by Steffanie Lindgren ’10

Marjorie Schaffer has been named University Professor of Nursing at Bethel University. Schaffer is the third faculty member to earn this recognition.

While teaching nursing courses at Bethel’s College of Arts & Sciences and Graduate School, Schaffer has produced many examples of scholarship. She authored a book entitled Being Present: A Nurse’s Resource for End-of-Life Communication. Additionally, she has written multiple articles, editorials, and several book chapters as well as presented papers at national and international professional conferences.

Schaffer is currently the recipient of a Fulbright Specialist Award for consultation with Diakonova University College in Norway, where she is assisting Diakonova as they develop a master’s degree for public health nurses. In the past, Schaffer was a Fulbright Senior Scholar for Research and Lecturing in Norway and received an End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium Award for her curriculum development work. In addition, Bethel has honored her with the Bethel University Faculty Excellence Award in Scholarship and two Edgren Scholar Awards.

Regarding her work in Norway, Kari Galvin, associate professor at Diakonova University College, said, “I feel privileged to know and have the opportunity to collaborate and work with Marge. The faculty at Diakonova University College have had the pleasure to learn from Professor Schaffer’s expertise in Public Health Intervention, and we have established a relationship with the public health nursing faculty. Much of Professor Schaffer’s written work is used in the syllabus for the public health nursing students.”

Since 2005, Marge worked as liaison between the Bethel University Department of Nursing and the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) in the development of projects to advance evidence-based nursing practices. She has also established collaborations between graduate students and HCMC staff that enhance nursing practice through research studies and system change initiatives. Marge is also well-known within the public health community for her work with the Public Health Nursing Intervention Wheel. After publication, educational programs and public health nursing agencies throughout the world subsequently adopted this model.

Beth Kaiser Schafer, professional development specialist at Hennepin County Medical Center, described Schaffer: “As an advisor, Marge has shared with us her deep knowledge of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and nursing research. As an educator, Marge has helped members learn and apply the essential elements of EBP. Marge has presented multiple learning modules on a variety of topics, including the critical appraisal of literature, the use of EBP models, grant writing, writing for publication, and curriculum development related to EBP. Her teaching style has been creative and very appreciated. Marge effortlessly alters her approach as she works to meet individual learning needs.”

David Clark, executive vice president and provost at Bethel University, said, “One of the consistent parts of Marge’s leadership at Bethel is her continued impact on individual students, the Bethel community, and the greater world.”

Schaffer joined the Bethel faculty as assistant professor of nursing in 1984. She later completed her Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota.