Faculty Spotlight: Rodger Lewerenz- Passionate about nursing education
by Jessica Degnan |
Rodger Lewerenz is an assistant professor for the UAA School of Nursing, dedicated to mentoring future nurses and nurse educators. He teaches in both the BSN and MSN programs and serves on several School of Nursing committees. Passionate about the MSN Leadership in Education offering, he helps prepare future nurse educators with the skills to lead in both academic and clinical settings.
With nearly two decades of clinical education experience, Rodger brings invaluable expertise to his students, inspiring them to grow into confident nursing professionals. He shares what makes the MSN Leadership in Education offering so impactful: "Imagine shaping the future of nursing—both at the bedside and in the classroom. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on Leadership and Education prepares you to do just that. Whether you're passionate about mentoring new nurses in clinical settings or preparing the next generation in academia, this degree equips you with the skills to lead, teach, and inspire. You'll gain expertise in curriculum development, evidence-based teaching strategies, and leadership principles that drive innovation and improve patient outcomes. In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, nurse educators and leaders are more critical than ever. With an MSN in Leadership and Education, you won’t just be part of the change—you’ll lead it."
Name: Rodger Lewerenz
Title: Assistant Professor
Unit: School of Nursing
Hometown: Anchorage
How long have you worked at UAA/in this position?: Since January 2023
Tell us about your job:
I teach in both the BSN and Graduate nursing programs. I am also on several SON committees, including co-chair of the BSN Curriculum committee. I teach the Fundamental of the Nursing Profession: Theory course as well as several courses in the MSN Nurse Leader-Education option.
What do you love the most about your work?:
I love the interaction with the students in both programs. It is wonderful to be able to guide them on their way to becoming nurses and educators. Both programs are enjoyable in their own way. I like teaching the initial course in the BSN program to help set the tone and then being able to pass on my knowledge and experience in the Nurse Leader-Educator MSN option.
How do you contribute to student success?:
I hope my knowledge, experience, and insights about nursing inspire students to do well in their respective programs.
What is the most common question you receive at work?:
Do you like what you do?
What was your personal and/or professional journey that led you to working at UAA?:
I always knew that I wanted to teach (even before I attended nursing school), but I always thought that I would stay in the clinical setting teaching continuing education to staff in the hospital. I did this for almost 20 years at Providence. I had the opportunity to come over to UAA a few years ago and now wish that I had done it sooner. I love what I do.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment while working here at UAA?:
Helping students on their way to becoming nurses. I love to see the light come on when they suddenly understand a topic or concept that I am teaching.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?:
I really didn't know, I spent a lot of years trying different things out before I got to nursing via pre-hospital medicine (being an EMT).
What advice would you give to youth interested in pursuing a career in your field?:
Follow your dreams! Nursing is such a diverse, interesting, and rewarding career. You can go anywhere and find a job and there are so many different areas to work in that you can find something that fits you.
What is your favorite Alaska activity or other hobbies? What do you love about them?:
I love to spend time with my wife and our dogs. We travel a bit around the state in the summer and we both love to read.
Who inspired or continues to inspire you and why?:
My mom is a nurse and an inspiration to me, as is Judy Petersen, one of my primary faculty instructors when I attended the AAS nursing program in the early 90s.
What is your favorite quote? Why?:
Come to the Edge (Christopher Logue)
Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It’s too high!
COME TO THE EDGE!
And they came,
And he pushed,
And they flew.
This is so meaningful in the context of being an educator.