Charleje Aaron, President OSF Colleges of Nursing- Peoria and Rockford on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Higher Education Nursing

Charleje Aaron

President OSF Colleges of Nursing- Peoria and Rockford, OSF HealthCare

Peoria, IL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree CNA (high school vocational) Degree LPN Degree Bachelor's degree (RN) Degree Master's in systems administration Degree Doctorate (University of Iowa) Cert Hartford Scholar Member American Nurses Association (Illinois Chapter) Member Alzheimer's Association

Her Story

About Charleje

I have been a nurse for 49 years, most in leadership. I am currently president of two colleges of nursing at OSF Healthcare in Peoria and Rockford, Illinois. Prior to that, I served as chancellor at St. John's College of Nursing in Springfield for seven years and as faculty at Illinois State University for twelve years. My earlier career was in long-term care leadership, and I am passionate about caring for older adults and supporting dementia caregivers, especially in African American communities. I have written a book on caregiving tips and developed programs like the Teaching Nursing Home Project and Nursing Pipeline Preparatory Program.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Charleje

01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Finish this master's program and go right into a doctorate program so that you can develop the research and evidence that you need.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would tell about my journey... my beginnings were very humble... I had a goal of being a nurse from a very early age... the career in nursing you can do so many different things with your nursing career... I never thought I would be the president of a college of nursing someday but I've had the opportunity to be a chancellor and a president of three colleges of nursing now.

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