Davidson has 15 years of experience in teaching, research and administration in nursing and more than 15 years as a bedside obstetrical nurse. She is a certified nurse educator.
Davidson holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from AdventHealth University and a master’s degree in nursing education from Walden University. She holds a doctorate in nursing science from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
What are the reasons behind the nursing shortage?
The aging population is a big reason, with retiring nurses projected to create more than 203,000 job openings in the field from now until 2031. COVID-19, of course, also played a part. At the height of the pandemic, staff shortages were the highest I’ve ever seen them, causing stress and burnout that never completely went away. It’s much better now than it was, but we still feel those lasting effects.
How has the rise of travel nurse agencies impacted the industry in Arkansas?
And how can we keep more nurses in the state? Travel nursing helps offset the ongoing nursing shortage and will likely remain a vital part of the nursing industry moving forward. I see the allure, of course, but even so, travel nursing provides a lack of stability and limited opportunity to build relationships with co-workers and patients. However, travel nursing only makes up a small portion of the nursing workforce. To keep nurses in Arkansas, we have to first consider why so many nurses are drawn to travel nursing in the first place. It not only provides flexibility, but also the chance to see new places, learn new skills and meet new people. After the pandemic, that seemed ideal. If we want to compete with those perks, we need to accommodate those needs, providing our nurses with the ability to take time off to enjoy themselves and do the things they’ve always wanted to do.
Exactly how is the UA Little Rock School of Nursing addressing the nursing shortage?
This is one of our biggest priorities. The university recently received a nearly $1 million grant from the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas Linking Industry to Growing Nurses program to attract and retain more nurses in the state. Through the grant, our nursing students will now have access to student retention specialists to help guide them through and finish their programs successfully, as well as ensure that our graduates are well-prepared for their careers. The grant also allows the School of Nursing to purchase a new high-fidelity manikin for the Center for Simulation Innovation, which will enhance students’ training and better prepare them for real-world scenarios. In addition, $100,000 in student scholarships will be distributed to 20 nursing students so they can graduate with little to no debt. Not only does this alleviate the financial burden that comes with earning a degree, but it also incentivizes students to begin their careers in the state.
What are the greatest misconceptions held by the public about the field of nursing as a profession?
One misconception is that nursing doesn’t require as much schooling as other careers in the medical field, when, in fact, higher education is essential to keep up with medical advancements. In the nursing industry, you have to constantly seek out knowledge and a deeper understanding. Otherwise, you get left behind. Nursing school isn’t just for young people either. People of all ages can successfully complete nursing school and go into fulfilling nursing careers, bringing with them prior career skills, life experience, maturity and patience that some younger students might lack. One of my favorite things about UA Little Rock is its dedication to nontraditional students. It’s never too late.
How are you attracting students to the nursing program?
New students are primarily attracted to our program because of its career readiness. Our nationally ranked nursing program prepares students to be skilled, compassionate and prepared. This makes them excellent candidates for employment because they leave this program with extensive, hands-on experience and connections. There are several aspects that make this program so attractive to students and employers, many of which are supported by the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. With the foundation’s support, we have been able to create our state-of-the-art Center for Simulation Innovation. As one of the most innovative simulation health care facilities in the South, the center not only provides students with extensive hands-on learning opportunities, but it effectively prepares them for their future in the profession as well. The success of the School of Nursing is directly tied to their investment in us from the get-go, really, and it includes generous scholarships, too. Between those and university scholarships like the Trojan Guarantee and Half-Off Scholarship, our nursing students are able to focus on their studies without financial stresses. Beyond that, the employer partnerships make our program really attractive to new students. Multiple partnerships across the state give existing nurses the opportunity to earn a graduate degree at a fraction of the usual cost, driving experienced, ambitious nurses to the graduate school and offsetting the cost of pursuing higher education.
How has nursing education changed since you went through your initial nursing school?
I earned my bachelor’s degree in 2006, and there certainly wasn’t as much technology involved then as there is now. CSI, for instance, has made all the difference in teaching students proper patient care and bedside manner. Our 10,000-SF facility offers 12 virtual reality headsets for simulation scenarios and 13 EchoMask manikin face skins for experience “treating” patients of different ages, genders, races and ethnicities. Our students have spent over 87,000 hours in the center using this equipment in the past three years, and we’ve seen a remarkable improvement in their confidence levels and their test scores since.
What are the benefits of graduate nursing education?
The benefits are endless, and I would encourage anyone to pursue graduate nursing education, particularly those who are interested in higher-level positions, specialization opportunities and research opportunities.
Sign up for Daily E-news
