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Ard joins elite ranks
By Heather M. Smith, Staff writer
Dr. Nell Ard, RN, CNE was recently inducted into the National League for Nursing’s Academy of Nursing Education. She is one of only 65 people inducted into the league.
“With the induction of this class, there are still less than 100 in the league across the U.S.,” Ard said. “I’m very proud of that. I received a letter notifying me. I was pleased and surprised. From a professional standing, it validates what I’ve done with my career. This was one of the best moments in my career.”
Ard now represents her fellow nursing schools and programs throughout the United States. She was chosen for her innovative teaching strategies in nursing education research. Ard said her teaching style depends upon the subject she is teaching.
Ard said she mainly teaches fundamentals of nursing or maternal child nursing, which is the obstetrics related area. Ard holds a Ph.D in nursing.
“The National League for Nursing relies on these accomplished individuals [such as Dr. Nell Ard] as allies in our efforts to prepare the numbers of excellent nurse educators we need if we are to eliminate the shortage of nurses plaguing America’s healthcare institutions,” Dr. Beverly A. Malone, NLN CEO, said. “Nurse faculty and colleagues from other fields who contribute to excellence in nursing education and the preparation of a nursing workforce that meets the needs of our ever-changing healthcare environment deserve this public recognition. This credential, born with pride, garners the gratitude of all who are eager to elevate the status of the profession.”
As a child, Ard wanted to be a nurse or teacher. She said she started out as nurse but became both.
“I love the nuturing aspect of being an educator,” Ard said.
Ard received her initial nursing degree in 1983. She has taught at Collin College since 1997 and in the summer of 2002, she became the program director. Her role is primarily as an administrator in regard to faculty and students. She is the liason to the community and a sounding board for students.
“It’s nice to pass along my knowledge and experience to the next generation of nurses,” Ard said. “I will absolutely continue teaching. I love every minute of it. I love nursing and taking care of patients, but teaching has its own rewards.”
In addition to teaching, Ard is also a volunteer at Children’s and Community Clinic of McKinney. She has volunteered at the clinic since it opened.
“My work there is extremely rewarding because without the clinic the people we serve wouldn’t have access to health care,” Ard said.
Prior to teaching at Collin College, Ard worked at hospital in Abilene, primarily in maternal childhood. She said she enjoyed the work because “no two days were alike and no two births are alike.”
“In that field, you get to see miracles on a daily basis,” Ard said.
Ard said part of the reason she was inducted into the league is because of the work she’s done at the regional and national level. That work goes above and beyond her job description.
Locally, Ard has served as a research consultant for Medical Center of Plano, worked with the Regional Nursing Deans/Directors group and has assisted in planning five summer workshops for faculty. She also serves on a committee that developed a Standard Hospital Orientation packet/quiz. That project has been used since 2005 by volunteers at the Children’s and Community Clinic of McKinney.
On the national circuit, Ard has served as an ambassador with the National League for Nursing. She has served as a member of the Nominating Committee and on several task groups. She chaired the national task group on clinical education. She is currently serving on the NLN’s public policy committee.
Ard is also a published author. She has a chapter titled “The Essentials of Learning” in “Building a Science of Nursing Education: Foundation for Evidence-based Teaching-Learning.” She also is co-editor of Clinical Nursing Education: Current Reflections, which is scheduled for release later this year.
For information about the Academy of Nursing Education visit www.nln.org/excellence/academy.
For information about Collin College’s Nursing Program visit www.ccccd.edu/nursing.
Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com
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