The Pulse of IU Nursing
From the Interim Dean
Janet S. CarpenterPhD, RN, FAAN
Friends of the IU School of Nursing,
Welcome to the latest edition of The Pulse newsletter.
For more than a decade, Dr. Sharron Crowder has been a pivotal part of helping IU School of Nursing students bridge the gap between their careers in nursing and their involvement in shaping healthcare policy decisions.
Understanding healthcare policy is crucial in the nursing profession, as it directly impacts patient care, nursing practices, and the overall healthcare system. Through the school’s legislative fellowship at the Indiana Statehouse and the Eagles Health Policy and Advocacy Mentoring Program, dozens of IU School of Nursing students have gained critical experience in the art of legislative influence.
In this month’s edition of The Pulse, we share the stories of our students, alumni, and donors who are making a difference in healthcare policy. I hope these stories inspire you and provide a deeper understanding of the vital role nurses can play in shaping the future of health policy.
On June 2 and 3, 2025, the IU School of Nursing will host “The Policy Academy: Navigating the New Realities of Health Policy” on the campus of IU Indianapolis and virtually. I hope you can join us as we equip the next generation of nurse leaders with the skills and action plans necessary to impact health policy through advocacy.
IU School of Nursing students soar through graduate school and beyond as Eagles
Sharron Crowder, PhD'12, RN, ATSF, FAAN, began the Eagles Health Policy and Advocacy Mentoring Program in 2014 as a way for graduate nursing students to stay connected with health policy efforts and continue to learn even after earning their degree.
Find out how Eagles continue to impact health policy
Graduate students learn hands-on health advocacy skills through legislative fellowship
Jennifer Alwine, BSN’20, RN, had a passion for taking action to promote people’s health but wasn’t sure how to use her voice and knowledge to help shape policies until she became a legislative fellow.
Learn more about the legislative fellowships
Caring: That's the Sullivans' Policy
Cheryl Sullivan, PhD, CAE, FAAN, learned about the effect of policy while still a teenager. She describes a feeling of awe at witnessing how one person in Congress could do so much to influence change in policy.
Discover how policy has inspired professional contributions