Regent University Names Dr. Patricia A. Kraft as First Director of the School of Nursing
Regent University’s College of Healthcare Sciences has named Dr. Patricia A. Kraft as its first ever director of the School of Nursing as well as Distinguished Professor of Nursing. The announcement was made today by Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, Regent’s founder, CEO, and chancellor.
Kraft joins Regent from the College of Coastal Georgia where she served as distinguished dean of nursing and health sciences as well as professor of nursing. In July 2017, the addition of the education department was added and the school name changed to the School of Education, Health Sciences and Nursing. Achieving NCLEX-RN pass rates for BSN of 100 percent four times, ASN 98 percent then 100 percent, and RADT 100 percent four times helped establish the college as one of the top-ranked nursing programs in the state of Georgia. She also sat on the Georgia Governor’s Task Force for Workforce Development in 2016-17.
Kraft’s leadership roles as associate provost and dean of the School of Nursing and Behavioral Health at Carson-Newman College (Jefferson City, TN) solidified her reputation for creating rigorous programs led by strong faculty. At Waynesburg College (Waynesburg, PA), Kraft served as an instructor. She also served as a nurse practitioner for 40 years throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
“Dr. Kraft is a highly accomplished leader, instructor and practitioner who has a distinguished history of building and expanding nursing programs,” said Robertson. “She also has a strong history of supporting regional healthcare providers and systems by serving as a feeder to their nursing workforce. She is someone who understands the challenges and requirements of the nursing boards as well as the changing complexities of nursing care today. We are thrilled to have Dr. Kraft lead Regent’s nursing program.”
“I am excited to join Regent University as it launches the College of Healthcare Sciences,” said Kraft. “I look forward to developing the university’s School of Nursing into a premier program both regionally and nationally. Navigating faculty and program development, accreditations, and nursing board requirements is a welcome challenge.”
Kraft earned a Doctor of Education and Master of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Liberty State College, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from West Virginia Northern Community College. She considers her special appointment – U.S. Secretary of the Army’s ROTC Education Subcommittee – to be a career highlight.
Regent announced the creation of the College of Healthcare Sciences & School of Nursing in 2017 as part of a strategic growth initiative to become a quality workforce development provider in healthcare for Virginia and the nation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, extreme shortages for nurses and healthcare professionals is growing. Jobs for healthcare occupations are projected to grow 19 percent through 2024, including over 1 million new nursing jobs nationally and over 32,000 in Virginia by 2030.
Enrolling now, the new college will include a School of Nursing that will offer clinical as well as online degree programs. Regent’s current healthcare degree programs will be moved under the new College alongside new programs (underdevelopment), including:
- RN to B.S in Nursing
- BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
- MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)
- DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
- M.S., Healthcare Informatics
- M.S., Healthcare Administration
