Nursing education thrives when teaching and care intersect
At its best, nursing education thrives when teaching and care intersect. At UNT Health
Fort Worth's College of Nursing, Kate Taylor, DNP, FNP-C, CPPS, FNAP, brings that
philosophy to life one patient at a time. As the assistant dean of clinical and outreach
affairs, Taylor does not simply oversee curricula from her office. She inhabits the
very roles she prepares her students to fill. Yet her influence extends far beyond
academic oversight.
Taylor functions as a vital bridge between the classroom and the clinic, ensuring that academic theory never loses touch with human reality. Whether navigating a patient’s living room during a home visit, guiding students through newly learned skills, or serving as key personnel for multi-million-dollar grants for geriatric care, Taylor embodies a premier, multifaceted expertise central to the institution’s mission and vision.
The foundation of Taylor’s disciplined approach to nursing comes from a history of military service.
“I went into the Army as a second lieutenant and worked as a nurse in various ICU units, over eight years,” Taylor said.
That experience instilled precision and adaptability that continue to shape her work.
“One of the things that I liked about the Army is that they always ensure that you are prepared to take care of your patients or be in the setting that you’re in," Taylor said. "They do lots of training.”
Taylor’s professional identity reflects a balance of leadership, clinical practice and national service. Clinical education anchors her weekly responsibilities, alongside course preparation, teaching, clinical practice and partnership development. She maintains an active clinical caseload, treating acute and chronic conditions at UNT Health's Center for Older Adults and conducting home healthcare visits, where students can actively participate in assessments and treatment plans.
Taylor believes that faculty practice, which includes engagement in direct patient care and professional services, allows educators to maintain clinical competence and guide students effectively in modern healthcare.
“If you have not examined someone or spoken with them directly, it is really difficult to teach that material to students,” she said.
Her immersion in the profession also strengthens the college’s national presence. Taylor serves as secretary for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Practice Leadership Network and as a legislative ambassador for the Texas Nurse Practitioner Association. These roles align College of Nursing programs with healthcare policy and academic standards.
Locally, Taylor serves as key personnel on a five-year, $5 million Health Resources and Services Administration Center for Older Adults grant.
“We are looking at ways we can improve education, workforce development, and the care we provide for older adults,” Taylor said. “My role is to ensure older adult nursing education is integrated within our program.”
Community partnerships transform these resources into opportunities for students. Taylor oversees more than 90 clinical affiliation agreements connecting the college with settings ranging from hospital systems to organizations such as the Union Gospel Mission. These placements reinforce that healthcare extends beyond hospital walls. Taylor attributes much of the college’s successful initiatives to a faculty unified by service.
“Our College of Nursing is special because we share the same mission, vision, and goals,” she said. “We are dedicated to improving the lives of others and the communities we serve.”
Taylor emphasizes that achieving clinical mastery requires a coordinated network of support.
“Our faculty are committed to walking the walk with our students,” she said. “We have a student success team, assistant deans and coaches. We’re really committed to our students… because it’s a complicated process. It’s taxing.”
Competence and innovation flourish when students learn from experts who remain active in clinical practice. Taylor’s progression from Army nurse to doctoral leader demonstrates the impact of engaged clinical practice. Her career exemplifies how strong education amplifies a nurse’s ability to improve health, touch lives, and strengthen communities.