Philip Landis, DNP, RN, CEN, RN-BC, completed his first Drexel program in 2008, earning his BSN from the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Having identified his passion, Landis – or “Dr. Phil”, as his colleagues fondly refer to him – did not stop there. He returned twice more for his MSN (’10) and his DNP (’15), a decision fueled by his employer and the flexibility of the curriculum. 

 

“I made the choice to return to Drexel based on the unparalleled tuition reimbursement policy of Penn Medicine and the high academic rigor, caliber and convenience of Drexel’s online nursing programs for working professionals,” he said.

 

Pairing his education with 25 years of direct bedside nursing care, Landis is calling on his vast experience to shape future generations of nurses in his current role as Clinical Nurse Education Specialist in the emergency department at Pennsylvania Hospital. 

 

Among the many hats he wears, Landis is responsible for assessing the learning needs and professional development of RN staff and unlicensed ancillary staff, as well as the orientation curriculum for new emergency department hires. To say Landis is uniquely qualified for this role would be an understatement, and new nurses get the added benefit of learning the ropes from someone who was in their position for a majority of his career.  Landis describes the transition to education as a natural next step in his career. “My bedside experience, along with Drexel’s education track, have proven invaluable in providing the next generation of nurses a perspective for developing their own excellence in knowledge, clinical skills and attitudes,” he said.

 

The world of nursing is evolving, and thanks to Dr. Phil, the nurses he onboards are staying ahead of the curve. Landis cited new trends in the profession, “Proliferation of electronic health records and new databases for improving public health and patient outcomes are becoming prevalent.” He added that the unprecedented aging of America is creating a demand for nurses to care for this unique population and the new challenges the aging population will introduce. 

 

For those gearing up for a career in nursing, Landis shared recommendations for success. “It is important to have a sense of humor, levity, perspective, patience and empathy – or as I like to say ‘walking in someone else’s shoes without having to take off your own.’ There is a never-ending need to keep learning and staying abreast of trends and the best available evidence.”

 

By Margaret DeGennaro ‘12