Author Description

About the Author Karen M. Burke, RN, MS Karen M. Burke is the Education Consultant for the Oregon State Board of Nursing. She obtained her initial nursing education at Emanuel Hospital School of Nursing in Portland, Oregon, later completing baccalaureate studies at Oregon Health & Sciences University, and a master's degree at University of Portland. Ms. Burke has extensive clinical nursing experience in acute care and community-based settings, as well as more than 20 years of experience as a nurse educator and program administrator. As a nurse educator, Ms. Burke is known as a leader and an innovator. She led the faculty of an associate degree nursing program in developing an online program to deliver nursing education to a distant rural community. Ms. Burke is actively involved in nursing education in Oregon, participating in the development of an educational consortium of a public university and local community colleges to deliver a common baccalaureate degree nursing curriculum around the state. She also is actively involved in the Oregon Nursing Leadership Council Education Committee, helping identify strategies to recruit and retain nursing faculty, develop innovative clinical models, and provide policy guidelines for use by all nursing education programs in the state. In addition, Ms. Burke is working with nursing leaders and educators to identify and develop strategic plans to more effectively educate and use practical nurses (LPNs) in Oregon. As education consultant to the Board, she works directly with new and existing practical and registered nursing programs to promote and maintain current and high-quality nursing education for the citizens of Oregon. Ms. Burke strongly values the nursingprofession and believes in the importance of a strong education in the art and science of nursing for all students entering the profession. She believes that her diverse experience as a nursing student, clinical nurse, and nurse educator and administrator has prepared her