University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing

10/13/2026

This past week, SON Dean Cynthia McCurren presented “From Detection to Direction: Teaching Academic Integrity with AI” at the Wisdom in the Age of AI Conference, hosted by Calvin University and co-sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) and the International Network for Christian Higher Education (INCHE).

The conference brought together leading thinkers and practitioners to explore the responsible use of artificial intelligence across education, business, health care, STEM and the arts.

Drawing on The Opposite of Cheating: Teaching for Integrity in the Age of AI, the presentation reframed academic integrity as something educators must actively teach and cultivate-not simply police. By considering expectations, pressure, purpose, belonging and assessment design, educators can create conditions that encourage students to use AI responsibly and choose authentic learning.

10/06/2026

Two UM-Flint nursing students turned an innovative idea into a potential lifesaving solution.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing students Joseph Monroe III and Gabrielle Redmond earned first place and a $2,000 prize at the UM-Flint Zillion Solutions Competition for their SMART Syringe - a device designed to provide clinicians with real-time feedback and help prevent incorrect IV medication push rates.

Learn how their award-winning invention could reduce common medication errors and improve patient safety in the full article below ⤵️ https://news.umflint.edu/2026/09/29/um-flint-nursing-students-win-top-prize-for-iv-innovation/

SMART Syringe innovation earned two UM-Flint nursing students first place in Zillion Solutions competition.

10/05/2026

The Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners (MICNP) recently hosted its Annual Conference, the state’s largest annual event for nurse practitioners! The conference brought NPs together for professional development, networking and advocacy. UM-Flint was represented by faculty members Rachel Hetzner, who serves as MICNP president, and Brian Kaminski, along with students Julie Stevens, Tanisha Jarrett, Brianna Kline, Athena Dematio, Lilian Boufakhreddine and Sehrish Houser.

As MICNP president, Hetzner helped celebrate the organization’s 25th anniversary at its Silver Jubilee Gala. For 25 years, MICNP has advanced the nurse practitioner profession in Michigan, helping expand NPs’ ability to prescribe medications, order services such as physical therapy and home care and more.

In addition to having a strong legislative team fighting for NPs’ ability to care for their patients to the full extent of their education and training, MICNP is also accredited with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners to be able to provide continuing education opportunities!

A new UM-Flint student MICNP chapter is also taking shape! Students interested in joining are encouraged to contact Dr. Hetzner to learn more. 📚🩺

09/18/2026

Meet the team! 💙

In celebration of Healthcare Simulation Week and this year’s theme, “Sim Found Me,” we’re recognizing the talented members of our Center for Simulation and Clinical Innovation (CSCI) team. Their expertise, creativity and commitment create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that help students build confidence, strengthen clinical skills and prepare to provide safe, compassionate patient care.

Swipe through to meet the people who make simulation possible! 🩺

09/15/2026

Interested in making an impact in nursing research? This one-time focus group, spearheaded by Dr. Nancy Martens, PhD, RN. RYT, and UM-Flint School of Nursing Assistant Professor, is investigating the perceptions of yoga and intergenerational activities amongst college students and older adults (55+), right here in Flint.

Contact Dr. Martens at [email protected] or leave a message at 810-762-3420 if interested.

09/14/2026

Don't forget to register at the link!🔗

The Wait Is Over!
We are excited to announce that "Introducing the Femscope: Giving the Speculum a Makeover" has a new rescheduled date!

Join us for an Our Bodies Ourselves webinar exploring The Femscope Calm Collect Device, an award-winning new alternative to the speculum. Drs. Behnke and Filter, both nursing faculty at the University of Michigan-Flint, will introduce the Femscope and share the exciting story behind developing the device.

🗓️ October 6th
⏰ 5:30pm-7pm ET

Please register below to RSVP and receive your zoom link, even if you registered before.
https://ourbodiesourselves.org/events/developing-the-femscope

09/14/2026

Healthcare Simulation Week is here! Established in 2017 by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, this week is a global celebration dedicated to raising awareness about the vital role of simulation in improving the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare delivery.

This year’s theme, “Sim Found Me,” celebrates the educators, learners, technicians and advocates who bring simulation to life. Through hands-on, risk-free learning, simulation bridges the gap between classroom knowledge and clinical practice - building confidence, strengthening teamwork and improving patient safety.

Join us this week as we celebrate the people, experiences and moments that make simulation such an essential part of nursing education. How did sim find you? 💙🩺

09/11/2026

UM-Flint offers a sexual assault nurse examiner certificate program to address a critical health care shortage.

09/11/2026

Hear from keynote speaker and SON clinical faculty member Megan Rule as she discusses what trauma-informed care means for nursing practice. 💛

THE STORY BEHIND THE SYMPTOMS. 💙

We are so excited to welcome Megan Rule, MSN-Ed, APRN, PMHNP-BC as our keynote speaker!

Megan brings 20 years of nursing experience across hospitals, schools, universities, and private practice. In her current role as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, she works in an area deeply impacted by trauma and addiction, where understanding the person behind the symptoms can make all the difference.

Her keynote, “The Story Behind the Symptoms,” will explore:

🧠 What trauma-informed care really means, and why it matters in every area of nursing
🔎 What’s next for trauma-informed care and what it means for nursing practice
💙 How we can provide compassionate, patient-centered care without losing ourselves in the process

Because sometimes, what we see as a symptom is only the visible part of a much bigger story.

And as nurses, we have the opportunity to look beyond what’s in front of us and ask:

What else is this person carrying?

We can’t wait for Megan to kick off our day and challenge us to see our patients, and our nursing practice, a little differently. 💙

That wraps up our speaker reveals… but we’re just getting started. 👀

📅 October 16, 2026
📍 Henry Ford College | Dearborn, MI
⏰ 8 AM–4 PM
💙 FREE FOR NURSING STUDENTS

One convention. Four pillars. Countless ways to advocate.

09/11/2026

Join our very own Dr. Kristi Wilson as she discusses navigating burnout and compassion fatigue in nursing at Henry Ford College on October 16th!

Let’s talk about the part of nursing school we don’t always talk about: what caring for others can cost YOU. 🫶

Our next speaker spotlight is Dr. Kristi Wilson, who will be leading our Self Pillar session.

Nursing asks us to show up for other people again and again. But what happens when we’re running on empty?
This session will take a real look at burnout and the importance of caring for yourself before you reach the point of having nothing left to give.
Because advocating for yourself isn’t selfish!

It’s part of becoming a nurse who can care for others sustainably. 💙

✨ Learn to recognize the signs
✨ Talk honestly about the cost of caring
✨ Explore ways to protect your well-being

We’re so excited to have Dr. Wilson bringing this conversation to Stand, Speak, Support!

And we’re not done yet… 👀
Our next speaker reveal is coming up!

📅 October 16, 2026
📍 Henry Ford College | Dearborn, MI
⏰ 8 AM–4 PM
💙 FREE FOR NURSING STUDENTS