The Lone Star College-North Harris associate degree nursing program is pleased to announce that B. Pamela Mason, MN, RN, CNE, professor of nursing, has been appointed by the National League for Nursing (NLN) to serve as an NLN Ambassador. As a participant in this elite corps, Mason will help keep faculty and administration informed about the NLN’s initiatives, grant opportunities, conferences, publications, workshops, and other benefits available to NLN members.
“We created this selective program to make it as easy as possible for nurse faculty and nursing programs at all levels of academia to understand what the NLN has to offer to enhance professional development and status,” explained NLN CEO Dr. Beverly Malone. “At the same time, we expect the ambassadors to communicate to NLN professional staff and the board what issues and challenges are of greatest concern to nurse educators in the field so that we can maximize the effectiveness of our programming and services. The ambassadors are, in effect, the NLN’s ‘eyes and ears’ on campus.”
Mason received her undergraduate degree at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), and her master’s in nursing from the University of California at Los Angeles. Currently entering the dissertation phase of her doctoral studies for a PhD in education with a specialization in nursing education, Mason is a Certified Nurse Educator. As the only CNE in the Lone Star College System of approximately 50 professional and vocational nursing faculty, Mason is strongly encouraging her colleagues to join her in pursuing this certification.
Mason has enjoyed an extensive career as a nursing educator in California and Texas, and has just recently had her request granted to return to nursing faculty following seven years as program director/department chair of the nursing program at Lone Star College-North Harris.
In addition to her roles as educator, student, wife and mother of three adult children; Mason is an active member of several nursing organizations (including the National League for Nursing), serves on the health careers advisory committee for the local school district, sings in the church choir, is an avid reader, and crochets for relaxation.
It is anticipated that, as do all NLN ambassadors, Mason will encourage colleagues at Lone Star College-North Harris to participate in NLN professional development programs; apply for research grants; submit abstracts for the annual Education Summit and manuscripts to the NLN's peer-reviewed journal, Nursing Education Perspectives; volunteer for task groups and special committees; run for elected office; nominate colleagues for awards; and complete research surveys. She will be prepared to answer any questions other faculty or administrators have about the NLN and, when necessary, refer them to the appropriate NLN staff person.
The NLN Ambassador Program was established in the fall of 2006 with an initial cadre of 126 members who teach in all types of nursing programs; practical nurse, associate degree, diploma, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral. Today there are more than 700 ambassadors representing schools of nursing in 50 states and five countries. New ones are appointed twice a year to meet the goal of having one NLN Ambassador in every school of nursing.
"We are confident that the insights gained through this valuable relationship will help make the NLN more responsive to the needs of our dedicated nurse educators,” added Dr. Malone.
Lone Star College-North Harris is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit LoneStar.edu/NorthHarris.
With more than 62,000 students in credit classes in spring 2010, and a total enrollment of nearly 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the second largest and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. LSCS consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
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