Service

Service

School of Nursing

Dr Avallone served as Associate Dean Baccalaureate Programs from May 2020 through May 2024. Prior to that time, she  served as Program Director for Traditional Prelicensure Programs from 2015-2018 then Program Director for Prelicensure programs (ABS and Traditional), beginning in the Fall of 2019. She continued to also serve as prelicensure program director through Fall 2021 until the onboarding of a new Prelicensure program Director in Fall 2021.  

Responsibilities include:

  • Strategic planning for the Baccalaureate programs, including Traditional, ABS, and RN-BSN
  • Collaboration with campus colleagues including Dean of Students, Admissions, Office of Disability Services, and Title IX office. 
  • Collaborating with RN-BSN Program Director on operations and plans. 
  • Oversight of the daily operations of the prelicensure baccalaureate program
  • Collaborating with the SNC CARES Team on student related advising and progression issues,
  • Collaborating with the SNC CARES Team and external practice partners (Virtua, Cooper) on clinical programmatic issues and initiatives to strengthen academic practice partnerships
  • Collaborate and mentor faculty who regularly teach in courses to continuously improve program quality.
  • Oversight of  Course Coordinators (traditional, ABS) to address course related issues.
    • Revised the Course coordination guidelines and clinical course coordinator responsibilities which was approved by the Faculty Organization. 
  • Plan course and faculty scheduling each semester in collaboration with the Dean, Senior Associate Dean.
  • Present programmatic outcome data to the Dean and Faculty Organization per the SEP.
  • Lead major initiatives in curriculum development, assessment, mapping, and evaluation for the Traditional and ABS.
  • Developed a Theory Qualtrics report to collect course evaluations every semester for CCNE accreditation and review by the Baccalaureate Curriculum Committee and the Graduate Curriculum Committee.
  • Collaborate with the Dean, Senior Associate Dean, Scholastic Standing Committee, Admissions Office regarding recruitment, retention, and revising admission criteria and admission applications to the SNC.
  • Collaborate with Admissions office and School of Nursing staff and faculty  to coordinate admission events including open houses, admitted students days, and orientation events. 

2021-ongoing Student Success Program:
Developed and implemented a multifaceted student success program for prelicensure students.

  • Developed and implemented the Nurse Student Success Coach program. Hired coach and directed program.
  • Revised the job description for course assistants to provide additional course-level student supports.
  • Led development of policies in SSRC to mandate remediation for course failures and ATI failures.
  • Facilitated nearly 100% compliance in Progress reporting through Navigate (Raptor Connect) in School 57.
  • Implemented TEAS testing in pre-freshman cohort to identify at-risk students.
  • Collaborated with Student Success office to offer Freshman Bridge course and other resources to support incoming freshman.
  • Designed and implemented Junior Bridge to Success program to decrease junior attrition and close equity gaps in URM students.

2022-2023 Chair, NTT Promotions and Reappointment committee

2023-2023 Collaborated with Cooper University Hospital to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing:

  • 25% tuition discount per undergraduate credit in the RSNC RN-BS online program
  • Cooper and RSNC collaboration in clinical experiences, recruitment of clinical instructors, and employment opportunities for RSNC students.

2023-2023 “Day in the Life of a Nurse: Know your Why”. Collaborated with Cooper University Nursing to develop a panel discussion highlighting examples of nursing courage, compassion, commitment. Audience: Students, faculty, and staff RSNC. Part of the 50 years of Rutgers-Camden Nursing celebration activities.

2022-ongoing Chair, Faculty Search committee

2020-ongoing Scholastic Standing Recruitment and Retention committee

2020-ongoing Baccalaureate Curriculum Committee

COVID-19 Initiatives: Since Mar 2020, Dr Avallone  implemented multiple initiatives to meet programmatic outcomes in a remote environment. 

  • Development of online clinical plans: Mar. 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in closure of clinical sites, I worked with Course Coordinators to develop online clinical plans that would meet course and programmatic objectives.
  • ATI Clinical replacement plan for graduating seniors: I worked with ATI to develop a plan for graduating seniors using Medical Surgical Real-Life Clinical Scenarios (RLCS), developing assignments based on simulation science with prework, simulation, and reflection. 
  • Successfully planned for return to Campus Fall 2021:  Worked with Campus and School Administration, staff, advisors, faculty, and students to develop and implement plans for safe return to campus, including modalities for remote testing. 
  • Developed online orientation program: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the SNC was unable to offer new student in-person orientation for Freshman, Sophomore transfers, Junior transfers, and ABS admits. In collaboration with Mikaela Maria and the Office of New Student programs, we have developed a self-paced, online modular orientation through Canvas to  onboard into  the SNC and the campus.
  •  Boot Camp: Due to the abrupt termination of clinical experiences in Mar 2020 and online clinicals during the summer, I identified the need for a Boot Camp for all students returning to live clinical practice. I worked closely with the Director of Simulation Services, Administrative staff, faculty, SNC CARES, Events, and the Office of Wellness to plan and implement. 260 students participated in the boot camp over 6 days in August,  supported by SNC Staff, full-time faculty, and part-time clinical instructors and course assistants, staffing 72 skill stations (12 stations per day). The boot camp was delivered using CDC guidelines for social distancing and infection prevention measures.
  • SARS-COV-2 testing: Worked with Dr Patricia Prior and representatives from New Brunswick to set up 2-step COVID testing for all students who would be entering clinical practice. (n= 260).
  • Realignment of Course Assistant support: In recognition of the challenges that learners experience in an online environment, I developed a proposal for a realignment and expansion of Course assistance to provide support for student learners in Fall 2020. 

Camden Campus service

2021-2023 Data Equity Committee

2021-2021 Dean of Students Search Committee

2019-2020 Chancellors Faculty Awards Review Committee

2018-2022 Teaching Evaluation Committee (TEC)

University Service

2019-ongoing University Assessment Council on Learning Outcomes

2018-2021 University Faculty Senate

2018-2021 Instruction, Curricula, and Advising Committee

 

Service to the Community:

Northgate II, City of Camden. Collaborate with Fairshare Support Services and Rowan Institute for Successful Aging to improve health outcomes for older disadvantaged residents in affordable housing. 2018-ongoing

Joseph House, City of Camden: Provide monthly food donations and casseroles to homeless residents. 2020-ongoing

Vaccine centers Camden County College mega site and Camden Kroc center- bimonthly volunteer and supervision of nursing students 2020

Deployed Active-duty service members 2016-present