We agree that quite a few deans are associate-degree deans and program directors and that various types of schools of nursing need to be addressed in our column. We will periodically try to get someone from the various other educational levels to participate. You are right that deans' roles and responsibilities are often blurred, given that they fulfill faculty positions on top of administrative duties. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

With regard to leaders who are ready to leave or retire, it remains a challenge to fill deanships and director positions as current holders of these posts vacate them. It is more likely that deans find their positions overwhelming in scope rather than uninteresting. The dean's role is complex; the responsibilities are many. Deans must figure out how to manage their time such that they are not overwhelmed by the job. Presently, both of us are teaching graduate nursing courses. Carole taught 3 courses last year. Jana is teaching 2 courses this summer and will be teaching 3 courses in fall and 2 courses next spring. Both of us work more than 40 hours per week, with Carole frequently working twice that many hours.

You are also correct that, currently, there are no formal training programs about how to transition into the role of a dean or program director. The AACN provides a mechanism whereby a "dean wannabe" is matched with an actual dean mentor for mentorship. This program offers dean mentees an opportunity to obtain expert advice from a dean about questions or issues they are facing.

Although some of our Deans Rx articles may come across as being too simplistic and idealistic, we believe that it is important to note that such topics exist. We hope that others will dialogue with us through letters to the editor.

Carole Kenner, DNS, RNC-NIC, FAAN

Dean and Professor

College of Nursing

University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Jana L. Pressler, PhD, RN

Assistant Dean and Professor

College of Nursing

University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma