Nursing Education Concept by Suzanne Van Ort Who is Suzanne Van Ort?
Dr. Suzanne Van Ort is a distinguished figure in the field of nursing education, recognized for her extensive contributions to the development of nursing as an academic discipline. Her academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona, followed by a master’s degree in nursing from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a PhD in education from the University of Arizona. Throughout her career, Dr. Van Ort has served the College of Nursing at the University of Arizona, initially as a faculty member and eventually as Dean, where she played a critical role in shaping the direction of nursing education.
Dr. Van Ort is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the Great Britain Royal Society of Health. Her dedication to nursing education has been recognized through various honors and awards, including the Sigma Theta Tau Elizabeth Russell Belford Founder’s Award for Excellence in Nursing Education. In recognition of her impact, her colleagues at the University of Arizona established the Suzanne Van Ort Peer Teaching Award, which is bestowed annually at the College of Nursing. Dr. Van Ort has authored numerous publications focused on the scholarship of teaching, particularly within baccalaureate and higher degree education in nursing. She has also presented scholarly papers and conducted workshops on nursing education both nationally and internationally.
Professional Introduction
Dr. Van Ort’s professional journey is characterized by a profound connection to her students, which she considers one of her greatest joys in a long and fulfilling teaching career. Although her work has been primarily based at the University of Arizona, her influence extends throughout the United States and beyond. Over the years, she has served as a faculty member and mentor to hundreds of students, helping shape the future of nursing through her dedication to education and mentorship.
Interest in Teaching
Dr. Van Ort’s interest in teaching and nursing began in her youth, deeply rooted in a family that valued learning. Her parents encouraged a love for education from an early age, often engaging in conversations that prompted curiosity and a desire to learn. For instance, dinner conversations often revolved around questions like, “Let’s look that up in the dictionary,” or “Let’s go find that out.” This culture of learning fostered an early passion for teaching and knowledge-sharing that would later define her professional career.
During her undergraduate studies in a baccalaureate nursing program in the late 1950s, situated within the College of Liberal Arts, Dr. Van Ort experienced an education that combined liberal arts and sciences as foundational to nursing. This program exposed her to excellent teaching, reinforcing her early interest in the profession. As a student, she began teaching patients and learning from expert educators, laying the groundwork for her future career as a nurse educator. After completing her baccalaureate program, she joined the Navy Nurse Corps, where she had the opportunity to teach hospital corpsmen, further solidifying her interest in teaching.
Willingness for Teaching
Dr. Van Ort’s enthusiasm for teaching was further nurtured during her time at UCLA, where she pursued her master’s degree under the guidance of Dean Lulu Wolf Hassenplug. Dean Hassenplug was a staunch advocate for nursing education and good teaching practices, and her influence reinforced Dr. Van Ort’s commitment to a career in nursing education. These experiences laid the foundation for a more formal emphasis on teaching and the nurse educator role.
Dr. Van Ort was at the forefront of nursing education during a period of significant change. She was the first graduate in higher education from the University of Arizona, a program that evolved under the leadership of experts brought in to develop the curriculum. Her doctoral work focused on effective teaching practices, specifically examining the history and evolution of curricula in state colleges and universities across the country. Her dissertation was guided by Dr. Fred Harcleroad, who played a pivotal role in developing the higher education doctoral program at the University of Arizona. Her research evolved from this mentorship and her mentor’s interest in curriculum development.
Training for Teaching
Dr. Van Ort was mentored in a variety of informal ways, long before formal mentorship programs became standard. Reflecting on her early mentoring experiences, she attributes her growth as an educator to learning from those who valued teaching excellence. Her initial mentoring began during her baccalaureate studies under the guidance of Dean Pearl Parvin Coulter and Dr. Gladys Sorensen, who believed that nursing faculty should strive to be good teachers. These early mentors instilled in her the belief that effective teaching is fundamental to the nursing profession.
Later, during her master’s and doctoral programs, Dr. Van Ort continued to benefit from informal mentorship. Faculty members worked closely with her on presenting and teaching, providing her with valuable opportunities to refine her skills. Over the years, she also learned from a wide range of colleagues, each contributing to her development as a nurse educator. Her approach to teaching has been shaped by these experiences, blending formal education with the wisdom and insights gained through informal mentorship.
Development as a Teacher
As a new nurse educator, Dr. Van Ort initially focused on covering the necessary content for the baccalaureate program. However, over time, her teaching philosophy evolved to strike a balance between “covering” content and “uncovering” knowledge. She began to prioritize discovery and critical thinking, encouraging students to explore new ideas and perspectives. This shift in focus represented a significant evolution in her teaching approach, emphasizing creativity and the importance of providing opportunities for students to learn and grow.
Dr. Van Ort believes that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge but also about fostering an environment where students feel empowered to explore new concepts and ideas. This approach involves a shift from merely delivering content to creating opportunities for discovery and deeper understanding. Her teaching style reflects a commitment to both covering essential material and encouraging students to uncover new knowledge through inquiry and exploration.
Throughout her career, Dr. Van Ort has embraced a more creative and student-centered approach to teaching. She has focused on opening doors to new ways of thinking and learning, providing students with the tools and incentives they need to succeed. Her evolution as an educator has been marked by a continuous commitment to learning alongside her students, sharing in the excitement of discovery, and fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Rewarding Aspects
Dr. Van Ort describes her career as exciting and fulfilling, with her enthusiasm for teaching continuing to this day. One of the most rewarding periods in her career was when she taught master’s students in nursing education while simultaneously teaching baccalaureate students about nursing issues and research. Balancing the different learning needs of these two groups challenged her to think creatively and develop innovative teaching strategies that catered to diverse student populations.
For Dr. Van Ort, the greatest satisfaction comes from learning alongside her students and believing that she has made a difference in their lives. She takes pride in the knowledge that her influence extends beyond the classroom, as her students go on to impact others in their professional roles. This sense of fulfillment is what drives her continued commitment to teaching and her belief in the transformative power of education.
Least Rewarding Aspects
While Dr. Van Ort has found great joy in her career, she also acknowledges the challenges she faced, particularly when balancing administrative responsibilities with her passion for teaching. During her time as an administrator, she chose to continue teaching, believing that this connection to students was essential for effective leadership. However, the demands of administration often made it difficult to devote her full attention to teaching, resulting in a sense of frustration.
Dr. Van Ort believes that one of the dangers of administration is becoming too removed from the actual learning environment. She emphasizes that administrators who remain actively engaged in teaching are better equipped to understand and address the concerns of both faculty and students. Despite the challenges, she is proud of her commitment to both roles and believes that her dual responsibilities as an administrator and educator made her more effective in both capacities.
Maintaining Excellence
Maintaining excellence in nursing education requires a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Dr. Van Ort stresses the importance of staying current with the literature, being an avid reader, and remaining computer literate. She believes that it is essential to keep up with developments in both the substantive field of nursing and in higher education and teaching methodologies.
Dr. Van Ort continues to learn from colleagues and values the opportunity to exchange ideas and insights with others. She recalls the early days of computer-assisted instruction and how some colleagues were initially hesitant to embrace this new technology. However, she saw the value in learning from others and experimenting with new methods, which ultimately led to growth and innovation in her teaching practice.
Advice for Teachers
For Dr. Van Ort, the prospect of influencing a new generation of educators is both exciting and inspiring. Her advice to new teachers is to remain enthusiastic about teaching, as enthusiasm is contagious and can greatly impact student engagement and learning outcomes. She encourages educators to be prepared, to understand their subject matter deeply, and to think carefully about how to teach in ways that achieve desired outcomes.
Dr. Van Ort emphasizes the importance of being open to learning, listening to students, and learning alongside them. She believes that an effective teacher creates opportunities for learning, enhances the ability to learn, and fosters the incentive to learn. These qualities, she suggests, are essential for new nurse educators to succeed in their roles.
Teaching, according to Dr. Van Ort, is more than just covering the content. It is about opening doors, engaging with students, and maintaining a passion for both teaching and learning. She encourages educators to be open to new ideas, to challenge the status quo, and to remain committed to excellence in their teaching practice.
Conclusion
Dr. Suzanne Van Ort’s contributions to nursing education have had a profound impact on the field, shaping the future of nursing and inspiring countless students and colleagues. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to teaching, a passion for learning, and a dedication to fostering an environment where students are encouraged to explore, discover, and grow. Through her innovative teaching practices, her emphasis on mentorship, and her unwavering commitment to excellence, Dr. Van Ort has left an indelible mark on the field of nursing education.