HISTORY
For the past three years, the University of Maryland School of Nursing has been implementing the initiatives of the 2003-2006 Strategic Plan - a Plan that created a foundation and a vision for how we work together. It provided a framework for decision-making, gave us guidelines for direction, and offered a clear and objective process for prioritizing initiatives, including the allocation of resources. That Plan served us well, and early in 2006, we began to create the 2007-2011 Strategic Plan to further advance the School of Nursing.
THE PROCESS
The first step in developing the new Strategic Plan was an anonymous online survey in which each faculty and staff member assessed the directions and priorities of the School, including the identification of possible "Great Leaps Forward." Next, an All-School Retreat was held in January 2006, where faculty, staff, administrators, partners, and stakeholders worked together through a series of challenging exercises and courageous conversations. The outcomes of the survey and the retreat were compiled into a working document that represented the infancy of the new Plan. A Strategic Planning Committee, composed of faculty and staff, worked with a facilitator for five months to create initiatives and goals based on the first document. Throughout the process, confirmation exercises were completed by faculty and staff to assure that the committee was on the right track. Once the initiatives and goals were completed, implementation teams were established to create the specific tactics for each of the Plan's four years. The final document represents the input of time and talent from every unit in the School, with virtually everyone having an opportunity to contribute at various junctures.
THE PLAN
While the 2007-2011 Strategic Plan is highly ambitious and represents bold decisions and directions for the School, we are collectively committed to and invested in its success. The new Plan will encourage us to take many "Great Leaps Forward" and to consistently analyze our successes and challenges. It defines and refines our education, research, and practice missions. The Plan holds us accountable to our stated values, to cultural competence, to global health, to student-centered learning, to technological advancement, and to faculty and staff development. We recognize that creating an environment that produces satisfied students, engaged alumni, loyal faculty, and fulfilled staff is as vital to our success as our top-tier national ranking.
OUR PROMISE
By focusing on our mission, striving to achieve our vision, and using this new Strategic Plan to provide
direction, we are certain to achieve our goals. In doing so, we will contribute to the history of
nursing education and research, while elevating the profession of nursing. More importantly, with
our faculty, students, and alumni acting as leaders and change agents, we will improve the health and
wellness of countless individuals worldwide.
Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN
Dean and Professor
University of Maryland School of Nursing