Two LSUE Nursing Faculty Receive National Honors

NOTE: This article was published in The Advocate on November 3, 2024.

By Amanda McElfresh, amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

Two distinguished faculty members from Louisiana State University Eunice (LSUE) have received prestigious national honors in recognition of their dedication to nursing education and their significant impact on the profession.

Dr. Mae Simoneaux, Director of the LSUE Nursing Program, was recently inducted into the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing. This exclusive honor is reserved for individuals who exemplify outstanding leadership in associate degree nursing education and serve as role models for students and colleagues, championing the advancement of the field.

“It’s a huge honor,” Dr. Simoneaux stated. “We have worked hard here at LSUE to make sure our students have everything they need to succeed as nurses. Our biggest area of emphasis is clinical competency. We want them to be able to hit the ground running in their careers as soon as they graduate. As a nursing supervisor and preceptor, I’ve seen that there can be gaps between nursing school and working as a professional. My goal is for our program to decrease those gaps so patients can have positive outcomes.”

Dr. Simoneaux, who has dedicated nearly four decades to the nursing profession, joined LSUE’s faculty in 2017 and assumed her role as Nursing Program Director in 2022. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “I grew up always knowing that I was going to be a nurse. This has always been my desired profession. I’m still here 37 years later. It’s nice knowing you can make a difference, whether it’s with patients, coworkers or students.”

In addition, Braneshea Moore, an assistant professor in the LSUE nursing program, was named the 2024 Elsevier Educator of the Year by the Foundation of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. The award is given to one person from around the country each year who uses innovative teaching strategies, motivates students to perform at their highest level, works cooperatively with colleagues and demonstrates meaningful participation in college, professional and community activities. The Foundation has 9,000 to 10,000 members, and Moore was the only person in the country that it selected for this award in 2024.

“I feel honored and blessed,” Moore said. “It gives me a sense of pride. It’s a reminder that even though you might have doubts or fears, you shouldn’t quiet the dream if something keeps pulling you in a certain direction.”

Moore worked in other industries before choosing nursing. But, as she neared her mid-20s and saw her high school classmates obtain degrees and begin their careers, Moore realized she wanted the same thing for herself. A natural caregiver, she pursued nursing and has since earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

“The education piece came naturally to me,” she said. “I was working with some LSUE students and mentioned that I have a master’s in nursing education. They told me LSUE was looking for instructors, and one thing led to another. I’ve been with LSUE since 2015. This job allows me to combine my educator spirit and caregiver spirit. To this day, past graduates will reach out to me with questions or want to catch up because we formed such a bond. There’s no way to describe how rewarding that feels.”

These recognitions highlight LSUE’s commitment to excellence in nursing education and the dedication of its faculty to prepare the next generation of skilled nursing professionals. The mission of the LSUE Associate of Science in Nursing program is to prepare graduates for the NCLEX licensing exam and successfully practice in clinical settings as registered nurses. Dr. Simoneaux noted that the four-semester program offers evening and weekend classes to accommodate working individuals, as well as summer courses for those who want to work toward earning their degree faster. LSUE also offers a Licensed Practical Nurse to Associate of Science in Nursing program.

The LSUE nursing curriculum integrates electronic learning technologies, as well as courses in areas such as human anatomy, microbiology, pharmacology and more.

“The program is designed to build up a student’s knowledge,” Moore said. “We make sure they understand the scientific concepts before we move on to areas that are more about patient care. Our entire goal is for them to be safe and competent so that they are ready for the NCLEX.”

Dr. Simoneaux said LSUE nursing students range from recent high school graduates to older adults who are ready for a career switch. However, there are some common traits among successful students.

“The ones who do the best have drive and determination,” she said. “Nursing is hard. You have to have the want and the desire and the motivation to do whatever it takes to get through even the hardest days.”

Moore said overcoming emotional hurdles in nursing is one aspect of the profession she tries to incorporate in her classes. She added that she is grateful to work at LSUE, which offers numerous resources and supports to students.

“Whether you’re a student or working as a nurse, there will be moments where you feel overwhelmed and like you want to quit,” Moore said. “That’s when it’s important to remember why you want to be a nurse in the first place. If you focus on that, you can keep going.”

Visit https://lsue.edu/academics/nursing/index.php to learn more about the LSUE nursing program, as well as admission information and how to apply.