A good nurse can make the difference in whether a patient improves.

Enter Virginia State University, where a nurse educator-turned-university provost has just been named interim president.

While not yet so critical as to be in intensive care, the 132-year-old institution in Ettrick definitely has suffered a financial health crisis that needs urgent care.

A skidding student enrollment and deteriorating financial situation have forced cutbacks in class offerings and student services, and may require faculty and staff layoffs.

Dr. Pamela V. Hammond is a wise choice of the VSU board of visitors to take the reins Jan. 1.

She rose from teaching nursing students to becoming dean of Hampton University’s School of Nursing to Hampton’s provost in 2009.

She has a broad background in academics, administration, management and development.

Her first real examination of the university and its ills begins in early December, when she starts on the VSU payroll as a consultant.

We hope this nurse can restore VSU to health.

And, like any holistic care, we call on the entire university community — from students and faculty to administrators and the board of visitors — to support her efforts toward success.