UC College of Nursing Professor Awarded National Teaching Award

After developing interactive case studies for her Differential Diagnosis course, the University of Cincinnati's Christine Colella received the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Excellence and Innovation in Teaching award.

The annual award is presented to a faculty member with more than five years of teaching experience in didactic or clinical settings at AACN member schools. Now, Colella, associate professor and director of Nurse Practitioner programs, continues to ensure the Nurse Practitioner program for distance learners is equally as robust as the on-site version.

“We want to teach people to be active learners no matter where they are,” Colella said.

No matter where students are in their careers and whether or not they take their courses on campus, Colella said the College of Nursing aims to give all students the education they need and the tools to be lifelong learners.

From the interactive case studies that distance learners say is the best hands-on experience they have ever had to lectures that students can listen to on the go, Colella uses technology to open new horizons for her students. 

“Technology makes information more accessible, portable and it puts everyone on an even playing ground in terms of education,” Colella said.

The number of interactive case studies has grown from two to 15, which is credited in part to a $900,000 grant from Advanced Nursing Education Health Resources. The case studies range from simple to complex and include pediatric, adult and geriatric patients. 

While the case studies currently cover patient diagnostics, Colella said they will expand to teach telehealth, management of diseases, patient education and planning care. 

Colella said distance learning helps further UC’s Third Century goals through opening up education opportunities to more people. As increasing numbers of students receive rigorous, interactive and engaging nursing educations, more patients will have access to healthcare.