We recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Safiya George, Dean and Professor of Florida Atlantic University’s College of Nursing. 

<p>
  We recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Safiya George, Dean and
  Professor of Florida Atlantic University&rsquo;s College of Nursing. Dean
  George shared about her pathway to nursing academia and about how we can all
  encourage equity in healthcare and diversity and inclusion in the workforce.
</p>

<p>
  This Q&amp;A with Dean George further enriches our ongoing partnership with
  FAU&rsquo;s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. In collaboration with FAU,
  we co-host an engaging
  <a href="https://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/blogs/presentations"
    >webinar series</a
  >, which covers topics like promoting diversity in nursing, overcoming
  compassion fatigue, using technology in healthcare, and battling COVID on the
  frontlines. In addition the webinar series, we&rsquo;ve also established
  <a
    href="https://ir.crosscountryhealthcare.com/news-releases/news-release-details/cross-country-healthcare-establishes-scholarship-fund-faus"
    >The Cross Country Healthcare Scholarship Fund</a
  >, which provides annual scholarships and helps fund educational and research
  opportunities for students attending the College of Nursing for a minimum of
  four years.
</p>

<h2>Q&amp;A with Dean Safiya George, PhD</h2>

<h3>Q:&nbsp; How did you get started in academia?</h3>

<p>
  A:&nbsp; As a young girl, I had an interest in teaching the neighborhood kids
  in my mock classroom in my backyard, and then in college, I thoroughly enjoyed
  tutoring chemistry. My name means wisdom, and so I have always felt the
  responsibility of doing my best in order to be able to share my knowledge with
  others. After completing my PhD at Emory University and Postdoctoral
  Fellowship at Duke University, I was eager to join the nursing faculty at
  Emory University. Since then, I also taught at the University of Alabama
  before joining our beloved Florida Atlantic University.
</p>

<h3>
  Q:&nbsp; We heard a rumor that you are one of the youngest deans in the
  country! Can you confirm? How does this make you feel?
</h3>

<p>
  Well, I&rsquo;m fairly confident that this was true when I assumed the
  deanship in 2019 at 40 years old. However, by now, there might be other
  40-year-olds now beginning their deanships, so I am not sure. I continue to be
  humbled by this opportunity and by the strengths, skills, and talents that I
  have been blessed with that have enabled me to be very successful throughout
  my life and career. I started nursing school at age 15, completed my BSN at
  age 18, and became a registered nurse at age 19, so by now, I am used to being
  among the youngest in academic and professional settings. It keeps me humble
  and grateful.
</p>

<h3>
  Q:&nbsp; Recently, the conversation within many organizations has been about
  equity and inclusion, and the things that we&#39;re doing to encourage it. How
  do you think these conversations could impact the profession, for example, by
  potentially increasing the number of African Americans and other
  underrepresented groups within the healthcare profession?
</h3>

<p>
  A:&nbsp; I believe that by now, most leaders in the healthcare field/industry
  recognize that there is a dire need to have a healthcare workforce that
  resembles the population that we care for. There are many benefits to the
  patient for doing so, including helping to close the gap in health disparities
  and inequities in access to care and healthcare delivery. Conversation is one
  thing, but the results are definitely in the doing and will only be achieved
  if funding and investment are also part of the comprehensive effort.
</p>

<h3>
  Q:&nbsp; Do hospitals have a role in promoting equity? Do nurses? How can they
  help promote equity?
</h3>

<p>
  A:&nbsp; Yes, hospitals have a role in promoting equitable access to
  high-quality care for all patients, equity in position opportunities, and
  compensation and equity in who gets invited to a seat at the table where
  important decisions are made.
</p>

<h3>
  Q: Do you have any thoughts on the lack of diversity in the CNO role? Do you
  have any perspective on what the industry can do to encourage nurses of color
  to consider this as a career path? (Source:
  <a
    href="https://www.advisory.com/en/daily-briefing/2020/06/25/black-cno"
    target="_blank"
    >https://www.advisory.com/en/daily-briefing/2020/06/25/black-cno</a
  >)
</h3>

<p>
  A:&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t really have a definitive perspective other than the
  lack of diversity in the CNO role mirrors the lack of diversity in upper
  administration in most sectors in our country. More scholarships to support
  educational attainment for nurses of color in nursing, advanced practice
  nursing, healthcare administration/nursing administration, and also mentorship
  programs to prepare for nursing management and CNO roles would likely be
  helpful and encouraging.
</p>

<h3>Q:&nbsp; Any words you would like to share about Black History Month?</h3>

<p>
  A:&nbsp; I appreciate the opportunity to share a few thoughts and
  perspectives, especially with Cross Country, who is a great partner, supporter
  of nursing education, and stellar example of an organization helping to
  address the nursing shortage.
</p>

<h2>About Dean Safiya George, Ph.D.</h2>

<p>
  Safiya George, Dean of FAU&rsquo;s College of Nursing, earned her Ph.D. and
  MSN degrees from Emory University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at
  Duke University in religion and health. She is only the third dean to be
  appointed in the college&rsquo;s 40-year history. George previously served as
  a member of the faculty at Emory University&rsquo;s Nell Hodgson Woodruff
  School of Nursing until she was recruited in 2015 to the Capstone College of
  Nursing at the University of Alabama, where she has served as assistant dean
  for research, director of the Office of Scholarly Affairs, and a member of the
  advisory board of the Alabama Life Research Institute. She also has served as
  faculty in the Honors College and faculty-in-residence for residential honors
  students at the University of Alabama.
</p>

<h2>Don&rsquo;t Miss Our Upcoming Webinar</h2>

<p>
  Please join us for the next Cross Country Healthcare and FAU College of
  Nursing webinar, Mental Health Toll of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers.
  <a
    href="https://crosscountry.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vNHfMNgFQ7OwTB5Dj66p3A"
    target="_blank"
    >Register here</a
  >
  to attend this March 11 event, where you&rsquo;ll learn about signs and
  symptoms to watch for, intervention techniques, and tools to help train future
  nurses who may be facing similar challenges.
</p>


Dean Safiya George, Ph.D., MSN, on Academia, Healthcare Equity, and Access to Care