Olga Kagan, PhD, RN, FHIMSS, FAAAAI, FIEL, is a nurse educator, scientist and entrepreneur. She teaches at two New York-based universities, contributes to textbooks, mentors nurses, and advises start-ups. Dr. Kagan founded the Food Allergy Nursing Interest Professional Group and co-founded SONSIEL’s Collaborative Healthcare Innovation, Research & Problem Solving (CHIRPS). As a recognized thought leader, she has served on several committees and boards in various positions, including with HIMSS, SONSIEL, ANA, NYAM, AAAAI, and ENRS. She has received multiple awards for her contributions to nursing leadership, mentorship, research, and was featured on HIMSS TV, the AAAAI and Outcomes Rocket podcasts.
What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing, and how did that lead to your role in academia?
I grew up in the former USSR with socialized medicine, where we had brilliant clinicians but a scarcity of supplies, medications, and advanced technologies. While I aspired to follow in my mother’s footsteps of becoming an educator, my path led me to nursing first. Since my teenage years, my family often relied on me to administer insulin to my grandmother when she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, antibiotics when family members or neighbors were sick, or alternative forms of medicine such as massage for babies. As a young nurse with a foreign Diploma, I volunteered at a local hospital in Queens and attended English classes. I thought of pursuing medical education but quickly learned that it was not feasible due to economic instability, language proficiency, and family obligations that many new immigrants tend to experience. Pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing provided a pathway to overcoming these challenges while satisfying my passion for helping others though direct patient care, patient education, and advocacy. Witnessing challenges in practice propelled me to do more, leading me to acquire advanced degrees that allowed me to make a difference on a larger scale. I knew that, through academia, we can have the greatest impact in shaping the future of nursing practice; hence, I have been teaching as an Adjunct Associate Professor since 2019.
Can you share a memorable moment or experience from your nursing practice that had a significant impact on you?
Every transition I made during my career, had a significant impact and led me to where I am today. For example, having been trained as a nurse by mostly physicians in an environment where we often improvised to deliver care was a huge contrast to the nursing education I experienced in the United States, where I felt blessed to have had access to what seemed to be unlimited resources. Another moment that had a significant impact on me was caring for patients as we were witnessing the events of 9/11 unfold just a few miles away. As a refugee whose family encountered persecution by those with extreme ideologies, I knew I had to do something. When the government-funded WTC Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening program at Mt. Sinai Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health commenced several months later, I became of one of four nurses employed there. The Covid-19 pandemic was another significant event that brought on a lot of sorrow, but not without opening new opportunities to engage with professionals across the world as we worked on innovative solutions to address challenges in America and globally.
What are the key areas of focus in your current research, and how do they contribute to advancements in nursing practice or education?
My research spans across several focus areas, including but not limited to nursing innovation, informatics, and food allergies. I am part of several groups where nurses collaborate on research initiatives to inform nursing practice and education. For example, in 2019 I started the Food Allergy Nurses Interest group to provide a scholarly forum for registered nurses to enhance professional collaboration, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge in the sub-specialty of food allergy & anaphylaxis. Another group that I co-founded is called Collaborative Healthcare Innovation, Research & Problem Solving Nursing Group (CHIRPS) emerged as a result of Society of Nurse Scientists Innovators Entrepreneurs & Leaders (SONSIEL) initiated nurse-led hackathons. We have written numerous articles and continue to disseminate new information to colleagues in education and practice areas through peer-reviewed publications and presentations. In addition to research, I work with teams on evidence-based and expert led projects such as the newly-released public-facing tools such as Five Rights of AI for Healthcare hosted on the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) website; and the AAAAI Anaphylaxis Interactive Learning Guide recently discussed on the World of Allergy podcast hosted by Dr. Stukus. Finally, writing book chapters, speaking at conferences, and volunteering on boards of professional organizations are other ways in which I contribute to advancement in nursing practice and education.
How do you approach mentorship, and what advice do you have for nursing students or new nurses entering the field?
Having mentors is very important, regardless of one’s age or experience. I found myself in a mentee capacity after getting my PhD because I was a novice again and needed some guidance at that stage in my career. It is also our professional responsibility to mentor others. I have been mentoring nurses through formal and informal mentorship programs including but not limited to ANA, HIMSS, SONSIEL, FANI, and other nurses who reach out. Nurses entering the field need to be proactive in seeking mentors either in places of employment, nursing school, though professional organizations they may belong to, or from family and friends whom they admire.
What changes have you observed in the nursing profession over the years, and what challenges or opportunities do you foresee in the future?
The proliferation of technology is the most significant change we have seen over the years in healthcare. Having practiced nursing outside of the United States less than 30 years ago, I had access to one phone for one building, and I made my own reusable PPE, sterilized glass IV jars, glass syringes, and reusable needles. Today, we get to work with advances like artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology, precision health, and remote monitoring technology, just to name a few. These advances enable patients to have access to care from the comfort of their home, reduce commutes, costs, and wait times. Interoperable mobile health (mHealth) technology tracks symptoms and sends alerts to providers. We benefit from task automation, reduced administrative burden, and streamlined inventory management and much more. However, there are also many challenges that we have to be mindful of, including privacy, security, ethical application, malfunctions, and robust reporting of unintended consequences.
How do you integrate your clinical experience into your teaching, and what strategies do you use to engage students?
To create a dynamic learning environment, I utilize several strategies, including but not limited to real-life cases and personal experiences from my nursing career that illustrate key concepts. I like to have interactive learning through group discussions and collaborative projects fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills. Teaching remotely allows for integration of technology to enhance engagement and accessibility including online discussion forums and multimedia presentations. In some courses, having a reflective journal helps deepen students’ understanding of concepts and required competencies. I also like to bring guest speakers or invite students to events where they can hear diverse perspectives and network with professionals outside of their classroom. I also utilize a more traditional assessment method of learning such as quizzes and peer feedback to gauge understanding and encourage dialogue about areas for improvement.
Can you discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in nursing education and practice, and how you incorporate these values into your work?
Emphasizing diversity and inclusion in nursing is crucial for improved patient outcomes, cultural competence, and health equity. A diverse workforce enhances patient care and satisfaction, while an inclusive culture enriches learning and fosters workplace satisfaction. Strategies include integrating these themes into curricula, using diverse role models, adapting teaching methods, promoting open dialogue, engaging with communities, advocating for inclusive policies, investing in ongoing education, and providing mentorship for underrepresented students. Prioritizing these values helps prepare nurses for a diverse professional landscape and strengthens the entire nursing profession.
What are some innovative teaching methods or technologies you’ve incorporated into your courses to enhance student learning?
In addition to the aforementioned teaching strategies, I would like to see more innovative methods and tools incorporated in an educational setting, especially in an asynchronous learning format. For example, gamification can be an effective engagement tool in an online environment. Another method is to utilize mobile learning software aka apps that can be accessed from handheld devices as a complementary way to access materials and tools outside of one’s home. With access to AI enabled tools for education, students and educators have the ability to enhance presentations, create videos, proofread papers, and facilitate literature searches, among other options.
What role do you believe nursing faculty play in shaping healthcare policies, and how have you engaged in policy advocacy?
As nursing faculty and as the most trusted profession, we can leverage our expertise to inform and influence decision-making. For example, when we have research data to support policies, we are able to be more effective in advocating for desired changes. During my doctoral studies, and since then, I have traveled to Washington DC to meet with elected officials to advocate for a number of issues related to healthcare. I also did so on a local level, both individually and as part of a professional organization resulting in the passage of several laws.
What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of, and what are your future goals in nursing education and research?
My biggest personal accomplishment is raising two amazing children who are very dear to me. My daughter is a college student interested in medicine and engineering; and my son is in high school with interests in business and music arts. As far as my professional accomplishments, my children would tell you that without me knowing, I reached my childhood goals of becoming a doctor (although not a Medical Doctor) and an educator. For me, it is the lives I have been able to positively impact that are most cherished. Looking towards the future, I am embarking on a journey of transforming the Food Allergy Nursing Interest Group (FANI) into a non-for-profit professional Food Allergy Nursing Association (FANA) to advance nursing research and scholarship, professional collaboration, quality improvement, leadership, and education in the sub-specialty of food allergy with the goal of improving patients’ outcomes and quality of life.