Celebrating the Remarkable Career of Dean Linda Flynn

December 6, 2023

Dear Rutgers Health community,

I am writing to share with you that Linda Flynn, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the Rutgers School of Nursing, has decided to retire from Rutgers University, effective June 30, 2024.

Nationally known as a professor, academic leader, and advocate for the nursing profession, Dean Flynn was appointed dean in June 2020. Under her leadership, the Rutgers School of Nursing has flourished as the largest and most comprehensive nursing school in New Jersey. She has overseen remarkable growth in the school's size, diversity, national reputation, clinical enterprise, and body of research. I especially want to express my admiration for her commitment to fostering a diverse student body that is equitable and inclusive, which has created a more supportive educational experience.

The accolades and recognition garnered by the Rutgers School of Nursing during Dean Flynn’s tenure are a testament to her visionary leadership. The school continues to be ranked among the top 10 percent of nursing schools nationwide and holds the Number One spot in New Jersey for BSN programs, according to U.S. News.

Dean Flynn herself has received numerous awards, including Nurse Educator of the Year and the New Jersey Governor’s Merit Award for excellence in research. Her impactful research in nurse staffing, health care culture, and patient outcomes has significantly influenced organizational, state, and federal policies.

After an illustrious career marked by exceptional accomplishments and unwavering dedication to our community, Dean Flynn will leave a legacy that has significantly shaped the landscape of nursing education and practice at Rutgers and beyond. Over the course of the Spring, please join me in expressing our gratitude for Dean Flynn’s transformative leadership and wishing her a fulfilling retirement.

To ensure continuity of leadership, we will soon be initiating a national search for the position of Dean of the Rutgers School of Nursing.

Sincerely,

Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH
Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs