Note's from the Dean's Desk

Developing Leaders From Within

Leadership succession planning is vital to any organization. Academic institutions thrive when they are able to develop, recruit, and retain highly qualified and talented leaders. At Jefferson College of Nursing, we’re very proud of our record of helping those already on our team advance to the next level in their careers, leveraging their growing experience and expertise to the benefit of our students and organization. 

In that regard, three distinguished faculty members this month assumed important new roles within Jefferson College of Nursing: 

Susan Egger PhD, MSN, RN, has been promoted to Chair, Baccalaureate Programs for Jefferson College of Nursing’s Center City campus. A member of our faculty since 2009, Dr. Egger has extensive experience in nursing education and has served Jefferson throughout the years as a clinical adjunct, teaching faculty member and most recently, program director for the FACT-2 & Traditional BSN students at Center City. Her background, depth of knowledge, experience, and talent make her an excellent choice to lead the undergraduate faculty and ensure high-quality program deployment. 

Nicole Cavaliere, DNP, CRNP, AGACNP-BC, was named Vice Chair, Graduate Programs. Dr. Cavaliere, who earned her DNP, MSN and BSN degrees here at Jefferson, will serve under that program’s Chair, Dr. Ksenia Zukowsky. Dr. Cavaliere has established significant history as an advanced practice nurse in the Jefferson Health System and has been a faculty member of the College of Nursing since 2019. Dr. Cavaliere served as a preceptor for AGAC students and now, as a full-time faculty member, works to lay the groundwork for nursing fellowship opportunities within the health system. 

Valerie Clary-Muronda, PhD, RNC-OB, was promoted to the role of Program Director of Prelicensure Traditional and FACT-2 Year, BSN Nursing Programs, in Center City. Dr. Clary-Muronda represents Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing, as a United Nations liaison and serves on the New Jersey Board of Nursing, has extensive experience in nursing education and has served Jefferson as a full-time teaching faculty member and in various roles including Chair of the Student Affairs Committee, member of the Academic Support Team, and leader of our Delta Rho Chapter of Sigma at Jefferson! She is well-versed in the areas of curriculum, assessment, and DEI&B. 

We asked each of these outstanding nurse leaders about what has inspired them in their careers and what they see as their roles in guiding other nurses to lead.  Please take a moment to see their responses.

Susan Egger PhD, MSN, RN

At the beginning of my nursing journey, I worked with and learned from some amazing critical care nurses who continue to have a longstanding impact on my nursing journey. These nurses understood the importance of mentoring new-to-practice nurses. You never know the impact you will have on another nurse’s journey. 

Nurses are leaders in all roles, so recognize this and own it. Trust your intuition and knowledge and look for new opportunities to expand your leadership skills that are unique to you. Nursing needs new leaders to carry the profession into the future.

Nicole Cavaliere, DNP, CRNP, AGACNP-BC

As a new-to-practice nurse in my health system's nurse residency program, I was able to work with leaders outside of my traditional work setting (the inpatient floor), to analyze data and propose solutions to problems faced by nurses in the inpatient setting. This inspired me to lead!

Take every opportunity to engage in the activities that interest you. Join that task force or committee in your unit or health system. Speak up at your department meetings. Let your career aspirations be known to those who are in a position to support you.

Valerie Clary-Muronda, PhD, RNC-OB

When I entered the profession, I remember asking myself, why do most of my patients look like me, while most of the nurses caring for them do not?! I thought, if given the opportunity one day, I would like to be a part of the solution. 

It is possible to influence health outcomes at all levels in nursing. Think of the area you wish to see change, and rather than wait for that change, BE the change agent. Make a difference! Nurses are making a difference all over the world. Use your voice to do this!