The University of Utah College of Nursing proudly announces that Ann Butt, EdD, RN, CHSE, has earned a place as a Fellow in the prestigious National League for Nursing (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education. The NLN will honor Butt and 26 other leaders in nursing education during the induction ceremony at the 2024 NLN Education Summit in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday, September 20.
“Leaders like Dr. Ann Butt exemplify our commitment to excellence in education, research, and clinical care,” said Marla De Jong, PhD, RN, CCNS, FAAN, Dean of the College of Nursing. “Her expertise and impact have not only provided exceptional learning opportunities for students but have also positioned us at the forefront of innovative and interactive instructional practices, which will be increasingly important as the College prepares to develop and transition to a competency-based curriculum,”
The NLN is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education, with nearly 45,000 individual and 1,000 institutional members. The Academy selects its fellows through a rigorous evaluation of candidates’ contributions to nursing education, including innovative teaching methods, nursing education research, faculty development, academic leadership, advocacy for public policy that enhances nursing education, and partnerships in educational, practice, or community settings. Butt’s contributions to the nursing education community include innovative teaching-learning strategies, such as early adoption and advocacy of multi-patient simulation and immersive virtual reality (VR).
"I am honored to be chosen as a Fellow in the Academy of Nursing Education. This recognition is a testament to the incredible work we are doing at the College of Nursing in preparing future nursing professionals and leaders,” said Butt. “I look forward to increased opportunities to mentor new educators and future nursing faculty in partnership with the National League for Nursing.”
Butt’s research focuses on deliberate practice and mastery learning including using immersive VR to enhance the training of future healthcare providers. As a Fellow in the University of Utah Academy of Health Science Educators, she collaborated with the Entertainment Arts and Engineering program to develop VR tools for student skill practice. As the Executive Director of Simulation and Experiential Learning in the College of Nursing, Butt plays a key role in helping students master critical skills and procedures and develop clinical judgment.
Butt earned her Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Boise State University, where she researched the usability of game-based VR for developing procedural skills in undergraduate nursing students. She also holds a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Idaho State University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Creighton University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Health Education/Biology from Concordia College.