UWM School of Nursing

What can you do with a nursing degree? More than you might think. 💡🩺

After graduating from UWM with her Doctor of Nursing Practice in May 2026, alumna Katie Crawford is preparing to begin her career as a family nurse practitioner; but that's not the only way she's putting her nursing knowledge to work.

When she couldn't find stethoscope-shaped bookends for her medical books, she decided to make them herself. What started as a simple sketch became a real product through UWM's I-Corps program, a collaboration with a classmate and help from PartsBadger in Cedarburg.

Her advice to current nursing students? "Don't feel like your nursing degree limits you; it expands what you're capable of."

Nursing opens doors to patient care, research, education, leadership, entrepreneurship and so much more. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple idea and the willingness to take the first step.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Alumni Association

UWM DNP Alum Turns Nursing Inspiration Into a One-of-a-Kind Bookend For Katie Crawford, the idea for a new product began with a simple search for something she couldn't find: a stethoscope bookend.

Last Friday, Dr. Jennifer Doering brought together our program directors to attend the Wisconsin Center for Nursing Annual Nursing Workforce Summit.

The summit brought together nurse clinicians, leaders, educators, healthcare partners, and policymakers to examine current data and discuss actionable, innovative solutions to the challenges facing Wisconsin’s nursing workforce.

We’re proud of our School of Nursing leadership for engaging in these important conversations and working together to help shape the future of nursing education and the nursing workforce in Wisconsin. 🩺

As Wisconsin works to address the nursing workforce shortage, expanding pathways to educate the next generation of nurses is more important than ever.

We're proud to see Dr. Jennifer Doering, Head of our School of Nursing, featured by Wisconsin Public Radio discussing a new emergency rule that allows qualified registered nurses with bachelor's degrees to teach clinical nursing courses while pursuing additional qualifications. As Dr. Doering notes, the change can help expand clinical education capacity while maintaining high standards for nursing education.

Read the story to learn more about how this change could help strengthen Wisconsin's nursing workforce.

Qualified nurses with 4-year degrees can now teach college-level clinical courses Leaders of Wisconsin nursing schools are optimistic a new emergency rule allowing RNs with bachelor's degrees to teach hands-on courses will help ease a faculty shortage.

Great nurses are prepared through great partnerships. Our collaboration with Advocate Aurora Health creates meaningful opportunities for nursing students through clinical education, mentorship, and hands-on learning. Together, we're strengthening the nursing workforce and improving healthcare for communities across Wisconsin.

As part of this partnership, eligible Advocate Health team members can also take advantage of tuition savings through InStride, making it easier to advance their nursing education while continuing to grow their careers. 💙

Read more and get started below:

Advocate Aurora Health and InStride UWM is proud to partner with Advocate Aurora Health and EdAssist to offer quality educational programs at an affordable tuition rate.

The UWM School of Nursing mourns the passing of Dr. Barbara Nichols, a trailblazer whose leadership and service transformed the nursing profession.

Dr. Nichols served as a clinical associate professor at the UWM School of Nursing and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from UWM in 1979. Throughout her distinguished career, she championed nurses and patients through policy leadership, advocacy for improved working conditions, and service at the state, national, and international levels. Her influence extended from shaping healthcare policy and professional regulation to leading organizations that strengthened the nursing workforce in Wisconsin and around the world. Over the course of more than 50 years, Dr. Nichols received more than 40 awards and honors in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to nursing and healthcare.

Her commitment to equity, diplomacy, and excellence leaves a lasting legacy that continues to inspire generations of nurses and nurse leaders.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Nichols' family, friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her. Her impact on nursing will not be forgotten.

Read and listen more about Dr. Nichols on our Center for Nursing History page under "individuals:" https://uwm.edu/nursing/centers-institutes/nursing-history/ -2gem-individuals

Congratulations to UWM School of Nursing Assistant Professor Linda Wesp on being named a recipient of the 2026 Office of Research/UWM Foundation Research Award! 🎉

This prestigious award recognizes UWM faculty who have demonstrated exceptional promise through scholarship, creative activity, and the advancement of knowledge.

Professor Wesp's research is advancing health equity for LGBTQIA+ communities through innovative nursing scholarship, community-engaged research, and evidence-based care. Her work continues to make a meaningful impact both locally and nationally, and this recognition is a testament to her dedication to improving health outcomes for underserved populations.

Please join us in congratulating Professor Wesp on this well-deserved honor!

🔗 Read more below:

Professor Linda Wesp Receives 2026 Office of Research/UWM Foundation Research Award The School of Nursing is proud to congratulate Assistant Professor Linda Wesp on being selected as a recipient of the 2026 Office of Research/UWM Foundation Research Award.

We're proud to highlight Linda Wesp, who recently attended the Nursing Innovation Collective Symposium in Washington, D.C.

The symposium brought together recipients of the Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation's Emerging Innovation Grants, Hillman Scholars, and Betty Irene Moore Fellows for a two-day workshop focused on strategic communication for nurse changemakers. Participants explored ways to advance health, counter misinformation, build public trust, and strengthen leadership in nursing innovation.

The Nursing Innovation Collective continues to foster collaboration, networking, and leadership development for nurses driving meaningful change in healthcare. Congratulations to Professor Wesp on being part of this inspiring community of nurse innovators!

Future healthcare professionals in the making! 🩺✨

We loved welcoming students from the Children's Learning Center to our Clinical Simulation Center as part of Community Tuesday! Children ages 5–12 explored the world of healthcare through hands-on activities in nursing, speech-language pathology, physical therapy, and diagnostic imaging. From learning about IV fluids and wound care to examining X-rays, it was a fun day of discovery, curiosity, and inspiration.

This marks the second year the College of Health Professions & Sciences has participated in Community Tuesday, and we can't wait to welcome our next group of future healthcare heroes!

Congratulations to our nursing student-athletes who were named to the UWM Spring Academic Honor Roll! 🎉📚🏅

Balancing the demands of nursing school with collegiate athletics requires dedication, discipline, and perseverance. We are incredibly proud of these students for their commitment to excellence both in the classroom and in competition.

Your hard work continues to exemplify what it means to be a Panther. Keep raising the bar, we're cheering you on every step of the way!

Milwaukee Places 138 Student-Athletes On Spring Academic Honor Roll - Milwaukee Athletics MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Athletic Department placed 138 student-athletes on the 2026 Horizon League Spring Academic Honor Roll, announced Wednesday by the conference office.

Congratulations to Dr. Sandra Iregbu, Assistant Professor, on being selected as a 2026 Health Disparities Research Institute (HDRI) Scholar! 🎉

Hosted by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, this highly competitive program supports early-career researchers committed to advancing health disparities research and improving health outcomes for underserved populations.

We are proud to celebrate this outstanding achievement and look forward to the continued impact of Sandra's research and scholarship!