A national nursing organization inducted one of BYU’s nursing professors into its highly prestigious and nationally known organization.
Barbara Mandleco, along with only 32 other nursing educators across the country, was inducted as a fellow into the National League for Nursing’s Academy of Nursing Education. She received this honor because of her contribution to the field of nursing education. Over her career, she has written and co-written three texts and 25 chapters of nursing textbooks.
Patricia Ravert, dean of the College of Nursing, said Mandleco’s research has helped students better understand pediatrics and children with disabilities, as well as the patients’ families.
“Caring for children is not just caring for little adults,” Ravert said.
Ravert also said Mandleco’s research has been helpful in understanding the specific techniques involved with caring for children, as well as understanding their family structure.
Mary Williams, associate dean of the college of nursing, shares a 20-plus-years ongoing friendship with Mandleco. Williams described Mandleco as someone who is a great mentor to faculty and students. According to Williams, being inducted into this organization is one of the most significant awards a nursing educator can be given in the profession.
“She is always willing to do whatever she’s asked,” Williams said.
Williams went on to explain that Mandleco is very loyal to BYU and works extremely hard at what she does.
“I felt it was a great honor … I was thrilled and excited and all those kinds of positive words,” Mandleco said about discovering the news of her induction.
Mandleco, who spent over 30 years of her life teaching nursing, is still teaching students and plans to continue to co-author a pediatric nursing textbook, which is in its third edition and has sold over 30,000 copies worldwide. Out of those 30,000 copies sold, over 8,000 have been sold internationally. Mandleco received her master’s in pediatric nursing from the University of Florida and her doctorate in family science and human development from BYU. Her research focuses on families who are raising children with disabilities.
To become an inductee, applicants must make an argument of why they should be selected, send in letters of support and then have their application reviewed by a committee. Ravert said this honor is very prestigious in the community of nursing educators.
“It’s to recognize outstanding people, both in and out of their profession, who have contributed to nursing education,” Ravert said. “(Mandleco) has provided a vision and leadership.”
