Fifty-three years ago, Beverley Lansiquot started her nursing education at the then College of the Virgin Islands (now UVI). “From an early age, I knew I wanted to become a nurse,” she says. When a Peace Corps volunteer informed her that nurses got degrees, she immediately set her sights on earning one. Originally from St. Lucia, Lansiquot had a cousin who attended UVI and decided to apply herself. In 1971, she joined the small cohort of nursing students in UVI’s associate degree program beginning her educational journey that would lead to earning a bachelor's and master's degree at the University of South Florida and ultimately a doctoral degree in nursing practice clinical research at Case Western Reserve University in 2010. Reflecting on her foundational experience at UVI, Dr. Lansiquot says, “I had the best education with four dynamic women who led the program. I always felt a commitment to returning to UVI to serve the Virgin Islands and honor my mentors.”
As Dean of UVI’s School of Nursing (SON) since 2014, Dr. Lansiquot sits in the very same office as her mentors. While very humble, Dr. Lansiquot is rightfully proud of the School of Nursing’s growth and achievements under her leadership. Within four months of beginning her role, Dr. Lansiquot engaged faculty members and stakeholders in the SON’s first strategic planning exercise, creating the framework for the successes the school has achieved over the last ten years.
One of her first priorities was revising the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum which at the time was only available on the St. Thomas campus. The new and improved curriculum was introduced on both campuses in 2016. In addition to the BSN program, the SON also revised the BSN Completion (RN-BSN) program supporting the National Academy of Medicine’s goal to increase the percentage of Registered Nurses with BSN degrees.
One of the most difficult leadership challenges Lansiquot faced was the dependence on recruiting faculty from the mainland. “Recruiting and retaining faculty is critical to sustaining a BSN program in the territory,” explains Lansiquot. “We made a deliberate effort to enhance the recruitment and development of the faculty. The SON now has a 60 percent retention rate. I continue my advocacy to increase faculty salaries and develop a sustainability plan to recruit local MSN and doctoral-prepared nurses,” she says.
Some of the key indicators of Dr. Lansiquot’s success are the significant improvements in graduation rates and NCLEX-RN pass rates. The graduation rate in the BSN Program is 75 percent for the 248 students admitted from 2016 to 2021, exceeding the overall UVI graduation rate. The NCLEX-RN exam is required for nursing graduates to successfully pass to be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the U.S. From 2021 to 2023, the NCLEX Ultimate Pass Rate on the various campuses ranged from 63 percent to 100 percent, with a combined three-year average of 80 percent. The NCLEX pass rates prior to the COVID-19 pandemic ranged from 80 percent to 100 percent. Many graduates remain in the Virgin Islands serving in staff and leadership positions locally.
Dr. Lansiquot made great strides in improving technological advancement and infrastructure for the School of Nursing program. Over the years she has lobbied the VI Legislature and solicited private donors to raise funds to upgrade clinical teaching facilities, introduce simulation in program delivery, fund study abroad activities for nursing students and most recently, break ground on a state-of-the-art classroom building on St. Croix.
While serving as dean, Dr. Lansiquot also became a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurses, an elite credential for nurses and nursing educators. Academy Fellows are inducted into the organization for their extraordinary contributions to improving health locally and globally. With more than 3,000 Fellows, the Academy represents nursing's most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia. In 2024, she was recognized by UVI President, Dr. David Hall with the President’s Appreciation Award for her dedication and contributions to the success of UVI’s nursing program.
To young people considering going into nursing, Lansiquot states confidently, “The quality of UVI’s program is second to none. The nursing program is rigorous and addresses all domains from cognitive skills, how to show professionalism and compassion, and tactile and technical skills. The level of support and resources we provide students at UVI, combined with the care and feedback from the faculty really allows students to thrive.” She adds, “Because our students gain clinical experience in small hospital settings, they see a variety of cases and are exposed to so many specialties. All these factors, in addition to affordable tuition compared to other universities, makes UVI an exceptional value for nursing students.”
When Dr. Lansiquot retires in July, it won’t mean goodbye to UVI. “I love my job and could work until I’m 99,” she says. “My primary motivation now is to spend time with my family who live mostly off-island,” adding “I will always give back to my university that gave me the first step in what has been a very fulfilling career.”