From bedside care to community outreach, nurses treat illnesses, promote healing and recovery, prevent complications, drive health care innovation and empower patients and their families. Involved in every stage of health care delivery, they are vital for maintaining access to high-quality care. And, they are in short supply; in Nebraska, more than 1,280 registered nurses will be needed by 2030.
It’s never too late to become a nurse and – like infinite kaleidoscope patterns – opportunities abound across rural and urban clinics and hospitals, and in research labs, classrooms and more. Here, you’ll meet an array of individuals – from nurse scientists and political advocates to specialty and forensic nurses – who love the challenges, rewards and opportunities found in safeguarding public health.
Mission-driven work has broad impact
H. Dele Davies, MD, UNMC interim chancellor
Welcome to another edition of UNMC Connect magazine. Within these pages, you — valued members of our university community — will learn about the impactful and transformative work taking place at your university, the only public academic health science center in Nebraska. I’m especially pleased to introduce this magazine, as it is my first issue as your interim chancellor. I am humbled to lead this great institution and grateful for the work UNMC does every day to enhance the lives of all Nebraskans. While I’ve met many of you during my dozen-plus years at UNMC, it is a privilege to re-introduce myself in this new role. As you already know, the cover theme of this issue is “Kaleidoscope of Nursing Care.” I could not think of a more apt metaphor. A singular vision is transformed into a multitude of opportunities in research, outreach, education and, of course, clinical care. I’m proud of how our UNMC College of Nursing carries out its mission throughout our 500-mile campus and beyond.
The cover of the 2025 edition of UNMC Connect Magazine
Marcia Shade, PhD
Assistant professor, UNMC College of Nursing Omaha Division. Founder and CEO of Voice-It Incorporated. Native of Omaha, Nebraska.
“I want to make an impact in health care, and nurses have a unique blend of knowledge in science, skills and holistic patient care. They see the entire person. Nurses also are researchers and innovators by nature. And when older adults told me it would be easier if they could just talk to an app about their pain, I got into research and, through Voice-It Incorporated, decided to create the PAINChat app. ... The lightbulb symbolizes an idea or innovation that stems from thinking and problem solving. My goal as a nurse innovator and entrepreneur is to develop, test and get practical ideas out to people who can really use them. Sure, I can publish in a journal or give a talk, but the people we serve need tangible and transformative impact. ... If I could change one thing, I want nurses to realize their importance and power. You are not ‘just a nurse.’ You are an integral part of a health care team.”
Jed Hansen, PhD
Executive director, Nebraska Rural Health Association. Native of Minden, Nebraska, now in Papillion, Nebraska.
“Nursing was a second career for me. I had been interested in health care in high school and just needed the right motivation and timing to follow my passion. An aunt I was close with died of breast cancer. Seeing her experiences and watching her hospice nurse left a lasting impression on me. Shortly after her death, I left my corporate job in New York, moved back to Nebraska, and enrolled in an accelerated nursing program. ... I knew nursing was the right fit after my first clinical rotation. I was assigned an elderly patient in a skilled rehab facility. He was such a nice person, and I enjoyed getting to work with him and learning about his life. After clinicals finished for the semester, I visited him to make sure he was doing OK. The experience taught me how much I enjoyed making connections with others and the sense of pride I experienced in being able to help people along their health journey. ... I’ve pivoted within nursing several times – from the emergency department to informatics, management, academia, and now advocacy and advanced practice. ... My proudest moment academically? Receiving my PhD and being recognized as a top student across UNMC with my 7-year-old in the audience. I was a proud dad, and she was a proud daughter. In advocacy, it was securing a large federal appropriation to improve veteran access. It was a BIG win in which my work will have a significant impact on the health of thousands of people across the country. ... I wish nurses were more involved in advocacy efforts beyond the walls of their clinics and hospitals. We are incredible advocates for patients, but we need to harness that same energy to elevate our profession and improve health.”
Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP
UNMC College of Nursing Dean, Native of Magnolia, Arkansas.
“I never planned to be in academic nursing. I loved being by the bedside…but I had mentors who saw something in me that I didn’t recognize and encouraged me to pursue higher education. ... At the bedside, it brought me joy to hear ‘thank you’ from patients for providing them comfort, sitting and holding their hand, helping them transition from this life to the next. In academia, it brings me joy to invest in the development of faculty, staff and students. I am reminded on tough days that I have the privilege to make an impact on the lives of others. That’s creating a legacy that will live long beyond me – supporting the development of the next generation of nurses. ... I have loved every moment of my life as a nurse! You impact people at their best and worst moments, and the career options are endless. Everyone will need a nurse at some point in their lives.”
Michele Balas, PhD
Associate dean of research, Dorothy Hodges Olson Distinguished Professor of Nursing, UNMC College of Nursing Omaha Division. Native of Plymouth, Pennsylvania.
“My passion for research was fueled by my experiences in everyday clinical care, where I witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of delirium on patient outcomes. People with delirium experience a sudden and severe disturbance in their mental abilities, leading to confusion and reduced awareness of their environment. The symptoms people experience with delirium fluctuate throughout the day and are distressing. ... The way we previously treated delirium often made things far worse for the patients (e.g. sedation, restraints, bedrest). Collectively, delirium and its treatment led to many preventable adverse events and poor patient outcomes. I decided to develop more effective ways of stopping delirium and improving patient outcomes. ... The NIH study our team is running tests the effects of two different ways of increasing evidence-based practices in the intensive care unit. It will enroll thousands of patients and ICU providers and randomly assign ICUs to receive a real-time audit and feedback dashboard, or an extra RN added to normal daytime staffing levels. We’ll see if either intervention improves ABCDEF bundle adoption (an evidence-based guide for clinicians to use to optimize ICU patient recovery and outcomes) or improves important patient outcomes. ... I’m motivated every day knowing the work I do is important and matters.”
One of Dr. Michele Balas’ most cherished keepsakes is a childhood portrait, painted by her mother on a day when her daughter was home sick. The painting is a mainstay in Dr. Balas’ office at UNMC.
Tiffany Moore, PhD
Associate professor and student affairs administrator, UNMC College of Nursing Omaha Division. Native of Omaha, Nebraska.
“Everyone’s path is different, but I followed my passions. I started my career working with children in the NICU and then became a transport/flight nurse. After that, I pursued the BSN-PhD program and realized I enjoyed research, asking questions and understanding phenomena. Now, I am in academia as an educator and nurse scientist. After about five years, I missed “being” a nurse, so I also take PRN (pro re nata) calls as a forensic nurse examiner and see patients who have been involved in intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault. ... The possibilities of what you can do and where you can work with a nursing degree are endless, and you will never regret the knowledge and wisdom you learn from your nursing career. ... As a new nurse, I remember a mother sobbing after she’d lost her baby. I stepped outside the unit, wiped a tear and asked a more senior nurse if it ever gets easier. “The moment it doesn’t affect you is the moment you need to leave the profession,” she said.
A poignant collection of notes and snapshots from grateful NICU families and an “Angel of Healing” gifted by her mom on Dr. Moore’s graduation from nursing school are reminders of the profound impact of nursing.
