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Josh Wall Appointed as Chair of the Division of Undergraduate Education and Entry to Professional Practice at the University of Utah College of Nursing

Josh Wall has been appointed as Chair of the Division of Undergraduate Education and Entry to Professional Practice at the University of Utah College of Nursing (CON), effective November 1, 2024. Wall’s 20 years of leadership in both academic and clinical settings, coupled with his proven ability to mentor and guide students and faculty, make him well-suited to launch this new division within the College, and offer a clear vision and strategic guidance that will inspire his team to achieve innovative and impactful goals. 

“Educating the future nursing workforce cannot be done without exceptional faculty who must be enabled to succeed by having the necessary tools and support to do their work,” said Wall. “I am dedicated to supporting faculty in their career development and progression, so that they may thrive in their work environment."  

Dean of the College of Nursing, Marla De Jong, PhD, RN, CCNS, FAAN, said, “Josh Wall’s strong leadership skills, wide-ranging experience, and unwavering dedication to nursing education make him an excellent fit for this role. Establishing a new division marks an exciting chapter in our college’s history. As we embark on this path, I am confident that that Dr. Wall will embrace our core values, foster innovation, and establish and inspire a strong and cohesive team that will thrive.”   

Wall’s leadership success spans professional associations, a CON committee, and a board. As president of the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association, he led critical initiatives in advancing the field of transport nursing on a global scale. Serving on the CON’s Baccalaureate Admissions and Advancement Committee, he helped transition to a holistic admission model and educated new faculty about admissions processes. Additionally, as a member of the Utah State Board of Nursing and director-at-large for the Utah Nurses Association, Wall was at the forefront of policy and regulatory discussions and advocated for and influenced safe nursing care for the people of Utah. 

Students at all program levels benefit from Wall’s attentive mentorship. He serves as a faculty cohort mentor for baccalaureate students, advises graduate teaching assistants in the Clinical Management course series, precepts students in practicum and residency graduate courses, and a content expert for master’s and doctor of nursing practice students as they complete scholarly projects. 

Wall has led and collaborated with faculty and academic leaders to expand programs, inform curricula, and create course content. His roles as a certified flight registered nurse and certified emergency nurse inform his teaching.  

Given his educational and clinical expertise, the International Medical Corps and Harvard Humanitarian Initiative recruited Wall to participate in a humanitarian mission in Ukraine. While there, he and other health professionals trained clinicians – from nurses and physicians to field medics and medical students – as well as civilians, regarding trauma care, including skills such as tourniquet application, burn care, and advanced airway management. 

Wall earned his ADN in Registered Nursing from the College of Southern Idaho, followed by an MSN in Nursing Education and a PhD in Nursing, both from Walden University. His doctoral dissertation, A Phenomenological Study of Lived Experiences of Transport Nurses Experiencing Patient Death, and Master’s project, Simulation-Based Training for Critical Code Situations in the Emergency Department, highlight his dedication to advancing practice and nursing education. 

The College of Nursing is excited to welcome Josh Wall to this new Division Chair role. His nursing and leadership experience will contribute to his success in working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators to help further the mission and vision of the College and University.