Betsy McDowell is Professor Emerita of Nursing at Newberry College. Dr. McDowell taught for almost 50 years in prelicensure programs in South Carolina. She was nursing department chair at Lander University and was founding department chair at Newberry College. She led curriculum development based on the Neuman Systems Model and directed national accreditation processes for both schools. Currently she chairs the Pediatric Nursing Excellence Task Force for the Society of Pediatric Nurses, is president of the Neuman Systems Model Trustees Group, and reviews manuscripts, abstracts, and grants annually. Her KATTS framework for NCLEX success was adopted by at least 12 prelicensure programs nationally to increase NCLEX pass rates. Previously she developed and taught an acute care pediatrics course for nurse practitioner students. Her clinical practice and scholarship as a pediatric critical care nurse include aiding children following Hurricane Hugo, assisting families with infants on home apnea monitors, helping child victims of domestic violence through a weekly support group, and using the Neuman Systems Model.

Dr. McDowell earned her BSN from the University of South Carolina, MSN from the University of North Carolina, and PhD in nursing science from the University of South Carolina.