Until her freshman year in high school, Bernadette Melnyk wanted to be a nun.
It wasn't until she worked as a candy striper that Melnyk decided she wanted to be a nurse.
This is Melnyk's first semester as dean of the College of Nursing, and she has some big plans.
In her first week, Melnyk launched a strategy laying out ideas for the future of the nursing school that includes:
Creating a new Center for Advancement of Evidenced-Based Practice
Intensifying research
Launching an institute for community health
Starting an accelerated program for students to become registered nurses in 12 to 15 months instead of the usual two to four years
Spearheading the effort to make ASU the healthiest campus in America.
"We have a big dream and vision for where this college will be in five years, and we're going to work hard to make it happen," Melnyk said.
Mary Killeen, associate dean in the nursing college, praised Melnyk's plans.
"[The plans are] very effective in getting everyone working together and thinking together toward common goals," Killeen said.
Melnyk formerly worked as the associate dean of the nursing program at the University of Rochester. She said she was not looking to moving to the Southwest, but she jumped at the chance to be a part of ASU.
"I liked what was going on at ASU," Melnyk said. "ASU has a very good local and statewide reputation and I'm looking to elevate it to the next level."
Killeen said she believes Melnyk is the perfect person for this position.
"She has the energy and the passion and the drive that is just contagious," said Killeen. "If I'm around her for any amount of time I just absorb her energy."
In addition to being dean of the nursing college, Melnyk directs a national mental health campaign called Keep Your Children and Yourself Safe and Secure that she founded for children and teens.
Melnyk said she loves to travel and was the keynote speaker at the first Asian Pediatric Nursing Conference in Bangkok.
Although she liked Thailand, it is quite far from where Melnyk grew up in Pittsburgh.
She received her bachelor's degree from West Virginia University, her master's from the University of Pittsburgh and her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester.
"My mom died when I was 15, and my dad had to struggle to put me through college," said Melnyk. "I knew how hard he struggled, so I worked hard."
She describes herself as a diligent student and was very involved with student government and yearbook during her college years.
"My philosophy is I want to lead by example," Melnyk said. "I want to be an excellent teacher, excellent researcher and create an environment for students and faculty to flourish in."
Reach the reporter at courtney.bonnell@asu.edu.
