually evolving as a profession. You can take your work anywhere in the world, and work with any population--for example, babies, elderly people, or people overcoming the devastating effects of a stroke and give them dignity and purpose.

It's wonderful work.

I've been a nurse for 30 years and it's been so rewarding. It's challenging but there's continual learning and human courage. Being a nurse really made me appreciate living in the moment and I think being a nurse after a while changes you.

You're making a change for the better.