Blinn Vocational Nursing Program Director chosen president-elect of Texas Association of Vocational Nurse Educators

Dr. Michelle Marburger will play key leadership role for the organization

November 6, 2024

When Dr. Michelle Marburger became a full-time faculty member of the Blinn College District Vocational Nursing Program in 2002, she found inspiration and ideas at her first Texas Association of Vocational Nurse Educators (TAVNE) conference.

More than 20 years later, Marburger is now helping others in the profession as TAVNE president-elect for 2024-25, followed by two years as president. Marburger, Blinn Vocational Nursing Program Director, was elected at the organization’s annual meeting recently in Austin.

“I am excited and honored to be elected to lead such a prestigious organization that empowers and educates VOCN nursing faculty,” she said. “I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to serve.”

“I know that Dr. Marburger will serve in this role well, based on how she manages her program at Blinn,” said Michelle Trubenstein, Dean of Health Sciences. “I commend her on her willingness to lead at the state level.”

Marburger has been with Blinn since 1998 and became a full-time faculty member in 2002. Shortly after becoming a full-time instructor, she learned about TAVNE and attended her first conference.

“I left with new ideas and strategies that I could apply in the classroom and clinical settings,” she said. “It reminded me that I was not alone in this new role and it allowed me the ability to network with other nurse educators within Texas. I’ve learned so much about being a nurse educator from TAVNE.”

Throughout her career, Marburger has been a strong advocate for vocational nursing education. She chaired TAVNE’s Legislative Committee in 2023, and alongside Blinn Vocational Nursing Instructor Mary Lange, has served as Legislative Liaison for the Texas Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition (NLAC). They will continue to serve on that committee and are looking toward an active 89 ^th session of the Texas Legislature.

“We made it our mission to help make positive changes for all nurses, including the under-represented licensed vocational nurse population in Texas,” Marburger said.

Blinn’s Vocational Nursing Program offers a 10-month traditional track that includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical training. Clinical rotations are held at hospitals and other healthcare facilities throughout the area and almost 98% of Blinn’s graduates from the program during the past three years have found jobs in the profession.

A blended online track allows students to complete their theory coursework online while attending face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences. Designed for individuals balancing a job and their nursing studies, the program was launched in 2018 as the first of its kind in the state.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the 2023 annual median pay for a vocational nurse was $59,730, and employment is expected to increase 5% between 2022 and 2032, creating 34,900 new jobs nationwide.

For more information about the Blinn Vocational Nursing Program, visit www.blinn.edu/vocational-nursing.