The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) announced the 2023 Dr. Peg E. Daw Nurse Faculty Annual Recognition Awards (NFAR), recognizing faculty for their contributions to nursing education and service to Maryland nursing students.
Each of the award recipients is nominated by their Dean or Director of Nursing and receives $10,000. Learn more about the award at the Nurse Support II website.
Dr. Sharon Wilks, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Undergraduate Program Coordinator at Bowie State University, was an NFAR recipient for 2023. Dr. Wilks shared some thoughts with us on her experience as a nurse educator below:
What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your career as an educator?
"It was an honor to have received the Nurse Faculty Recognition Award in Engagement in the Nursing Program and Employing Institution.
I have been an academic nurse educator for over 12 years. One of my passions in nursing education is to engage in activities that facilitate student success and support faculty, especially new faculty.
As Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Nursing at Bowie State University (BSU), I am afforded the opportunity to serve, not only in the Department of Nursing, but also across the university.
Some of my contributions to the Department of Nursing include serving as Chair of the Curriculum Revision Committee in the recent revision of the baccalaureate curriculum. Also, in a partnership with NLN and Johnson and Johnson, I serve as the lead faculty for the NLN Coaching for Excellence Course for faculty. I also serve as lead faculty for the NLN/J&J program that promotes students transitioning and entering practice. Additionally, I was Co-Chair of the ACEN Accreditation Preparation Committee and am currently Chair of the Student Success subcommittee on the Department of Nursing Strategic Plan initiative.
On the university level, I recently served for two consecutive years as Faculty Assessment Fellow, where I was a resource for assessment coordinators across the university.
I also served as a research mentor for student researchers in the university's Semester and Summer Undergraduate Research Institute, where students presented their work locally and internationally. I have also represented BSU by presenting my research at the Maryland Nurses Association (MNA) convention, and am currently in my second term as Chair of the MNA Convention Committee."
What is the most important thing you've learned in your career as an educator?
"The most important thing I have learned in my career as a nurse educator is to be approachable and humble.
I have found that more students seek assistance with questions or needing clarification when they feel they can talk with me, without judgement.
Those actions provide the opportunity to listen to them and provide needed guidance on how to be successful in the nursing program."
What advice would you offer to those interested in becoming an educator?
First thing, share that desire with a faculty member you are comfortable with, whom you may consider a role model.
You may ask if they are willing to mentor you. Ask to engage in research projects with them. Engaging in research could be a motivator for pursuing graduate studies.
Also, ask them to share with you the benefits of the nurse educator role, and about attending conferences that will provide networking with fellow nurse educators."
What is your proudest accomplishment as an educator?
"When I received my PhD in Nursing Education. I felt proud because I knew that accomplishment was not only for me. I saw it as an example to my students of what they can accomplish as well.
In my classes, I discuss the nursing faculty shortage as well as the benefit of engaging in research, with support from a nurse educator. Just this spring semester, after discussing in my class the benefit of engaging in research, two learners approached me after class expressing a desire to participate in the university’s Summer Undergraduate Research Institute. That was encouraging because I know the research experience could engender an interest in graduate studies, as well as an opportunity to encourage students to consider pursuing nursing education."
Thank you to Dr. Wilks for your continued contributions to nursing education in Maryland and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Stay tuned for the next spotlight! You can find the full list of 2023 awardees here:
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