October 22, 2009

Kirkpatrick appointed head of Purdue School of Nursing

Jane Kirkpatrick
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"Professor Kirkpatrick has provided excellent leadership during her service as interim this past year, and I am confident she will continue this high-quality service as she formally begins her appointment," said Craig Svensson, dean of the College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Sciences.

Kirkpatrick's five-year appointment begins Nov. 1.

An award-winning nurse educator, she is author of numerous computer-based education programs. Kirkpatrick received the Pinnacle Award in 2004 and the International Tribute Award for Computer-based Education Technology from Sigma Theta Tau International in 2005 for her collaboration on a professional education program teaching nursing care in labor and delivery. She is certified in inpatient obstetrics by National Certification Corp., and her practice expertise includes all areas of inpatient obstetrics and neonatal intensive care. Computer-based instructional programs developed by Kirkpatrick on newborn assessment are currently used in nursing schools and hospitals across the country.

Kirkpatrick received the LaNelle E. Geddes Excellence in Teaching Award, was inducted into the Purdue Teaching Academy and was named to the Purdue Book of Great Teachers, all in 2003. Kirkpatrick also received the Education Excellence Award from the Indiana section of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses in 1997.

Kirkpatrick's research focuses on the use of technology in nursing education and practice. In recognition of her scholarly contributions, she has received awards from the Midwest Nursing Research Society in 2008 and Ed-Media's World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications in 2009.

She is past co-chair of the executive council of the University Teaching Academy and also has served on several university committees related to student issues as well as the School of Nursing's student affairs and curriculum committees.

Kirkpatrick received her undergraduate degrees in nursing from Purdue, earned her master's degree from Indiana University and completed her doctorate in educational technology at Purdue. She has been on Purdue's faculty since 1981.

Julie Novak, who is now the associate dean for practices and clinical director at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, stepped down as head and associate dean in 2008.

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Sources:   Craig Svensson, 765-494-1368, svensson@purdue.edu

Jane Kirkpatrick, 765-494-4018, jmkirk@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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