"Within our student population, I find many students who are the first person in their family to achieve a Baccalaureate degree. These students of The College of New Rochelle are truly remarkable!" Dr. Joan Arnold Professor of Nursing School of Nursing The College of New Rochelle

Dr. Arnold, where did you obtain your degrees?

I received my undergraduate degree from Columbia University and my Masters in Nursing Education from New York University. I also received my Ph.D. in Nursing Research and Theory Development in Nursing Sciences from New York University. The title of my doctoral degree was:
A Reconceptualization of the Concept of Grief for Nursing: A Philosophical Analysis.  

Here at The College of New Rochelle what is your main teaching focus?

The primary course I teach is the final theory and clinical course in our Undergraduate Program for Registered Nurse students entitled “Community Health Nursing.” This is an eight-credit course and the culminating course for RN students completing the BSN. I also view the course as a bridge to the Master’s degree in many ways because it is an intensive theoretical (60 hours) and clinical (180 hours) course.

Students conduct a complete assessment of a geographic community and analyze the community’s health strengths, risks and problems. They also identify partnerships in the community advocating for community health and the health and well being of members of the community. Interventions to improve the health of the community and its members are developed in conjunction with these community partners.

Students also create PowerPoint presentations on environmental health issues and concerns and write global health alerts about pressing social, political, economic, and environmental worldwide health topics.  

Additionally, the RN students select clinical agency experiences for achieving their personal and professional objectives about community health care. The overall thrust of Community Health Nursing is enhancement of the health of populations and particular aggregates in communities as well as caring for the whole community as a client, locally and globally.

Periodically I teach an elective with Dr. Nancy Gonchar, a faculty member in the Department of Social Work, entitled “Team Building.” This is an undergraduate elective course open to all majors.

What is your special area of professional interest beyond the classroom, Dr. Arnold?

My special area of clinical interest is grief. I consult with the New York City Sudden Infant Death Office/MHRA, New York State Center for Sudden Infant Death. I also make home visits to bereaved families, provide telephone support, teach about infant mortality risk reduction and develop bereavement literature for parents on the death of an infant as well as make presentations locally, nationally, and internationally. I chair the Research Committee for the Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs.  

Can you tell us something about the types of students who attend the School of Nursing?

We have three tracks of students in our Undergraduate Program: generic, second degree, and Registered Nurse students. I work with the RN students.

They are men and women who are diverse in every imaginable way. They represent various cultures in the world and come from all age groups. Many of the students currently hold positions of responsibility in their chosen profession as Registered Professional Nurses. Quite a few of our students have children, some are grandparents, and a few are taking care of their own parents. Almost all hold full-time positions as nurses.

They come to The College of New Rochelle to acquire the Baccalaureate of Science degree in Nursing and many of these students want the BSN as a doorway to the Master’s degree and advance practice in nursing programs. Within our student population, I find many students who are the first person in their family to achieve a Baccalaureate degree. These students of The College of New Rochelle are truly remarkable!

You are also actively involved as a volunteer with organizations beyond the College. What are some of those responsibilities?

I serve on several Boards including the Nurses Educational Funds, the Columbia University-Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association, and the Executive Committee of the Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs.

And, of course, you are engaged as a writer of scholarship in your field.

Yes, that is true. I write books, professional journal articles, and speak at conferences and professional meetings about infant death, family grief, and bereavement support. My most recent publication is Health Promotion in Practice, a book I co-edited for Jossey-Bass of San Francisco. While all of my research and professional activities keep me busy, my students at the School of Nursing are my first priority and my most important responsibility.