SBCC Nursing Professor Wins National Award

Ann Marie Kopeikin, longtime associate professor of vocational nursing at Santa Barbara City College, was recently chosen as one of four national recipients of the Nurse’s Touch Award. Receiving the most nominations out of more than 500 candidates across the country, Kopeikin was recognized by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Nursing Education for her leadership, professionalism, and inspiring ways.

SBCC staff member since 1996, Kopeikin is currently the director of the three-semester Vocational Nursing Program, a position that requires her to develop curriculum, supervise faculty, and instruct students.

Kopeikin said she was also especially excited to receive the honor because her students will have access for a year to Nurse’s Touch software, which includes interactive video clips, tutorials, and case studies. Oddly enough, API notified Kopeikin of her prize while she was in the process of applying for a $10,000 grant for the software.

“Right now is a critical time because nursing is really at a changing point,” Kopeikin said. “There’s more demand on a nurse’s time to interact with the computer than with the patient. Nurse’s Touch is fighting that trend.”