New USU-Moab Nursing Professor Enhances Local Program

Utah State University-Moab strengthened their growing nursing program by hiring Connie Wilson as a Professional Practice Assistant Professor in Nursing. Wilson has over 20 years of nursing clinical experience and 18 years of clinical teaching experience.

“My goal is to pass on the skills I’ve acquired over the years to the next generation of nurses,” said Wilson. “I’ve come to the point in my career where I want to teach more than just how to start an IV or deliver a baby. I want to teach safety, critical thinking, and therapeutic communication.”

Based on projection models of age and population, by the year 2030 Utah is projected to only have 299 registered nurses per 100,000 people. USU’s regional campus system is striving to increase the number of nurses to help create a state with quality care from highly-trained nurses.

Wilson and her family have lived in Moab for 21 years. Wilson says one of USU-Moab’s biggest benefits, along with the other locations, is the outreach to more remote communities. “Every resident in Moab, and other Utah communities, deserve a chance to pursue education beyond high school. I’m excited to do my part to train and prepare the next generation of nurses.”

Wilson experience first-hand the importance of USU-Moab’s nursing program while she worked at Moab Regional Hospital (MRH). “Our hospital would not be functioning at such a high level without the multiple USU nursing students who came to work with us after graduating.” USU-Moab continues to partner with MRH and other healthcare centers to provide students with clinical, hands-on experience.

Wilson will begin teaching this semester and is looking forward to the growth and development of USU-Moab’s nursing program.