Ruthie Robinson, Ph.D. - Director of Graduate Nursing Studies

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I really enjoy helping nurses get higher degrees and seeing the changes it makes in them. Everything we do to improve ourselves as nurses helps improve the quality of care we can provide our patients.
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Degrees Held:

Ph.D. in Nursing Research – Texas Woman’s University
MSN in Clinical Nurse Specialist Adult Critical Care – The University of Texas Medical Branch
BSN – Lamar University

Career Highlights:

Dr. Ruthie Robinson, RN, Ph.D., CNS, CEN, NEA-BC, FAEN, is an associate professor of nursing and director of Graduate Nursing Studies at Lamar University. She has more than 30 years of clinical experience in critical care, emergency and women’s services. An experienced nurse administrator, she has served as the chief nursing officer at two organizations. She served as a Magnet program director and successfully gained Magnet recognition two times. She has also served as chief nursing officer in two different health systems. Dr. Robinson was inducted into the Academy of Emergency Nurses and served as the chair for one year.

Which classes do you teach online?
- MSNA 5321 Planning and Organizing Healthcare Delivery
- MSNA 5323 Healthcare Technology for Nurse Administrators
- SNA 5221 Administration Practicum I
- MSNA 5232 Administration Practicum II
- MSNA 5331 Directing and Controlling Healthcare Delivery
Why did you start teaching?
I really enjoy helping nurses get higher degrees and seeing the changes it makes in them. Everything we do to improve ourselves as nurses helps improve the quality of care we can provide our patients.
What is the best advice that you have ever received?
Do the best you can with what you have and be willing to learn from every experience.
What is the best advice that you could give your students?
Don’t wait for the right time to go back to school or you’ll never do it. You’ve just got to do it and make the time right.
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
If I had to pick just one, it would be the Bible. I would also suggest for women, The Superwoman Syndrome by Marjorie Shaevitz. The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman is also very good. For leaders, I recommend Mary Kay on People Management by Mary Kay Ash. Yes, Mary Kay, with the pink Cadillac!
What qualities make someone particularly successful in nursing?
You have to care about people; if you don’t, nursing is not for you. Also, you must be inquisitive, smart, have a sense of humor and enjoy learning.
What do you think is the biggest challenge that people in nursing face today?
Healthcare reform and decreasing reimbursements with higher expectations. Healthcare is an environment in transition. What works today may not work next week or six months from now.
What do you think is the biggest challenge that people in nursing face today?
I think it will allow more access to education to those who wouldn’t otherwise have it. Individuals who don’t live near a university or don’t have time for traditional classes can now access degree programs and get the education they desire. I think we still have room for growth in fully utilizing technology to optimize the learning experience.
Tell us something your students may not know about you.
I love to travel. If I could live anywhere in the world, it would be in a villa in Tuscany.

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