Osborn Earns Doctorate in Nursing Practice

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Chastity Osborn, Lakeview College of Nursing Dean, recently completed her doctorate in nursing practice.

DANVILLE , IL (06/10/2015)(readMedia)-- Chastity Osborn, dean of nursing at Lakeview College of Nursing, recently completed a doctorate degree in nursing practice (DNP) from Capella University, a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited on-line program.

Osborn, who began this degree in January of 2013, decided to pursue it in order to increase her knowledge as a professional nurse. She said, "Looking back I know it was to stay competitive and knowledgeable in nursing practice. The DNP was the perfect way for me to align and achieve that goal."

"Sexually Transmitted Disease Education for Adolescents" is the title and subject of Osborn's required dissertation for the degree. She focused her research distinctly in Vermilion County. "Our future is in the investment of our adolescent population. If we can empower adolescents to make healthier, more educated sexual behavior choices for themselves now, we can establish strong leaders for our future."

Osborn's work on this topic will be published on Friday, June 12, 2015, through Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) using the Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library. Osborn mentioned that she enjoys opportunities to present her research and has already done so locally as well as at a national conference. "I would like to continue presenting STI education to adolescents to foster adolescent empowerment," explained Osborn.

Her future goals are fueled by her passion for the nursing profession and higher education. Osborn is looking forward to staying in her role as dean of nursing for Lakeview. She said, "I want to continue to express the vision of the College in a way that inspires faculty, staff, and students. I plan to continue to deliver exceptional nurses to the community at large."

Osborn has several years of experience healthcare. She has worked as a psychiatric tech and a certified ophthalmic assistant prior to nursing. As a nurse, she has worked in the fields of OB, internal medicine, sales and marketing, convenient care, and as a nurse educator. She said, "In all these healthcare fields I have always been a preceptor and mentor to incoming staff. This is where I knew that I would have my passion fulfilled, as an educator."

Enthusiastically, Osborn added, "This passion, that many call "work", would not have been possible without the guidance of my late aunt Audrey Ross and my family. Their guidance and support has been invaluable. Together, they pushed my boundaries, respected my decision, and supported my vision. God really knew what he was doing when he placed them in my life."

Prior to taking the post of dean for Lakeview College of Nursing Osborn taught several courses and served as the College's health record compliance coordinator. She has been a clinical and/or lab instructor for the foundations of nursing course, a health assessment course, and an obstetrics nursing course. She has also either taught and/or coordinated course material for an RN orientation course, gerontological nursing, palliative care nursing, community health nursing, and nursing research. Osborn joined the College as an instructor in 2010.

Osborn received a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Lakeview College of Nursing in 2004 and Master of Science in nursing degree, with a specialty in nursing education, from the University of Phoenix in 2010.

She resides in Danville, Illinois, with her husband, Dave, and two children; Mayce and Cale.