Strategic Plan
Charting Futures: A strategic plan for nursing education
Guiding the work of the school through 2029, Charting Futures: A Strategic Plan for Nursing Education serves as a roadmap for the VCU School of Nursing to fulfill its mission in championing health and well-being and advance its vision in becoming the institution of choice for those seeking to lead the transformation of health care.
Mission
We champion health and well-being through the power of nursing education, discovery and practice.
Vision
We will be the institution of choice for those seeking to lead the transformation of health care.
Values
- Curiosity
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Inclusion
- Collaboration
Promise
Leading change. Advancing science. Impacting lives.
Pillars
Charting Futures: A Strategic Plan for Nursing Education integrates education, research and scholarship, and practice as pillars to support leadership, innovation and high-quality student experiences within an academic health science center. These pillars are central to our work and embedded within each of the strategic themes. The work of the school, our service, underlies all of these pillars.
Education
Provide transformative learning experiences that develop exceptional nursing professionals well-prepared to influence health care.
Research
Develop and conduct innovative research and scholarship that leads to new discoveries that advance health care delivery.
Practice
Develop and advance models of care to provide equitable health care and wellbeing.
Drivers
The strategic drivers provide a strong organizational foundation to advance our service within a supportive environment. Strategic drivers create a platform for the execution of our themes.
Organizational Culture
Embrace our core values and a commitment to health and wellbeing so that students, staff and faculty can thrive.
Organizational Effectiveness and Capacity
Be adaptive and nimble embracing change and continuous improvement.
Financial Sustainability
Grow resources and optimize an economic model to support the mission and vision of the School of Nursing.
Engagement and Visibility
Cultivate a national reputation to facilitate the success of the school, university and profession.
Themes
Themes guide our path to the future and represent unique attributes that set us apart. Themes identify strategic focus areas with related objectives that will be achieved through targeted strategies. Outcomes will be measured with metrics and progress towards goal attainment that will be communicated.
Developing Nursing Workforce
Prepare current and future nurses to thrive and transform health care.
Objectives
- Design and implement a competency-based model for nursing education in alignment with the 2021 AACN Essentials
- Create clear pathways for students, faculty and staff to thrive
- Provide robust, holistic, collaborative and relevant support for student success
Advancing Health Equity
Impact health care systems by generating educational, research, scholarship and practice approaches that address persistent gaps in health and wellness.
Objectives
- Design and implement initiatives aimed at ending inequities and expanding access to health and wellbeing
- Expand and integrate a health equity perspective and an understanding of social determinants of health into everything we do
Belonging and Collaborating
Engage in inclusive and collaborative efforts to improve the VCU School of Nursing and its work.
Objectives
- Strengthen interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaborations and engagement with all stakeholder communities
- Meet students, faculty and staff where they are and provide thoughtful, strategic support to achieve shared goals
- Create a culture of belonging to attract, nurture and sustain a diverse and inclusive student body, faculty and staff
- Ensure that education, research and scholarship, and practice efforts are inclusive of the needs of diverse populations
Impacting Community
Partner with communities to improve health outcomes.
Objectives
- Create, implement, evaluate, and disseminate effective models for education, research and scholarship, and practice in our communities
- Expand nursing practice in diverse settings through strategic partnerships
- Position successful programs and partnerships for long-term sustainability
Leveraging Technology
Use innovative technology to enhance and expand education, research and scholarship and practice.
Objectives
- Promote digital literacy for students, staff and faculty
- Be open, proactive and nimble in assessing and embracing relevant new technologies