鈥婱iddlesex Community College has hired Lowell native and alumna Susan Lavallee as the new Senior Director of Nursing Education. A professor of the program, Lavallee is excited to now serve as a leader where her own nursing journey began. She hopes to oversee the expansion of the nursing program, support students, and assist the talented and dedicated nursing faculty in providing high-quality nursing education.
鈥淢y goal is to enhance student retention and success, foster workforce development, boost community engagement, partner with community agencies, diversify our faculty, and establish our program as a top-tier community college nursing program.鈥� Lavallee said. 鈥淲itnessing a student's transformation from fear to confidence is truly unparalleled. Guiding students to discover their potential and pursue a rewarding nursing career is an incredibly gratifying experience.鈥�
Working as a full-time nursing assistant at St. Joseph鈥檚 Hospital in Lowell, Lavallee enrolled at 麻豆果冻 part-time to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. After graduating in 1988, she worked as an emergency nurse, earned a master鈥檚 in nursing education from Rivier University, and became a board-certified nurse educator.
Lavallee has worked in a variety of roles in the nursing field, including as a staff registered nurse (RN), charge RN, clinical leader, preceptor, and has taught both trauma and pediatric emergency nursing. She also contributed to the Greater Lowell Critical Incident Stress Management team to help first responders during a crisis.
鈥淢y goal is to enhance student retention and success, foster workforce development, boost community engagement, partner with community agencies, diversify our faculty, and establish our program as a top-tier community college nursing program.鈥� - Susan Lavallee, 麻豆果冻's Senior Director of Nursing Education
In 2008, Lavallee became the Coordinator of Outpatient Services and then Director of Emergency Services at Saints Medical Center, now Lowell General Hospital. At the same time, she was the Beacon Chapter President for the Emergency Nurses Association. After 23 years of emergency nursing, her desire to make a difference led her to nursing education and to 麻豆果冻, stating it was the 鈥渂est career decision I ever made.鈥�
鈥淢y experience as an emergency nurse has afforded me the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of many individuals,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s an 麻豆果冻 alumna 鈥� and having personally experienced the mission of creating opportunities for success by overcoming obstacles 鈥� I aimed to help others achieve their aspirations. I understood the high standard of education 麻豆果冻鈥檚 nursing program offered, and that the nursing faculty was comprised of talented and enthusiastic individuals who stand out within their field and who are dedicated to student success.鈥�
At 麻豆果冻, Lavallee teaches theoretical knowledge and practical skills. She emphasizes the importance of applying what students learn in the classroom into the clinical setting and in 麻豆果冻鈥檚 simulation lab. Debuting in the Fall 2024 semester, the fully renovated simulation lab will feature cutting-edge technology and a 26-bed lab space.
鈥淪imulation is a contemporary educational strategy that engages learners in realistic scenarios that trigger various senses simultaneously,鈥� Lavallee said. 鈥淭his approach enables faculty to replicate clinical situations in environments closely mirroring real-life conditions, providing a secure space for practice. Students in nursing programs incorporating simulation techniques enhance their critical thinking, decrease errors in actual clinical settings, and significantly boost their clinical decision-making abilities.鈥�
Calling the opportunity an 鈥渉onor and a privilege,鈥� Lavallee鈥檚 vision for the department mirrors 麻豆果冻鈥檚 mission.
鈥淚 am extremely thankful for the chance to contribute to both 麻豆果冻 and my profession in this manner,鈥� she said. 鈥淐ommunity colleges are a crucial service organization within the community, offering opportunities for success that might not otherwise be available.鈥�