Jennifer Fernandez's commitment to nursing education began at age 16 when she pivoted from a promising singing career to become a nurse. Fernandez has excelled in the field for over 17 years, receiving multiple awards for excellence. As the dean of the Delgado Community College Charity School of Nursing in New Orleans, Louisiana, she stands at the forefront of training the next generation of nursing professionals. Fernandez approaches industry challenges with expertise, transparency, and passion.
Fernandez was on her way to becoming a classical opera singer. She was trained in six languages, including English, Italian, French, Spanish, German, and Latin. Then tragedy struck. When she was 16 years old, her father suffered a significant brain injury. Seeing how the nurse cared for her father ignited Fernandez's passion for nursing. She changed her career path and began her education at Delgado Community College in 2003.
Later, Fernandez received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from William Carey University in 2007 and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Saint Mary in 2016. Fernandez was a registered nurse at Children's Hospital New Orleans from 2007 until 2015.
Fernandez then transitioned into an educator role. At Delgado Community College, she was an adjunct instructor in 2014, a nursing instructor in 2016, and an assistant professor of nursing in 2020. In 2022, she was promoted to assistant dean at the same institution. Currently, Fernandez serves as the dean of the nursing school. She garnered several accolades for her contributions to nursing education. These include Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the National Scholars Honor Society, and other awards and nominations.
Under Fernandez's leadership, the Delgado Community College Charity School of Nursing has a forward-thinking educational environment. Fernandez oversees the curriculum. She envisions integrating technology, such as virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance student learning.
Through VR simulations, students gain access to realistic, interactive, and safe learning experiences to help them develop critical thinking skills, clinical judgment, and confidence. AI-powered platforms enable personalized learning tailored to a student's strengths and weaknesses. These advancements can prepare students for clinical practice and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN). Fernandez's leadership places the nursing program at the forefront of effective educational innovation.
Fernandez is committed to professional development for herself and her team. The PhD candidate has collaborated with the Delgado Community College grant and IT divisions to acquire funding for faculty members to enroll in online certification programs. The strategic initiative aims to support the expansion of the nursing program by optimizing the utilization of existing faculty resources.
Fernandez also believes in nurturing a supportive atmosphere. She empowers others by providing mentoring, networking, and skill-building opportunities. By fostering open communication, Fernandez has created an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. With her emphasis on transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement, the faculty, staff, and students are being empowered to realize their potential and achieve their goals.
The next chapter of Fernandez's career involves completing a PhD in nursing education and administration from William Carey University in 2027. Looking further ahead, her goal is to become the vice chancellor of student affairs.