Dr. Lauren Swant serves as the Founding Director of Nursing for Touro University Montana, where she is leading the development and implementation of innovative nursing education programs designed to address healthcare workforce needs across Montana and the surrounding region. She brings more than two decades of nursing, academic, and healthcare leadership experience to the role, with expertise in nursing education, quality improvement, accreditation, strategic planning, and program development.
Prior to joining Touro University, she led significant program growth initiatives, strengthened academic and clinical partnerships, and advanced student success outcomes at both public and private institutions of higher education in Montana. A Registered Nurse with clinical experience in neonatal intensive care and medical transport, she holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Healthcare Systems Executive Leadership and maintains certifications in nursing education and healthcare quality. Her professional interests include academic leadership, rural healthcare workforce development, nursing workforce innovation, and preparing the next generation of nursing professionals.
Education
- Doctor of Nursing Practice, Health Systems Executive Leadership, University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing (2023)
- Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Education, Indiana State University (2013)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing (2008)
Certifications
RNC-NIC, CNE, CPHQ
Research
- Healthcare Workforce Sustainability
- Nursing Staffing Models and Workforce Planning
- Healthcare Economics and Resource Utilization
- Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Evidence-Based Practice Implementation
- Clinical Practice Innovation
- Organizational and Systems Leadership
- Nursing Education and Student Success
- Rural and Frontier Healthcare Workforce Development
Publications
- Swant LJ, Zedreck-Gonzalez J. Innovative Staffing Models: Rethinking Legislated Nurse-to-Patient Ratios in the Era of Technology and Remote Care. The Journal of Nursing Administration. Forthcoming.
- Swant L, Warner KE, Zedreck-Gonzalez J. Legislating Nurse Staffing: Projected Impact on Hospital Economics, Process Flow, and Hospital-Associated Infections in Montana. J Nurs Adm. 2024 Jul-Aug 01;54(7-8):409-415. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001449. PubMed PMID: 39016556.
- Swant LJ, Fairchild R. Placing the bottle or breast in their premature hands: A review of cue-based feeding research. Journal of Neonatal Nursing. 2014 June; 20(3):122-128. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2013.09.003.
Professional Service
- Montana Healthcare Workforce Advisory Committee (2025-current)
- National Forum Committee state level subscribing member
- Collaborative Nursing Education group (2025-current)
- National Forum State Advocacy committee (2023-current)
- National Forum Research committee (2023-2025)
- 69th Montana Legislature
- Informational witness for Senate Bill 3225 (2025)
- Volunteer Appointment – Adjunct Faculty (2024-current)
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing
- Online Journal of Nursing Workforce (2024-current)
- Journal article reviewer prior to publication
- Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies (HMHB) Advisory Board (2024-current)
- Montana VA Post-Baccalaureate RN Nurse Residency Advisory Board (2023-2026)
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (2023-current)
- Essentials Champion
- Policy Advocate – Outreach to Montana federal delegates
- 68th Montana Legislature
- Informational witness for House Bill 568 (2023)
Memberships and Affiliations
- National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)
- National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers
- Academy of Neonatal Nursing
