2012 Outstanding University Teacher Award Winner Category II
Lynn S. Kennell, M.S.
- M.S. in Maternal Child Nursing from Northern Illinois University (1983)
- Instructional Assistant Professor, Mennonite College of Nursing
Teaching philosophy
I believe in creating an atmosphere in the clinical and classroom settings that is intellectually stimulating, caring and committed, and challenges students to become compassionate, competent nurses who will be leaders in advocating for the vulnerable persons they serve.
My motivation to teach
Comes from a strong desire to teach young and older adults from various backgrounds the ideals of the art and science that is nursing and to foster in them a passion for holistic nursing care that makes a difference in the lives of those whom they serve.
Most important teaching influence
Kathleen Hogan, RN, EdD, served as my mentor. She had very high standards for student achievement and believed in and encouraged me in my journey as a nurse educator. She introduced me to Dr. Simone Roach’s theory of caring in nursing that has been my mantra for nursing education over the last 25 years and involves the 5 “C”s: confidence, commitment, conscience, compassion, and competence.
My students would say
I hope they would say that I “set the bar high” for learning and achievement and will support them in achieving these goals, and they would actually say I am patient, kind, understanding, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable.
Best compliments from a student
“I hope to be as good a nurse as you when I am in practice” and “Thank you for taking time to help me understand these calculations and concepts in a way that stays with me.”
