Judith McFetridge-Durdle, dean and professor at the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador School of Nursing in Canada, has been named dean of the Florida State University College of Nursing, starting Dec. 2.
McFetridge-Durdle, who has been in her current position since 2009, has an extensive background in nursing education and practice at universities and hospitals in the United States and Canada. She is currently collaborating with nurse scientists at Jilin University in China to develop and test interventions to reduce the impact of stress on the vascular system.
She earned a doctorate in nursing at the University of Florida in Gainesville, along with master’s and bachelor’s of nursing degrees from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in behavioral medicine at Duke University.
McFetridge-Durdle was a professor of nursing at Dalhousie University, Duke University, the University of Florida and the University of North Florida. She served as a registered nurse at North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.; Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Dawson Memorial Hospital in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia; Stadacona Military Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia; and the Izaac Walton Killam Hospital for Children in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“Dr. McFetridge-Durdle comes to us with a wealth of educational leadership, practical nursing experience and a track record of funded research in both Canada and the United States,” said Garnett S. Stokes, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are looking forward to her taking the helm at Florida State’s College of Nursing later this year.”
The university conducted an extensive international months-long search for the dean at the College of Nursing that was spearheaded by a diverse committee composed mainly of experts in the field of nursing education.
“I am delighted to return to Florida and deeply honored to be appointed dean of the College of Nursing,“ said McFetridge-Durdle. “The College of Nursing has a long tradition of excellence, and I am excited about the future. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in the college and across the university to champion the road ahead.”
During the past 60 years, Florida State’s College of Nursing has built a legacy and reputation of excellence and innovation, such as establishing the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Center for Research and Evidence-based Practice.
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