---
title: The Power of Connection at USD School of Nursing
description: Along every step of their journey, Dr. Laurie Ecoff sees the connections at USD playing a critical role in students’ success.
image: https://nursing.sandiego.edu/hubfs/SON/son-blogs/son-images/Dr-%20Ecoff.jpeg
---
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# The Power of Connection at USD School of Nursing
Published on: June 16, 2020
4 min read
On This Page
## Discover the Benefits of a Nursing Degree From USD
[Request Information](https://nursing.sandiego.edu/request-information)
[USD Nursing](https://www.sandiego.edu/nursing/)
The University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science prepares compassionate nurse leaders at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. For more than 50 years, the school has advanced nursing education through academic excellence, innovative research, and a commitment to improving health outcomes in the communities nurses serve.
*The information in this blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical, financial, or professional advice.*
With a BSN and [PhD](https://sonresources.sandiego.edu/a-guide-to-achieving-a-phd-in-nursing) from the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, Dr. Laurie Ecoff knows first-hand the value of a USD education. Today, she serves as Vice President of Terrence and Barbara Caster Institute for Nursing Excellence at Sharp HealthCare while simultaneously preparing future nurse leaders in her role as Clinical Professor teaching in the [ENL program](https://sonresources.sandiego.edu/a-guide-to-becoming-a-nurse-leader) and the MEPN leadership course at USD Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science.
### What Makes the USD School of Nursing Unique?
When Dr. Laurie Ecoff reflects on what makes the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science special, there’s a lilt in her voice, “oh, well first of all, the campus is beautiful.” But her thoughts of natural light-filled classrooms and the inviting physical spaces quickly shift to the intangible essence of the nursing campus: relationships.
“Here, it’s a collegial relationship,” says Dr. Ecoff. “I’m not coming into the classroom and talking at students. I structure my classes as a meeting where I have an agenda. Students start with reflection, then we move into discussion. Even with the seminar format, there’s always some application of the knowledge—it’s very hands on. The [Executive Nurse Leader](https://sonresources.sandiego.edu/a-guide-to-becoming-a-nurse-leader) course I teach are focused on hearing from the students’ experiences, reflective learning, and then challenging them to incorporate this learning into what they will do as a leader.”
### Deep Community Relationships Offer Opportunities for Learning
These student-faculty relationships foster enhanced learning opportunities. But relationship-building at the Hahn School of Nursing doesn’t stop there. There’s also a cultivation of deep connections rooted in mutual respect between the dean, the administration and the faculty that completes the experience. Dr. Ecoff witnessed this when one of the nurses at Sharp was looking for an alternative to an online program.
“She came to me after a semester of online classes a bit deflated and said that the experience was not really meeting her needs. Of course, I told her about USD. Later that afternoon I happened to be at USD and just popped my head in to the director of admissions office who asked me if I knew anyone who would want to come here and get a merit scholarship. We made the connection, and today, that student has her Masters in ENL from USD. It was a great fit because she wanted to have that face-to-face time with the faculty and with her colleagues.”
Along every step of their journey, Dr. Ecoff sees the connections at USD playing a critical role in students’ success. “When it comes to preceptorships, it’s about relationships. For example, I know a lot of nurse leaders in the community and I’ll touch base with these contacts to help facilitate a placement. On top of that, there are dedicated people at USD who take care of making these connections.”
With these connections, students will continue to gain knowledge and develop skills in pursuit of lifelong learning. “All of the faculty work in full-time leadership roles, so students are getting real life knowledge transfer from experts that are practicing.”
### Join the USD Nursing Community
Are you interested in developing your knowledge, skills, and attitudes as a nurse?
The USD School of Nursing is proud to offer a variety of graduate programs at every level of preparation. Whether you are interested in launching your nursing career or taking your career to the highest levels, [our master's programs and doctoral programs](https://www.sandiego.edu/nursing/) are built for you.
*The information provided by USD’s Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical or financial advice. This includes, but is not limited to, blog posts, eBooks, webinars, emails, graphics, social media posts, and other content. Always seek the guidance of your physician or a qualified medical or financial professional.*
### A Guide to Achieving the Doctor of Nursing Practice at USD
Our DNP program prepares nurses at the highest level of proficiency as they learn to translate science into clinical practice. Download the guide to learn about clinical placements, get answers to FAQs, and read about options to help finance your graduate nursing degree.
[GET THE GUIDE](https://hubs.la/H0SxSVG0)
[](https://hubs.la/H0SxSVG0)
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[ 5.13.2020 USD SON Professor's Research on COVID-19 Impact on Children to Appear in the Congressional Record Read More](https://nursing.sandiego.edu/blog/usd-son-professors-covid-research-to-appear-in-the-congressional-record)
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