School of Nursing Mission and Philosophy

Mission

In accordance with the mission statement of Rasmussen University, the School of Nursing mission is to cultivate a learning environment that develops a skill set for critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment. The School of Nursing strives to educate students in the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide safe and competent nursing care in the diverse communities we serve.

Philosophy

The School of Nursing Philosophy is anchored in the belief that nursing education should prepare students to function safely and effectively in the role of the nurse. We believe that nursing education should provide students an opportunity to progress within a laddered curriculum in order to enhance the profession of nursing and to serve as a foundation for life-long learning.

Nurses should be prepared to provide ethical, holistic, and compassionate care to diverse populations in a variety of settings. These goals are accomplished by including the standards set forth by our governing bodies, as well as evidenced-based research provided by our colleagues, and the values and criteria promoted by our national nursing organizations into our curriculum.

School Leadership

Karin Polifko, PhD, RN, CNE, NEA-BC

Vice President and Associate Chief Academic Officer for Nursing

Education: PhD, Old Dominion University; MSN, University of Pennsylvania; BSN, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Georgia Smith-Vest, DNP, RN

Regional Dean, Nursing

Education: DNP and MSN, University of Southern Indiana; BSN, Eastern Kentucky University

Josh Hamilton, DNP, RN/PMH-BC, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CTMH, CNE, FAANP

Assistant Vice President and Dean, Post-Licensure Nursing

Education: DNP, Rush University, Chicago; MS and BS, University of Wyoming; AS and ADN, Casper College

Mary “Micki” Englert, DNP, FNP-BC, CNE

Associate Dean, Post-Licensure Nursing

Education: DNP, University of North Florida; MSN and BSN, Thomas Jefferson University; BS, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Alexandra Torres, DNP, RN

Regional Dean, Nursing

Education: DNP, South University; MSN and MBA, University of Tampa; BSN, University of South Florida

Kelly McCullough, DNP, ARNP

Regional Dean, Nursing

Education: DNP, University of South Alabama; MS and BS, University of South Florida

Curtis Dush, MSN

Program Curriculum Chair, Nursing

Education: MSN and BSN, East Tennessee State University; AAS, Saint Louis Community College

Lisa Nikel, DNP

Program Curriculum Chair, Nursing

Education: DNP, University of South Alabama; MSN, University of South Florida; BSN, Cleveland State University

Deanna Wolfskeil, MSN, RN

Associate Director of Faculty Development, Nursing

Education: MS, Florida Atlantic University; BSN, Mississippi University for Women

Michelle Howard, MSN, RN, CNS, CHSE

National Simulation Director, Nursing

Education: MSN, Liberty University; BSN, Southwest Baptist University

Minnesota

Shelley Rayborn, DNP

Dean of Nursing, Bloomington, Hennepin/Anoka, Lake Elmo

Education: DNP, St. Catherine University; MSN, Metropolitan State University; BSN, University of Minnesota

Sharon Olglesby, MSN

Associate Dean of Nursing /Nurse Administrator, Eagan

Education: MSN, Spring Hill College; BSN, University of Wisconsin--Green Bay; AAS, Milwaukee Area Technical College

Kayla Howard, DNP

Dean of Nursing/Nurse Administrator, Fargo/Moorhead

Education: DNP, Rasmussen University; MSN and BSN, Capella University; AAS, AA and AS, Minnesota State Community & Technical College

Tiffany Garrioch, MSN

Dean of Nursing/Nurse Administrator, Mankato

Education: MSN, Capella University; BSN, Rasmussen University; BA, Hastings College; AAS, Rasmussen University

Kimberly Korneck, MSN

Dean of Nursing/Nurse Administrator, St. Cloud

Education: MSN, Walden University; AS, Excelsior College; AAS, St. Cloud Technical and Community College

Florida

Mary Kohler, PhD, RN

Dean of Nursing/Nurse Administrator, Central Pasco

Education: PhD, University of South Florida; MS and BSN, Florida Atlantic University; AAS, Salem College

Lisa Johnson, MSN/Ed, RN

Dean of Nursing/Nurse Administrator, Fort Myers

Education: MSN/Ed, Walden University; ADN, Rasmussen University; LPN, Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology

Karen Guty, DNP, RN

Area Dean of Nursing/Nurse Administrator, Ocala, North Orlando

Education: DNP and MSN, Duquesne University; BSN, Pennsylvania State University; BSEd, California University of Pennsylvania

Kara Walls, DNP

Area Dean of Nursing/Nurse Administrator, Tampa/Brandon

Education: DNP, University of North Florida; MS, University of Tennessee; BS, East Tennessee State University

Wisconsin

Joseph Wagner, MSN, MBA

Program Coordinator/Nurse Administrator, Wausau

Education: MSN and MBA, University of Phoenix; BSN, University of Wisconsin

Ashley Otto, DNP

Associate Dean of Nursing /Nurse Administrator, Green Bay

Education: DNP, Grand Canyon University; MSN, University of Phoenix; BSN, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh; AAS, Rasmussen University; AAS, University of Wisconsin Colleges

Kansas

Jamie Magana, MSN

Dean of Nursing/Nurse Administrator, Topeka/Overland Park

Education: MSN, University of Kansas; BSN, Emporia State University

Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!

There are some errors in the form. Please correct the errors and submit again.

Request More Information

Talk with an admissions advisor today.

Fill out the form to receive information about:

  • Program Details and Applying for Classes 
  • Financial Aid and FAFSA (for those who qualify)
  • Customized Support Services
  • Detailed Program Plans

Step 1 of 3

What's Your Name?

Step 2 of 3

Contact Information

Step 3 of 3

Program Preferences
Do you have potential transfer credits?

By clicking "Submit," I authorize Rasmussen University to contact me by email, phone or text message at the number provided. There is no obligation to enroll.


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
logo-accreditation-acen logo-accreditation-ccne chart-credential-laddering-associates-bachelors-masters 0 Credits 90 Credits 180 Credits 48 Credits Start Here HIGH SCHOOL GRADS Start Here TRANSFER STUDENTS Start Here SECOND DEGREE PURSUERS End Here ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE Start Here MASTER'S DEGREE PURSUERS End Here BACHELOR'S DEGREE End Here MASTER'S DEGREE chart-credential-laddering-associates-bachelors 0 Credits Start Here HIGH SCHOOL GRADS Start Here TRANSFER STUDENTS 90 Credits Start Here SECOND DEGREE PURSUERS End Here ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE 180 Credits End Here BACHELOR'S DEGREE chart-credential-laddering-msn chart-credential-laddering-nursing-programs chart-credential-laddering-post-grad-np chart-credential-laddering-nursing DNP MSN RN to BSN LPN to RN Bridge Accelerated BSN Professional Nursing ADN Practical Nursing Diploma Pre-Licensure Post-Licensure icon-colored-outline-bank icon-colored-outline-certificate icon-colored-outline-circle-dollar-sign icon-colored-outline-folder-search icon-colored-outline-hand-heart icon-colored-outline-head-blocks icon-colored-outline-head-cog icon-colored-outline-head-heart icon-colored-outline-health-plus-leaves icon-colored-outline-hospital icon-colored-outline-lifelong-learning icon-colored-outline-light-bulb-analytics icon-colored-outline-location-pin icon-colored-outline-magnifying-glass icon-colored-outline-monitor-healthcare icon-colored-outline-monitor-paper-search icon-colored-outline-nurse-rays icon-colored-outline-padlock-shield icon-colored-outline-person-presenter-screen icon-colored-outline-scales ras-logo-flame ras-logo-horizontal ras-logo-stacked icon-colored-advance icon-colored-arrows-cross-curve icon-colored-briefcase-star icon-colored-build icon-colored-bulb-analytics icon-colored-certificate icon-colored-continual-development icon-colored-duo-chatbox icon-colored-folder-mortarboard icon-colored-forward-ribbon icon-colored-gears-clock icon-colored-globe-pen icon-colored-growth icon-colored-hand-bubble icon-colored-hand-stars icon-colored-hands-gear icon-colored-head-blocks icon-colored-head-cog icon-colored-health-plus-leaves icon-colored-hospital-building icon-colored-laptop-cbe-skyscraper icon-colored-laptop-checkmark icon-colored-laptop-webpage icon-colored-location-map icon-colored-location-pin icon-colored-monitor-paper-scan icon-colored-mortarboard-dollar icon-colored-national icon-colored-people-chat-bubbles icon-colored-person-cheer-star icon-colored-person-laptop-checkboxes icon-colored-person-screen-instructor icon-colored-person-whiteboard icon-colored-phone-chatbox icon-colored-police-light icon-colored-prep icon-colored-presenter icon-colored-regional icon-colored-save-time icon-colored-shirt-hat icon-colored-skyscraper icon-colored-state icon-colored-student-centered icon-colored-support icon-colored-world-experience icon-triangle-arrow-up-plant icon-triangle-calendar-pencil icon-triangle-clock-rotating-arrows icon-triangle-display-gears icon-triangle-hand-right-speech-bubble icon-triangle-laptop-coding-brackets icon-triangle-mortarboard icon-triangle-paper-ribbon icon-triangle-person-cheer-star icon-triangle-person-juggle icon-triangle-triple-people-chat-bubble icon-modality-campus icon-modality-field icon-modality-online icon-modality-residential icon-arrow icon-bank icon-camera icon-filter icon-general-chart icon-general-connect icon-general-degree icon-general-discuss icon-general-email icon-general-find icon-general-hat icon-general-heart icon-general-laptop-building icon-general-laptop icon-general-leader icon-general-map icon-general-money icon-general-paperwork icon-general-people icon-general-phone icon-general-speak-out icon-head-heart icon-info-circle icon-mail-forward icon-mglass icon-play-solid icon-quote-mark-left icon-quote-mark-right icon-scales icon-share-square-o icon-simple-chat icon-simple-desktop icon-simple-find icon-simple-hamburger icon-simple-phone icon-spinner icon-tag icon-testimonial-quotes icon-util-checkbox-white icon-util-checkbox icon-util-checked-white icon-util-checked icon-util-chevron-down icon-util-chevron-left icon-util-chevron-right icon-util-chevron-up icon-util-circle-arrow-down icon-util-circle-dot icon-util-language-switch icon-util-loading icon-util-open-window-link icon-util-pdf-link icon-util-refresh icon-util-x rebrand-arrows icon-social-facebook-colored icon-social-facebook-square-colored icon-social-facebook-square icon-social-facebook icon-social-google-plus-square icon-social-google-plus icon-social-instagram-colored icon-social-instagram icon-social-linkedin-square-colored icon-social-linkedin-square icon-social-linkedin icon-social-pinterest-p-colored icon-social-pinterest-p icon-social-twitter-colored icon-social-twitter-square icon-social-twitter icon-social-youtube-play-colored icon-social-youtube-play graduate-cap-star-coin hand-coin hand-heart nurse-stethoscope-rays card-send-smile person-yoga-pose suitcase-star