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Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University

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Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University has been preparing exceptional nurses for professional practice for over five decades.

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Orientation week is here, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome new undergraduate and graduate students for the fall semester!

As our newest students begin this next chapter, we’re excited to share a little glimpse into our school, our community and what makes our school so special.

To our newest students: we’re so glad you chose us to be part of your nursing journey. We can’t wait to see you learn, grow and discover where this journey takes you.

Welcome to Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University!

#ODUNursing taken in Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University by @odunursing

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2 months ago

This week, we were honored to host the inaugural regional meeting of the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center, bringing together nursing educators, healthcare organizations, workforce leaders and partners from across Virginia to address clinical placement challenges, strengthen academic-practice partnerships and explore data-driven strategies to prepare the next generation of nurses.

The day began with welcoming remarks from Rene Love, Ph.D., dean, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University and Alfred Abuhamad, MD, executive vice president for health sciences at Old Dominion University, followed by Yvette Dorsey, D.N.P., director, Virginia Nursing Workforce Center, sharing updates from the Center and setting the stage for a day of collaboration and discussion.

Throughout the meeting, attendees heard from leaders representing institutions including the University of Maryland, the University of New Mexico and Rappahannock Community College, as well as organizations such as Johns Hopkins Hospital System and Eastern Virginia Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), among others. Discussions focused on shared challenges, opportunities for collaboration and strategies to strengthen Virginia’s nursing workforce.

Here’s a first look at this important gathering. Stay tuned as we share more about the conversations, partnerships and collective vision shaping the future of nursing education and workforce development across the Commonwealth.

📷 Photo caption: Event organizers and hosts left to right: Rene Love, Ph.D., dean, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University. Chelsea Weaks, D.N.P., director of the CNS and D.N.P. Nurse Practitioner Program, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University. Yvette Dorsey, D.N.P., director, Virginia Nursing Workforce Center. Alfred Abuhamad, MD, executive vice president for health sciences at Old Dominion University.

#ODUNursing #WorkforceDevelopment by @odunursing

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15 hours ago

What happens when nursing education moves beyond the classroom?

Six nursing students are finding out through a new clinical rotation partnership with Grove Christian Outreach Center in Williamsburg.

Through health screenings, nutrition education and hands-on support at the center’s food pantry, students are gaining a deeper understanding of how food access and other community factors shape health.

Read the story at the link in our bio.

#ODUNursing #CommunityHealth @grovechristianoutreach by @odunursing

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2 days ago

Pregnancy and breastfeeding change your body, and your breast health still deserves attention 💜 This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, notice what feels different, bring your concerns to your provider, and keep asking questions while you nurse 🩺 Save this reminder and send it to a new parent who needs to hear it 🎀

#BreastCancerAwareness #BreastfeedingSupport #BlackMaternalHealth #MaternalHealthEquity taken in Norfolk, Virginia by @odunursing

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3 days ago

We’re proud to celebrate our faculty and alumni for their outstanding achievements at the American Academy of Nursing’s 2026 Induction Ceremony.

Congratulations to Adrienne Hartgerink, D.N.P., CRNA, FAANA, director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program, on being named to the Academy’s 2026 Class of Fellows. We also congratulate Amber Price, D.N.P., M.S.N., RN (B.S.N. ’06), chief nursing officer at Sentara Health, on her induction into the Academy.

We’re also celebrating Jane Carrington, Ph.D., RN, interim chair of Graduate Programs, whose research earned the Nursing Outlook Award for the most-cited paper in the practice category.

These accomplishments reflect the leadership, expertise and dedication of nurses who are advancing the profession and improving healthcare for individuals and communities.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Carrington, Dr. Hartgerink and Dr. Price on these well-deserved honors!

#ODUNursing #FacultySpotlight #AlumniSpotlight taken in Washington, DC by @odunursing

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3 days ago

When you’re working full-time, managing family commitments, and balancing a full schedule, it’s normal to feel uncertain about adding academics to the mix.

Ariel Velazquez was worried her doctorate in nursing degree might ask her to scale back somewhere else. But at ODU, she discovered an encouraging support system and the flexibility she needed to balance her growing leadership career with school.

#DNP #DoctorateDegree #Nursing by @odunursing

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4 days ago

Celebrate ODU Homecoming with your nursing family!

Join fellow alumni at the ODU Alumni Association tailgate where members of the Ellmer School of Nursing Alumni Chapter will be gathered for great music, food, fun, fellowship, and a chance to reconnect with old friends and meet some new friends. We’ll bring everyone together for an unforgettable group photo—so let’s show up, show out, and make 2026 Homecoming one to remember!

The first 50 registrants will receive a complimentary ESON alumni t-shirt! Come ready to represent, reconnect, and celebrate the legacy we proudly share as ODU nursing alumni.

Find more information and registration link at the link in our bio! by @odunursing

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4 days ago

To mark World Mental Health Day, we enlisted the help of Ruth, our chief compassion officer, to ask our students what mental health means to them and what they do to take care of their well-being.

Her support couldn’t have come at a better time! With exams taking place this week, our students had the opportunity to spend some quality time with Ruth, share their thoughts, enjoy some comfort and companionship and release a little stress.

We’re reminded that caring for our mental health looks different for everyone, but taking time to pause, connect and show ourselves compassion can make a real difference.

A big thank you to Ruth for always bringing comfort, joy and a little extra calm to our students when they need it most!

#ODUNursing #WorldMentalHealthDay #ChiefCompassionOfficer by @odunursing

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6 days ago

As we continue our focus on mental health awareness this month, we’re spotlighting the faculty preparing the next generation of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.

Meet Katia Hall, D.N.P., director, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, who discovered a passion for mental healthcare while working as a family nurse practitioner. After recognizing how frequently patients presented with psychiatric symptoms, she returned to school to deepen her expertise and ultimately dedicate her practice to this population.

Today, Dr. Hall is helping future PMHNPs build the knowledge and confidence to diagnose and treat mental health conditions while expanding access to care.

Her message is simple: Mental health is as important as physical health.
"While stigma continues to improve, there is still work to do," shared Dr. Hall. By preparing compassionate, skilled providers and listening to people with lived experience, we can help make mental health care more accessible to those who need it."

#ODUNursing #WorldMentalHealthDay by @odunursing

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7 days ago

World Mental Health Day is just a few days away, and throughout October, we’re focusing on the importance of mental health awareness.

We’re kicking things off by spotlighting our Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program and the people preparing the next generation of mental health providers.

Hear from Kimberly Freisenbruch, D.N.P., APRN, PMHNP-BC, CCM, director of clinical education, whose passion for mental healthcare was shaped in part by seeing family and friends struggle following their military service.

For Dr. Freisenbruch, preparing future PMHNPs is about more than clinical expertise. It’s about shaping a future where people experiencing mental health challenges are heard, understood and cared for with compassion.

“Mental health is the cornerstone of true healing.”

Her advice to future providers reflects that belief: listen, meet people where they are and walk alongside them, even in the darkest moments.

“One of the things I tell my patients and students is this,” said Dr. Freisenbruch. “When you are in a pit of despair, you will have people standing on the edge of the pit telling you how to get out or what they think will help you. I jump into the pit because I have been there, I have the map, and we will get out together.”

#ODUNursing #WorldMentalHealthDay by @odunursing

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8 days ago

Behind every surgery is a team of highly trained professionals helping patients through some of their most vulnerable moments.

To help support the next generation of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), we recently awarded 15 third-year CRNA students $30,000 scholarships through a new partnership with @odunursing.

The scholarships are part of a $1.3 million commitment over the next three years to help address a growing need for anesthesia providers and strengthen the future healthcare workforce.

For students, the scholarships help ease the financial burden of an intensive graduate program. For patients, they help ensure access to the highly skilled professionals who provide care, comfort and confidence before, during and after surgery.

Today's scholarship recipients are tomorrow's healthcare leaders, and we're proud to support their journey. 💙 by @odunursing

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10 days ago

Nearly 27 hours of travel. Countless miles. One meaningful weekend of connection and growth.

For Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) student Ruben Castro, M.S.N. (M.S.N. ’25), the journey from Okinawa, Japan to Virginia Beach, Virginia was more than a trip. It was an opportunity to reconnect with classmates, meet faculty face-to-face and learn from leaders shaping the future of healthcare.

During Immersion Weekend, nearly 100 D.N.P. students stepped away from their screens to collaborate, innovate and strengthen the skills needed to lead in healthcare.

From a healthcare Hackathon and disaster simulation to research presentations and interdisciplinary learning, students put leadership into action and left with new ideas, connections and possibilities.

Read our latest (link in bio and Stories)

#ODUNursing by @odunursing

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10 days ago