Dr. Loveless is a highly accomplished and dedicated nurse leader who brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role at Belhaven University’s School of Nursing. Since joining Belhaven on April 1, 2024, Doctor Loveless has taken the helm to guide and inspire the next generation of nurses. Her journey in nursing is marked by extensive education, diverse leadership roles, and a deep commitment to the field.
Extensive Educational Background of Doctor Loveless
Doctor Loveless’s commitment to nursing is clearly reflected in her impressive educational achievements. She holds an Associates of Applied Science in Nursing from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (1998), laying a strong foundation for her career. Driven by a desire for continuous growth, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from William Carey College, William Carey University in 2003, followed swiftly by a Master of Science in Nursing, specializing in Nursing Education, from the same institution in 2004. Her pursuit of advanced knowledge culminated in a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Executive Leadership and Administration from Samford University in 2010. Demonstrating an unwavering dedication to her field, Doctor Loveless undertook post-doctoral work at William Carey University, furthering her expertise towards a Philosophy Doctorate in Nursing Education and Administration. This robust educational background positions Doctor Loveless as a true expert in nursing education and leadership.
Decades of Experience in Nursing and Leadership
Doctor Loveless is not only academically accomplished but also boasts a rich and varied professional history. Her 26 years as a registered nurse (RN) provide a practical and experienced perspective to her leadership. For 21 years, she has been immersed in nursing education, with 17 of those years spent in leadership positions. Doctor Loveless has dedicated 16 years to serving the State of Mississippi within accredited nursing programs, both as faculty and in administrative roles. Furthermore, she expanded her impact into the online education sector, contributing seven years in nursing leadership for two large-scale accredited online universities. This breadth of experience, spanning both traditional and online learning environments, makes Doctor Loveless uniquely qualified to lead in today’s evolving educational landscape.
Areas of Expertise and Scholarly Contributions
Doctor Loveless‘s expertise encompasses several critical areas within nursing and health education. Her key areas of proficiency include Nursing Program Leadership and Development, Personnel Management, and Nursing and Health Education Curriculum Development. She is also highly skilled in Enrollment Management, Nursing/Health-Related Accreditation processes, Budgetary Responsibility, Nursing Education Instruction, and developing Competency-Based Nursing Faculty Orientations.
Beyond her administrative and educational roles, Doctor Loveless is an active contributor to the nursing profession through scholarly work. She has presented at national conferences, including Advancing Nursing Education at Advent Health Systems in Orlando, Florida in 2021. Her co-authored publications in American Nurse Today on topics such as “Social media in healthcare: A 360-degree view” (2019) and “Knowing when and how to leave your job” (2018) demonstrate her engagement with contemporary issues in nursing practice and career development. Doctor Loveless has also secured grants, such as the Biloxi First Grant Recipient for Interprofessional Education in Career Technical Programs in 2018, further highlighting her commitment to advancing nursing education.
Professional Affiliations and Recognition
Doctor Loveless is deeply connected within the nursing community and beyond. She served on the Mississippi Nurses Foundation Board of Trustees from 2016-2023 and held leadership positions in community organizations like President of Biloxi High School Cheer Booster and Vice President of Biloxi High School Tennis Booster. Her involvement with professional organizations includes being Membership Committee Chair for the Council on Collegiate Nursing Education-Southern Regional Educational Board (2017) and Co-Chair of Mississippi Education Redesign (2014-2017). Doctor Loveless‘s past service on the Belhaven University Nursing Advisory Council (2014-2018) demonstrates a prior connection to the institution she now leads.
Her contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including Evaluation Manager of the Year from Western Governors University (2020) and Educator of the Year by Gulf Coast Woman’s Magazine and Lighthouse Business Council (2017). She was also recognized as one of South Mississippi’s Top 10 Business Leaders Under 40 in 2011.
Personal Insights and Teaching Philosophy
Originally from South Mississippi, Doctor Loveless shares her life with her husband Chris of 27 years and their daughter Georgia, who attends Ole Miss. In her personal time, she enjoys family, friends, sports, and bird-watching. Doctor Loveless views nursing and nursing education as a calling, a way to contribute to a greater purpose. In her teaching focus, while experienced across various nursing courses, she is particularly passionate about leadership development in prelicensure nursing students, shaping the future leaders of the nursing profession.
Doctor Loveless‘s leadership at Belhaven University is poised to guide the School of Nursing to new heights, driven by her extensive experience, profound expertise, and unwavering dedication to nursing education.
