College of Nursing

The College of Nursing Alumni Association’s purposes are to promote and support the programs and philosophy of the UNMC College of Nursing, to maintain communication with alumni through the Advances magazine and reunions, to encourage financial support for students and faculty in the College of Nursing, to encourage the promotion of the nursing profession and recognize individuals and organizations for meritorious service.

If you have any questions or are interested in participating in the Chapter, please email alumni@unmc.edu or call 402-559-4385.

2011 Alumni Reunion Weekend Award Recipients

Liane Connelly, PhD, RN
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Liane Connelly joined the UNMC College of Nursing as an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of the College's Northern Division in Norfolk in June 2011.  Dr. Connelly has been a member of the faculty at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas for the past 18 years.  She served as Chair and Director of the nursing department in the University since 2004.  Her professional interests include nursing and health care administration, complexity theory, rural health, and alternate learning opportunities for clinical nursing.  She is nationally certified as a nurse executive through the American Nurse Credentialing Center and also certified as an online instructor.   

Prior to joining Fort Hays State University, Dr. Connelly was a staff nurse and nurse administrator.  For seven years she was a nurse administrator in acute, community and long term care settings in Nebraska and Michigan. 

Dr. Connelly earned an associate of science in nursing degree (ASN) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1981, a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from Mercy College of Detroit in 198, a master of science in nursing (MSN) from Clarkson College in 1993, and a doctorate of philosophy in education (PhD) from Kansas State University in 1997. 

In addition to her professional commitments and assignments, Dr. Connelly is also active in her community.  She served for many years on the Mutual Ministry Committee for her church, Trinity Lutheran.  She is an active rotary club member and leader and was involved with many civic organizations while living in Hays.  As of fall 2010, Dr. Connelly had mentored approximately 30 students as they defended their thesis' in progress towards their MSN degrees.  

Suzanne Nuss, PhD, RN
Nursing Excellence Award

Suzanne L. Nuss, PhD, RN, is the Director of Nursing Research and Quality Outcomes at the Nebraska Medical Center.  Before assuming this role in January 2009, Suzanne worked as a Clinical Nurse Researcher in the Office of Nursing Research and as a Clinical Nurse Specialist/Case Manager in the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation at the Nebraska Medical Center.  In 2007, Suzanne earned her PhD at UNMC having come full circle from earning an Associate Degree in 1982!     

Prior to coming to UNMC and the Nebraska Medical Center, Suzanne held positions at Children's Hospital of New Jersey in Newark, where she worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner and at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, where she served as an adjunct instructor.  

In addition to her experience as a clinician and instructor, Suzanne continues to expand her research experience.  She serves as both principal and secondary investigator on topics ranging from quality of life in pediatric oncology patients to improving patient outcomes to staff satisfaction.  She is a member of the Institutional Review Boards at both UNMC and Children's Hospital and Medical Center.  Suzanne currently serves on the National Board of Directors of Camp Quality, USA and as a nursing scholar on the Children's Oncology Group Nursing Research Committee.

A few of her recent awards include: the Research Award from Sigma Theta Tau, the Excellence in Nursing Award from the Nebraska March of Dimes, and an Outstanding Nursing Research Poster at the Children's Oncology Group Nursing Workshop.  

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