Smiling group of nursing faculty wearing regalia.

Research College of Nursing proudly celebrates Certified Nurses Day on March 19th by honoring certified nurses on faculty and within our alumni community.

The following faculty are recognized for their professionalism, leadership and commitment to excellence:

(not all pictured)

  • Margaret Bjelica, Associate Professor, DNP, ACNS-BC, CRRN
  • Rebecca Cahill, Professor DNP, RN, CPHQ, CENP
  • Jo Ellen Collette, Assistant Professor DNP, APRN-BC
  • Maithe Enriquez, Professor; Associate Dean for Graduate Education PhD, APRN, FAAN
  • Zadi Gillman, Assistant Professor DNP, FNP-BC
  • Terri Kirkland, Assistant Professor MS, RN, CNE
  • Nicole Kreimer, Assistant Professor MSN, RN, APHN-BC
  • Alexandra Lee, Assistant Professor DNP, RN, FNP-BC
  • Anne Longhibler, Assistant Professor MSN, RN, RNC-NIC
  • Jill Morsbach, Assistant Professor MSN, RN, RNC-MNN
  • Erin Newton, Assistant Professor MSN, RN, FNP-BC
  • Julia Payne, Assistant Professor MSN, RN, RNC-OB, CNE
  • Rebecca Saxton, Provost PhD, RN, CNE
  • Sarah Schlanker, Assistant Professor MSN, RN, CNOR
  • Faye Vandendaele, Assistant Professor MSN, RN, CPNP, FNP-C
  • Camille Williams, Assistant Professor DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
  • Donna Zimmerman, Assistant Professor MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE

There are many nursing certification specialties that RCoN grads may pursue after earning their degree, including, medical-surgical, pediatric, pain management, cardiac vascular, oncology, hospice, case management, emergency nursing, critical care, and many others.

We love watching alumni find their path within the range of specialized nursing care. Maryalice Williams (Accelerated BSN ’15) shared with us her journey of recently becoming a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse.

Corporate headshotHospice was Maryalice’s passion for more than 15 years, since serving as a VITAS Hospice pet therapy volunteer. She was motivated to share the hospice mission and philosophy with as many people as possible. This led to a career as a hospice marketing representative.

Finally, she made the change and earned her nursing degree at RCoN. After four years in St. Luke’s cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU), it was time to pursue her dream to be a hospice RN. She reflects on the past three years as highly rewarding and fulfilling working as a bedside RN at the Kansas City Hospice House.

Please join us in honoring RCoN faculty, alum like Maryalice, and all the Certified Nurses dedicated to excellence in nursing!