College of Nursing faculty earn Outstanding Presentation Award for innovative teaching approach

Assistant professors Marie Leist-Smith, PhD, RN, and Misty Bauer, DNP, RN, won the attendee-voted award for a session that grew out of their work redesigning a nursing informatics course to better connect concepts across the curriculum with the complex, practice-based work students complete during capstone.

"Informatics is a natural bridge in the curriculum," Leist-Smith says. "Students draw on concepts they've learned in previous courses — including evidence-based practice, quality improvement, leadership, and communication — and apply them to solve real healthcare challenges. We wanted to create a learning experience that helped them make those connections before entering the capstone."

Rather than assign one large project, Leist-Smith and Bauer built the course around scaffolded assignments that progressively build students' knowledge, confidence, and independence. Each assignment builds on the last, giving students room to get feedback, reflect and strengthen their work before moving forward.

“Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a complex project, they're able to focus on integrating what they've learned and applying it in a meaningful way," Bauer explains.

The course also builds in structured group work and communication activities that mirror real-world nursing practice. Students collaborate throughout the semester, developing the teamwork, accountability, and communication skills they will need on interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

"It's especially meaningful to receive this recognition from fellow educators," Leist-Smith says. "Our goal was to share practical strategies that faculty could adapt to their own courses to help students become more engaged, confident learners. Knowing those ideas resonated with colleagues across disciplines is incredibly rewarding."

Leist-Smith and Bauer will present the workshop again this fall through the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning, giving more faculty a chance to bring the approach into their own courses.