Nursing
September 8, 2017
Joanne Olsen, director of master’s programs in the School of Nursing, has held many positions in her nursing career. With experience in nursing, leadership, and hospital administration, Olsen is committed to producing insightful nurses through the School of Nursing master’s programs.
“Before coming to UP, I had been exposed to University of Portland nursing students in the industry side of healthcare,” Olsen said. “I was inspired by the values-driven students who were clear on the importance of social justice, patient perspective, and patient safety.”
Prior to coming to The Bluff, Olsen was a healthcare consultant and executive. Olsen has previously been a registered nurse, a hospital administrator, as well as a teacher and researcher. Her primary area of interest includes leadership, managing complex organizations, and performance improvement. Olsen currently serves on the hospital governing board for Renown Health Systems in Reno, Nevada.
At UP, Olsen is overseeing the two new graduate programs: the master’s program in innovation in health systems and the master’s program in quality & safety in health systems.
“There is a call to action for us to be a solution to the current problem of retiring leadership as well as vacant leadership roles in nursing,” Olsen said. “We have a duty, responsibility, and calling to produce healthcare providers in leading quality and safety.”
The master’s programs offer interdisciplinary educational models for nurses and healthcare professionals. The master’s program in innovation in health systems was designed specifically for practicing nurses who aspire to be leaders in nursing practice and healthcare systems. The master’s program in quality & safety in health systems is targeted to professionals who want to become leaders in improving the safety and quality of healthcare.
“What sets UP apart is the individualized plan of care,” Olsen said. “The faculty is focused on student success, experiences, and personal growth needs.”
Olsen, along with the faculty in the School of Nursing, are looking to collaborate with the University’s Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. Through partnerships and collaborative opportunities, the faculty aims to bring more innovation studies to the nursing curriculum.
“One of the goals of the School of Nursing and the UP administration is to solve global problems with interdisciplinary thought,” Olsen said. “With innovation, we can work together as a University to solve healthcare issues.”
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