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Eastern Michigan University Faculty

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Online Faculty

Jaydene Sue Morris-Wagner, Adjunct Faculty

EMU Faculty

"Communication of my passion for nursing and nursing education is the key to helping our future and current nurses become the best they can be."

Degrees Held:

  • MSN – Eastern Michigan University, 2003
  • BSN – Wayne State University, 1979
  • General Associate – Washtenaw Community College, 1978
  • Diploma in Nursing – Cheshire Medical Center (Keene, New Hampshire), 1974

Career Highlights:

  • Direct patient care in orthopedic/trauma surgical acute care, stepdown, renal transplant, geriatrics, urology, vascular, endocrine, and extended care
  • Management experience on surgical acute care units, including national patient safety goals, nursing practice regulations, agency visits, budgeting and staffing, interviewing and evaluations as well as EMR: Epic, CareLink, and Power Chart
  • Education experience at Michigan Medicine, including Educational Services for Nursing as well as Educational Coordinator for Orthopedic Trauma Unit and Central Nursing Orientation and central policy rollouts
  • EMU Adjunct Faculty teaching clinical, didactic and online classes
  • Curriculum development for EMU and local college
  • Resident camp nurse for a summer Cub Scout camp in Michigan last 4 years
  • Member of the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses, Sigma Theta Eta Rho (EMU) and the Association of Camp Nursing
  • Extended care experience at Keene Manor (Keene, New Hampshire), Evergreen Manor (Ypsilanti, Michigan) and Northfield Place (Whitmore Lake, Michigan)

Which online degree program(s) do you teach?

  • Which classes do you teach online?

    • NURS 221: Health Assessment for RNs
    • NURS 465: RN Essentials of Professional Nursing Practice: Nurse as Leader
  • What do students learn in your classes? What is the expected outcome?

    In NURS 221, students review the elements of physical assessment and nursing diagnosis and learn to perform a head-to-toe assessment, becoming more confident in assessment skills.

  • Why did you start teaching?

    My father was a music educator with a doctorate in education. My mother was a surgical nurse with a diploma. They encouraged me to become whatever I wanted to be. I have combined their careers in becoming a Registered Nurse. My goal in nursing school was to become a nursing educator. I decided to get a lot of hands-on experience before going back to school for my MSN. I felt that if I was going to teach nursing practice, I needed a good foundation in direct client care, education, management and integrative health.

    Helping students understand the importance of knowledge base, skill development and a sense of altruism in nursing energizes me. I enjoy seeing the light bulb go on in my students. I learn as much from my students as my students may learn from me. Communication of my passion for nursing and nursing education is the key to helping our future and current nurses become the best they can be. Many years ago, someone asked, "Who are you?" I replied, "I am a Registered Nurse, and I will always find a way to help others."

  • What advice would you give to those considering this online degree program?

    Review the syllabus and take notes. Put your assignment due dates in your calendar.

  • What qualities make someone particularly successful in the nursing profession?

    • Knowledge base
    • Time management
    • Ability to think out of the box
    • Taking time for yourself
    • Networking
    • Positive affirmation
    • Asking for help and clarification
  • What do you think is the biggest challenge that nurses face today?

    We will always have the challenge of fighting for health care and safe nursing practices.

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