Dr. Nena Sanders, Ralph W. Beeson Professor and Dean, Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing
Profile name: Nena F. Sanders, DSN, RN
Title: Ralph W. Beeson Professor and Dean
Company/Organization: Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing Samford University
Address: 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham AL 35229
Phone: 205-726-2861
Fax: 205-726-2219
E-mail: nfsander@samford.edu
Website: www.samford.edu/schools/nursing/nursing.html
Company/Organization Brief Mission: The mission of the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing is to nurture persons in preparation to practice as registered nurses at the basic and advanced practice levels through concentrated study in nursing, by facilitating individual and group learning experiences within the Christian community, so that graduates develop ethical awareness and academic and career competencies in order to serve effectively and compassionately in various health care settings and to be valued by patients and employers in the community.
Job description: Serves as the academic administrator for the baccalaureate and master s programs in the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing. Responsible for approximately 40 faculty and staff and approximately 270 undergraduate and 60 graduate nursing students.
Length of service: Joined the School of Nursing faculty in 1999 as a professor and coordinator of the graduate Nurse Executive and Management Tracks. Assumed the position of dean in August 2001.
Accreditations: The IVMSON is accredited by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In addition, the nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The School of Nursing is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing.
Education: Holds a bachelor s, master s, and doctoral nursing degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham . At the master s level, she holds specialization in cardiovascular nursing. The doctoral degree is in administration.
Family: Married to Tommy J. Sanders with two children, Kimberly D. Sanders and Kennan F. Sanders.
Personal Business Philosophy: The values and beliefs that I aspire to reflect in my approach to business are those associated with the concept of servant leadership. Servant leadership emphasizes service to others; a holistic approach to work; promoting a sense of community; and, the sharing of power in decision-making (Greenleaf, R.., 1991).
Basically, I see my role as creating a work environment that encourages and enables employees to perform in the most effective and efficient manner possible. It is my responsibility to provide the culture, resources, and leadership that will create a quality work environment.
Favorite Quote: Although I have a number of favorite quotes, the one that has been most meaningful to me as dean is one by T. S. Eliot. "What we call the beginning is often the end, and to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from."
Advice to women in business: Remember that success is not measured by wealth, power, or fame, but by the ratio between what a woman is and what she could be.
Best advice ever received: A mentor once told me that, as an administrator, you can measure your effectiveness by not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it s the same problem you had last year.
Secret to surviving in business: Based on my experience, there are six qualities that are key to surviving: sincerity, personal integrity, humility, courtesy, wisdom, and charity. (2 Peter 1: 5-7, 10)
Although there are many factors that impact one s success and survival in business, there is one major factor that results in failure, Trying to please everyone.
Your strongest inspiration: To know that I have been placed on this earth for a specific purpose that was set forth by God. My inspiration comes from my desire to know and understand that purpose and to achieve the purpose according to God s plan.
What being in business has taught you: Being passionate about your work allows you to be in love with your job. When your work is your passion, you will not see your work as a job, it is your life. Your passion is your power, your drive!
Success consists of getting up more times than you fall. Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again. Proverbs 24:16
Secret to dealing with employees: Recognize that people are your greatest asset as an administrator.
Never ask an employee to do something that you would not do yourself and always be willing to do those things you would never ask an employee to do, but must be done.
Surround yourself with employees who know more about what you have hired them to do than you know and, most important, let them do what you have asked them to do.
