HPU Press Release – Having served as a teacher and administrator in faith-based educational systems for almost 20 years, Dr. Nina Ouimette, Howard Payne University’s new dean of the School of Nursing, recognizes the importance of holistic nursing care.
“This means providing for the whole person – physically, mentally and spiritually,” she said.
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Dr. Ouimette joined HPU’s faculty this summer after serving 17 years with Abilene’s Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing, most recently as dean and professor of nursing with tenure. She has additionally worked at hospitals and health care systems in Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Washington, D.C.
Her career experience and fields of specialization are broad, ranging from women’s and children’s health to nursing informatics. Dr. Ouimette holds a Doctor of Education degree in instructional technology from Texas Tech University. Her dissertation, which focused on developing and implementing online nurse education, was titled “Community of Inquiry as a Foundation for Academic Success: A Study of Social, Teaching and Cognitive Presence in Undergraduate Nursing Hybrid Courses.” Additionally, she earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Hardin-Simmons University; a Master of Science degree in child development and family relations from East Carolina University; and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from George Mason University.
As a nursing school administrator, Dr. Ouimette has experience in matters of program and curriculum development, recruitment, regulation and accreditation. At HPU, she will lead the university’s efforts in making application to the Texas Board of Nursing to offer a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Dr. Ouimette has numerous publications to her credit and her professional memberships include the Texas Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Informatics Association, the National League for Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Association of Information Technology Professionals.
Dr. W. Mark Tew, HPU’s provost and chief academic officer, said the university is pleased that Dr. Ouimette has joined the faculty.
“Dr. Ouimette has extensive experience in the areas of administration, education and nursing,” he said. “We look forward to seeing HPU’s School of Nursing advance under her leadership.”
Dr. Ouimette said she feels called by God to the nursing profession and to the education of nurses.
“I believe the nursing profession provides a platform of spreading the word of God to others while also promoting healthy living,” she said. “We try to follow the example of what Jesus did Himself – teaching, preaching and healing.”