Anne Boykin, RN, PhD, Dean and Professor Emeritus 1980s - 2011
Dr. Anne Boykin has left an indelible mark on FAU, a graduate of Brooklyn College, began her decorated career in nursing in 1964, going on to receive a Master's degree of Nursing from Emory (1972) and her Doctorate of Higher Education from Vanderbilt University (1981). What makes Dr Boykin’s contributions impactful. Caring science and to Higher Education as a Dean of FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and later named Director of the ABI (Anne Boykin Institute) within the college.[1] Her research in the Nursing community is prolific. Dr Boykin co-authored a nursing philosophy, The Theory of Nursing as Caring as a holistic focus and set of values for the relationship between nurses and the patients they care for. The theory expounds on the idea that human beings are intrinsically and instinctually caring, and instead of treating people like a set of symptoms, treat them with compassion. Dr Boykin has an extensive career in academics, and she wore many hats, a dean, author, consultant, and center director. Dr. Boykin stepped down from her position as the director of the Anne Boykin institute in 2020 which is the beating heart of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. Internationally renowned, Dean Boykin redefined how nurses care for their patients with her Theories put into practice.[2] She collaborated with many other academics having a considerable number of published journals as well several books. Nursing as Caring: A Model for Transforming Practice (1993). A very sought after consultant, her theories practiced around the globe. Anne Boykin’s methodologies have transformed the nursing landscape. She has made the institute an integral part of the global conversation on the importance of Nursing.
[1] Laurenti, Lynn Klein, Linda Holtz, Louise Hinton, Maria Builes, and Carolyn Boltin-Kelly. Legacymakers : 100 Women of Distinction at Florida Atlantic University. Boca Raton, FL: Florida Atlantic University, 2016.
[2] "Navigating Nursing Theories: A Comparative Analysis of 'Nursing as Caring' and 'Transition Theory' in Practice- Review Article." International Journal of Advances in Nursing Management (2024). Gale Health and Wellness (accessed December 10, 2025). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A847380484/HWRC?u=gale15691&sid=bookmark-HWRC&xid=193ebb24.
