Invitation to The Theatre Lab’s Life Stories(R) Program. Response required by June 15th

Dear NPADC Members, 

In recognition of nurse educators, their essential role during the pandemic and their historic and continuing education of and inspiration to students and nurses everywhere, the NLN has declared 2022 the Year of the Nurse Educator!  

As part of its year-long celebration, the NLN is offering exciting opportunities for nurse educators to amplify their voices and promote their vital role in educating nurses to build a stronger and more diverse nursing workforce that advances the health of our nation and the global community.  

The NLN has partnered with the Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts in Washington, DC for a Nurse Educator Life Stories ® Program. This 10-week program is designed to give a cohort of 8 -10 diverse nurse educators a unique platform to develop and share stories based on their lived experience as nurse educators. There will be a selection process and using theatre and improvisation techniques, The Theatre Lab instructors will work closely with these nurse educators to craft stories that elevate their voices.  

The Nurse Educator Life Stories Program® is particularly relevant as The Future of Nursing Report, 2020-2030 requires that nurse educators understand issues of racism and systems of marginalization and engage in critical self-reflection. Nurse educators who participate in this program will demonstrate how being part of an artistic ensemble improves verbal communication skills, critical-thinking, sense of community, self-reflection, and emotional satisfaction from sorting through past experiences both individually and collectively. The process of a life stories program will increase confidence and let nurse educators know they are not alone in the work they do to advance health equity.   

The program, which involves theatrical training to prepare the nurse educators to tell their stories, will run for 10 weeks in-person starting Saturday June 25th. The classes will be held on Saturdays. The Theatre Lab is located at 900 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20001. A final group presentation, with the nurse educators selected for the program, will be performed live on stage at The Theatre Lab in Washington, DC in late August. Footage from the final performance will be edited into a short segment that will be shown at NLN's Annual Education Summit, September 28-30, 2022. Faculty will also be highlighted in NLN’s publications and social media. This will be excellent recognition for schools and for students to see their faculty in this program.

Looking forward to hearing from you! There is a quick turnaround time. Please send me an e-mail with your name, mobile phone number by Wednesday June 15th. Let me know if you have questions. 

Sincerely, 

Sandra Davis, PhD, DPM, ACNP-BC, FAANP l Deputy Director l NLN/Walden University College of Nursing Institute for Social Determinants of Health and Social Change l National League for Nursing l www.nln.org l sdavis@nln.org l Tel: 202-909-2493 l 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037