NATCHITOCHES – Dr. Pamela Simmons, senior director and professor of nursing in the College of Nursing at Northwestern State University, has been re-elected as vice-chair of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Board of Commissioners. Simmons previously served as the board’s secretary.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is an autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education programs and nurse residency and fellowship programs. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and nurse residency programs.
Simmons has been a member of Northwestern State’s nursing faculty for 19 years. Since 2010, she has been senior director and department head in the College of Nursing. Simmons has responsibility for directing the ASN BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, DNP and Post Master’s Certificate programs. She teaches core courses in the graduate program and provides leadership in curriculum development and program effectiveness for the graduate and undergraduate nursing programs. Simmons’ responsibilities also include teaching selected courses in the BSN and RN to BSN and DNP programs. She holds the Ann Splon Coughlin Endowed Professorship.
Her professional career includes administrative, clinical and teaching positions at LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. She has also held nursing positions at Schumpert Medical Center, Physicians and Surgeons Hospital, Nurses T.L.C., Shreveport Regional Dialysis Center and Highland Hospital.
Simmons holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing and a Post Masters Certificate (FNP) from Northwestern State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from Texas Women’s University.
