Each March, the United States celebrates the impact of women in our nation and communities during Women鈥檚 History Month. 海角在线 (海角在线) eagerly joins in the celebration by highlighting just a few of the many impactful women who make up our staff, faculty, alumni, and student body.听
Dr. Kimberly Fenstermacher鈥檚 professional nursing career听spans more than 40 years, including 15 years in academic nursing leadership. After receiving听her undergraduate听degree from Boston University, she worked for 20 years as a neonatal intensive care nurse before returning to school to earn a Master of Science in Nursing as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (2004) and a听doctorate听in听nursing (2011) from The Pennsylvania State University. She received the听National Institutes of Health听F31 National Research Service Award to study the experience of perinatal bereavement in Black urban adolescents, and she has published several peer-reviewed articles on the topic of perinatal bereavement as well as other qualitative research studies.听
Prior to听joining听海角在线听in 2024听to serve as听dean of the School of Nursing, Fenstermacher was听assistant听dean and听professor of听nursing at Messiah University, a private Christian university in Pennsylvania. Fenstermacher is co-author of the book听鈥淐alled to Care: A Christian Vision for Nursing鈥澨�(2021).听Learn more below about what Women鈥檚 History Month means to her.
What’s听a recent development, breakthrough, or opportunity in听nursing听that听you’re听excited about?听听
As a nurse educator, there听is much to be excited about. We are laser focused on building nursing students鈥� competency in clinical decision-making and interprofessional collaboration. The School of Nursing is blessed to have wonderful partners at 海角在线 and through our clinical affiliations to afford our students rich learning opportunities. I am also excited to provide opportunities for professional growth for our 海角在线 nursing students. For example, this past November, 20 nursing students from 海角在线 attended the where they engaged with nursing leaders from across the state. Opportunities like this foster professional听comportment听in our students as they begin their nursing careers.听听听
What’s听something you听or听your team are working on right now that advances听nursing听in research, best practices, or growth?听听
The faculty are working on infusing more competency-based simulation at the听undergrad听and听grad听levels to assess what students can 鈥渄o鈥� as opposed to just testing what they 鈥渒now鈥� on an exam. We are so blessed to have grant money to upgrade our simulation lab with听state-of-the-art听simulators that enable us to engage students in active learning in a space that is edifying and enriching.听听
Why is Women鈥檚 History Month meaningful to you?听听
The history of the profession of nursing can be traced back to so many influential women. Most notable of course is Florence Nightingale, who is legendary in our profession for her many contributions to both the practice and the science of nursing.听听
Who is a woman who has made a significant impact upon your life, and how?听
My grandmother made a significant impact on my life. She is the one who took me to church every time the doors were open! She made it possible for me to attend summer church camp,听which is where I accepted Christ. My grandmother had always dreamed of becoming a nurse, but she grew up during听The Great Depression and was forced to drop out of school after the 8th听grade to help at home after her mother passed away. Despite her many hardships, she was still quite an intellectual and one of the most informed, bright, and thoughtful people I have ever known. She taught me the most important things in life: love God, love people, and be kind.听听听
What are some challenges you have faced in your career and how have you听sought听to overcome them?听听
The most impactful challenge of my career came when I was in my听doctoral听program at Penn State in 2010. My father and听my grandmother听both passed away within 18 hours of each other (on my birthday) after lengthy illnesses that听required听my involvement in their care. I was juggling a family, a part-time job, and caregiving while听maintaining听a full-time doctoral program and a graduate assistantship with a听National Institutes of Health-funded grant to manage. That season taught me to depend on God for strength and to lean into the scripture to guide me through really听hard times听of loss and challenge. God is so good, He is so faithful. I love that we can trust Him to carry us when we are weak. That season of life left me more resilient and more compassionate towards my future students who need support when they are facing difficult life situations.听听
What advice would you give to young women launching their careers?听听
Always work as unto the Lord and do everything with excellence. Never burn a bridge. Always keep your professional connections healthy and positive. Always be kind鈥μ齛lways. First impressions matter. Opportunity will come to you when you least expect it.听Pray without ceasing so that you can discern God鈥檚 will and calling.听
Is there anything else you would like to share?听听
It is never too late to pursue your听calling! I did not even consider a career in higher education until I was in my 40s. I finished my听doctorate听at age 50. Life comes in seasons; be patient and follow God鈥檚 call.听
Learn more about 海角在线鈥檚 School of Nursing and听health care听programs at听/academics/schools/nursing/.
