Student Forum

Students Matter

Student voices are essential to the ongoing dialogue for fostering civility in nursing education and beyond—and I welcome your feedback and ideas. As a teacher, I am preparing students for leadership and management roles in a variety of health care environments. As such, I am intentional about practical application and relevance of the material to nursing practice and to real life. I am an ardent advocate for civility and inclusion, and a proponent for ongoing, meaningful dialogue about this vital topic.

Boise State School of Nursing Social Networking Protocol

The purpose of the Boise State University School of Nursing Social Networking Protocol is to inform students about the appropriate use of on-line social networking sites as it relates to professional conduct expected of nursing students at Boise State University. On-line social networking postings in relation to students, faculty, administrators, and future employers must be evaluated in accordance with codes of conduct and standards of professional behavior expected of nursing students. Please click here to access the protocol (PDF).

Student-to-Student Incivility Survey

While there have been studies conducted to investigate faculty-to-student, student-to-faculty, and faculty-to-faculty incivility, no known empirical studies have been conducted to measure student-to-student incivility in nursing education. Anecdotal information suggests that some students are quite uncivil to other students demonstrating behaviors such as marginalizing other students, cyberbullying, and stalking. I am conducting a study to gather nursing students' perceptions of incivility toward other students. Findings from this study will provide insight into the level and type of incivility occurring between nursing students, the impact of these behaviors, and will yield suggestions for addressing student-to-student incivility in nursing education.

NSNA Student Handout

Nursing Student Stress, Coping, Healing, and the Quest for Civility (PDF)

Student Testimonials

“When our nursing leadership class ended for the semester, there were so many students standing in line to thank you—I hope you felt the admiration that we all feel for you. Thank you doesn't say enough about how I feel about you and being exposed to your contagious and positive outlook on how nurses can and should treat each other. In the future, I hope you hear from working nurses telling you that we are representing you and the profession well. This is what your effort deserves and what we want to happen. I wish I could keep you in my back pocket; however, I know that it's time to put our nursing education to the test. You will always be with us in spirit… what a great legacy you've created!”
- Robin Callahan, BSN Class of 2012

“Dr. Clark not only speaks to the importance of civility but she demonstrates it as well. As a student of her leadership class, I always felt that my opinions were respected and my unique needs as a student were met. On one occasion, I was experiencing a hostile situation in nursing school and I was in need of her expertise and guidance. Dr. Clark rearranged her entire schedule for the day to intervene and put us back on track so we could end the semester working productively as a team. Thanks to her example and the engaging lectures, I take with me the tools needed to foster civility in the nursing profession.”
- Mollie Bales, BSN Class of 2011

“Dr. Clark's leadership course introduces students to topics that are critical to nursing such as ethical leadership, conflict negotiation, and incivility. These topics may sound tedious and dull but Dr. Clark's enthusiasm and passion are infused into her classes, making it all but impossible to not only pay attention but feel engaged and interested. Her research and experience lend credibility as a leader in nursing, allowing students to not only hear about leadership, but see it in action. This course has been an essential part of my nursing education because it has helped transform me from a skilled worker into a professional. In light of our changing health care system and the challenges the nursing profession faces, it is imperative that all nursing students get exposure to leadership topics. I feel privileged to have been taught by Dr. Clark and know that what I have learned will aid me in my nursing career.”
- Anne Delic, BSN Class of 2011

“It is not often that I say this, but I really enjoyed going to and participating in Dr. Clark’s leadership course. Every week, I would find myself eagerly anticipating the days’ activities and lessons. Being excited for class is quite the rarity given the humdrum nature of school itself. But, Dr. Clark’s class was different. She presented interesting thoughts, initiated discussion, and empowered the students. I felt a part of the lesson each week, like we were all there to help create from and build upon the knowledge presented by Dr. Clark and coinciding reading material. It was a structured, but relaxed learning environment that fostered compelling thoughts and engaging discussions. Dr. Clark gave us a rich look into the knowledge of leading by example, managing people and behaviors, the importance of civility, and what it truly means to be a great leader.”
- Jeanette Hinton, BSN Class of 2010

“I was fortunate to have Dr. Clark as my professor for both the didactic and clinical portion of the Nursing Leadership and Management courses. Each week, I looked forward to attending her class and was impressed at how Dr. Clark integrated current events into her classroom material. Dr. Clark also handled our large class size with ease—engaging and sparking conversation amongst even the most shy and hesitant students. Yet what impressed me the most was how I found myself discussing class material outside of the classroom. My fellow students and I would continue our class discourses long after class was officially dismissed. Dr. Clark engaged and involved us not only as students, but also as scholars who valued and sought out scholarly conversation.”
- Kathryn Cooperstein, BSN, BA Class of 2010

“As a member of Dr. Clark’s classroom, I always felt respected as a student, a future nurse, and a human being. I felt this respect and civility radiate from her in the teaching process, then becoming contagious to members of the class. I learned about the importance of self-empowerment, open communication, teamwork, and continual self-evaluation. I admire Dr. Clark’s ability to ask for feedback, listen, and make changes for success. This is a quality I hope to learn well and carry with me in the future. This class has been a wonderful growth experience and has changed my life. I will remember this experience always. Thank you!”
- Alina Austin, BSN Class of 2010

“Dear Dr. Clark, I cannot express in words how empowering this semester has been from a student standpoint. In the years to come I will find the skills learned in your classroom and clinical to be of benefit as I advance within my profession. This semester has been engaging, intriguing, and enlightening. I would like to personally extend a large amount of thanks for the passion and knowledge you bring to the leadership course. Thank you for all your wisdom and guidance this semester.”
- Sharon Erickson, Class of 2009

“Thank you for a great class! You created a beautiful space (online & f2f) where I felt free to explore, contemplate, and develop ideas. I don’t recall the last time I enjoyed stretching my intellect & curiosity this much. It has been a great semester—by far, the highpoint of my nursing education. What a fabulous group of nurses to learn with and from. I shall truly miss you all.”
With fondness and respect,
Robin Miller, Class of 2009

“My time spent in Dr. Clark’s classroom was unique and positive in many ways. I knew her class was different when the first order of business on the first day of class was to formally introduce ourselves and to establish classroom norms. By forming these norms together as a group instead of having the norms dictated by a syllabus, the class took collective ownership for them. Dr. Clark has a love for teaching and passion for her work. Her energy translates into a lively environment where students learn. She creates a positive classroom atmosphere through her strong personal power, high energy, and by treating students as unique individuals.”
- Chris Ilgenfritz, Class of 2009

“Dr. Clark encourages civility by multiple, purposeful means. Her teaching philosophy is learner centered where students are treated as an important part of the class and where she easily establishes a personal connection with each student. She arrives early to class and uses that time to get to know her students better. During the first class, students establish class rules that define behavior expectations. These rules create an atmosphere of trust and respect, and ultimately encourage open discussion and debate. This class was by far the most rewarding class of my college experience. Dr. Clark’s passion for civility in nursing and nursing education has shown me a different and exciting way to be a leader. If all nurse educators made civility a high priority, nurses who come into practice from nursing education would be prepared to lead change in the nursing environment where nurses often “eat their young.”
- Linda Cox, RN, BSN Class of 2009