Lindenwood Magazine - Spring 2026

6 7 SPRING 2026 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD THE LINDENWOOD SPRING 2026 EDITION Students then gain real-world experience through clinical partnerships which allow them to work directly with patients and healthcare teams. The clinical experience offers an opportunity for students to connect classroom learning to practice while being encouraged to reflect on their work. Nursing students are working to not only pass their exams, but to become confident in the field. For Nursing Program Director Meridith Vogeler, doing what is right naturally aligns with the program’s mission. “In nursing, doing what is right means putting patients first, acting with integrity, and remaining accountable for the care we provide even when situations are difficult or uncomfortable,” Vogeler said. “Nurses are trusted with people’s lives during some of their most vulnerable moments, so doing what is right means advocating for patients, protecting safety, communicating honestly, and practicing with compassion and professionalism every single day.” This responsibility held by nurses was central to the multiyear preparation period for the program. Creating a hands-on experience for students guided the process of developing curriculum, creating infrastructure, and selecting faculty. These efforts were further supported by securing clinical partnerships and through donations that contributed to building renovations and equipment. Through its partners and contributors, the nursing program is connected to the region’s broader health system. These connections will suit students as they access resources and opportunities, both in the program and beyond. Students understand the importance of adapting to the rapidly changing healthcare environment. Through in-the-field experience, students have the opportunity to learn firsthand how this is done. DOING WHAT’S In Fall 2025, Lindenwood University welcomed the first cohort students for the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. With a shortage of nurses nationally and regionally, the program promises to prepare students to have an instant impact on the field after they graduate. Lindenwood’s program stands out by preparing students to enter the profession, from their first day in college through graduation. This end-to- end approach requires a hands-on model that empowers students with the judgment, ethical decision-making, and courage needed for real- world practice. To develop these values, Lindenwood’s nursing students gain experience by working in the complex, fast-moving environment that nurses must navigate. The program uses a state-of-the-art facility that was added to the Library and Academic Resources Center. In this setting, students apply concepts in realistic simulations, challenging them to make quick decisions in a controlled environment. Students also prepare for the professional expectations of nursing, learning to communicate effectively with patients and healthcare teams while displaying the leadership required of a compassionate patient advocate. FEATURE STORY FEATURE STORY Right HOW LINDENWOOD NURSING IS REDEFINING CARE By: Dylan Pert-Smith, Communications Manager