The Creighton University School of Nursing has announced three appointments as part of a strategic re-organization of the school.

“The re-organization of the School of Nursing and the appointment of these proven leaders to their new positions will enable the School of Nursing to continue its tradition of leadership in nursing education and responsiveness to the evolving and expanding needs of its students and the health care industry," said Dean Eleanor Howell, Ph.D., R.N. The appointments include:

• Mary Parsons, Ph.D., chair of a new Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. Parsons holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Creighton University, a master’s degree in nursing from University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), and a doctoral degree from University of Nebraska at Lincoln. An associate professor of nursing, Parsons joined Creighton in 1983.
• Cindy Costanzo, Ph.D., chair of the Master’s Program. She holds doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing, all from UNMC. Costanzo, an assistant professor of nursing, joined Creighton in 2005.
• Nancy Shirley, Ph.D., chair of Undergraduate Programs, which includes traditional, nontraditional, and accelerated pathways to bachelor’s of science degrees in nursing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from University of Rhode Island, a master’s degree in nursing from UNMC, and a doctoral degree from University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Shirley, an associate professor of nursing, joined Creighton in 2003.