Meet Dr. Sandra Solem: Nurse, Professor, and Role Model

By: Paige Hogan
Posted In: News

She’s traveled the country studying the science of nursing and sharing it with others.

Sandra Solem has been a full time chair and distinct member of Salve Regina’s faculty since the fall of 2002. Since coming to Salve she’s immersed herself into the community and has taken her love and extensive knowledge of nursing to better the department.

Some acknowledgments Dr. Solem has received in her career include a Sigma Theta Tau Award for Nursing Excellence, the Irene S. Palmer Honor for Academic Excellence, as well as the Nurse’s Lamp Award.

Dr. Sandra Solem is also the advisor of Salve’s Student Nursing Organization that serves the Newport community with concern to health related issues.

Solem’s varied experiences in and out of the field have worked to inform the nursing students of the many benefits and necessities of the nursing career. Her personality is one of friendliness, intellect, and a drive to impel excellence in the students she works so closely with.

Her story is one of success, experience, and surely stands as a model of achievement many nurses would hope to attain.

When and how did you come into the nursing career?

I began studying nursing sciences at Montana State University, and through a four-year program, graduated with a bachelor’s degree and nursing license.

From there, I spent about 10 years in the field as a clinical nurse and decided to work on my master’s degree in order to make myself more marketable. I attained my master’s from the University of San Diego in 1984. It was then I discovered I would like to try teaching the nursing sciences.

What did your work in the field consist of?

My first clinical job was working in a Montana Neonatal ICU with high risk infants. After that I worked in a hospital in Oregon, and later moved to San Francisco and worked in a hospital there. My husband is a naval officer, so we’re on the go a lot, but I don’t mind, I embrace change.

So, at the hospital in San Francisco I went into a managerial position and became somewhat of a Head Nurse. I had 6 nurses under me, and the hospital in itself was 600 beds.

I was in charge of the respiratory unit. After that we moved to Washington D.C., and I was able to get a job at the National Institute of Health. There, I worked with patients who had undergone open heart surgery.

What did your teaching experience consist of?

My first teaching job was at the University of Hawaii. I was there for about 2 years. I then worked at Maric College in San Diego, and it was then I decided I’d prefer a smaller religious university.

That’s when I found Point Loma Nazarene University, and there I undertook my first department chair position. Not many students know, but I actually came to Salve first in the 90’s. I left to finish my PhD, and returned as a chair about a year and a half ago.

What does the nursing program at Salve include and what can the nursing students expect to graduate with?

There are two forms of nursing programs at Salve. One, of which incoming freshman must be accepted into, considering cumulative grade average, and other criteria. This is a four year program that contains its own nursing core and specific curriculum that must be completed in four years. The students completing this form of study will graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree.

In order to practice nursing, however, the students at the end of four years must pass the NCLEX exam to receive a license and become a registered nurse. At Salve, in order to best prepare our students for this exam we encourage academic excellence.

To ensure that students are staying focused and understanding material all nursing students must maintain a 2.7 GPA, and can not receive any grade lower than a C in their required nursing classes.

The second form of nursing study is for applicants who have received their degree, have a nursing license and intend on attaining their Master’s in nursing. This course is over 18 months, in which 2 courses must be taken every 8 weeks.

What would you say are some characteristics a nursing student should maintain?

A strong foundation and understanding in the science. They should be organized and disciplined. Most importantly, they should have a desire to work with a variety of people from all walks of life.

What would you say is the outlook for nursing in the future, and especially for Salve nursing graduates?

I can confidently say that these graduates will be able to work anywhere nationwide. There is an absolute nursing shortage, which will not change any time soon.

This is a career of opportunity, and flexibility. As long as the intellect is developed and the trade is properly learned, the benefits for nursing graduates are innumerable.