ASU Nursing Professor Named Among 100 Inspiration to Watch This Year

Dr. Kathryn E. Artnak of the Angelo State University nursing faculty has been named to the list of “100 Inspiring Nursing Professors to Watch in 2014”, posted by the OnlineLPNtoRN.org career advancement website for licensed professional nurses.

According to the website, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that more than 526,000 new nursing jobs will need to be filled between 2012-22, and as the need for more nurses increases, so does the need for skilled nurse educators.  The “100 Inspiring Nursing Professors to Watch in 2014” list was formulated to honor 100 dedicated nurse educators who have succeeded in carving out a place for themselves in the changing nursing landscape.

“We think notable experience and continued success as a nursing educator make Kathryn Artnak an excellent role model for nursing students,” said Meredith Neally, editor of OnlineLPNtoRN.org.  “Additionally, we hope that highlighting the accomplishments of educators at some of the top schools in the country motivates our readers to learn more about them.”

An ASU faculty member since 1995, Artnak teaches courses in theory and health policy and ethics for advanced nursing practice in the online Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree program.  From her office in ASU’s Center for Community Wellness, Engagement and Development (WED Center), Artnak also conducts research on end-of-life care and chronic illness for the CareGiver Research Institute.  Last summer, she led a group of graduate nursing students on ASU’s first-ever study abroad trip to Africa.

“It is a tremendous honor to be named to this list – and totally unexpected!” Artnak said.  “I am particularly humbled by the presence of other national nurse leaders similarly named who I look to often for inspiration and expertise, whether the context is clinical or academic.”

Artnak’s previous nursing experience includes a stint in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War and implementing nursing clinical education programs at Shannon Medical Center.  She maintains a practice at Shannon Medical Center as a clinical ethics consultant and chairs the Hospital Ethics Committee.

Licensed as a registered nurse (RN), clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and certified nurse educator (CNE), Artnak holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ball State University, a Master of Arts from Loyola University, a Master of Science in Nursing from Catholic University of America and a doctoral degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center.

More information on the “100 Inspiring Nursing Professors to Watch in 2014” list is available at http://onlinelpntorn.org/inspiring-nursing-professors/.