Nursing News

The nursing department is moving and changing, a sign of the times:
Similar to all departments at the college, the nursing department has spent the last year working on semester conversion; led by the Curriculum Committee, the faculty have been diligently working on curriculum redesign and semester conversion. Thanks to the two faculty development grant awarded to Diane McPhillips, Associate Professor, the faculty participated in a two day development workshop and several webinars to prepare for the curriculum redesign. According to Prof. McPhillips, the goal this year is to post the content of each new course and the content assessments by student learning outcomes starting with the first year courses by May 2011.
Here are other exciting happenings in the nursing department:
Professor Bowers states, “The Nursing Department recently revised the curriculum and the pre-requisite requirements for the LPN-RN Completion Track. The revised LPN-RN track is designed to meet the LPN’s educational needs; it is flexible and recognizes the LPN’s knowledge and licensure. The LPN-RN track nursing courses are a hybrid model, which combines computer-based/online with face-to-face [in the classroom] delivery. Clinical learning experiences are also flexible and are provided in clinical learning environments that meet the learning needs of the LPN. Another change is the LPN-RN Completion Track is now offered every year.”
Professor Ellis is enthusiastic as she shares that the Student Nurse Association is making a comeback! Ellis states, “There has not been an active Student Nurse Association (SNA) on campus for several years. In response to a renewed student interest and faculty involvement that is about to change” Staring winter quarter, Nursing Students will have the opportunity to join the SNA, which will focus on community involvement, educational opportunities, and social events. To get our nursing community excited about the SNA, several events have taken place this quarter. RWC Nursing Department joined with the College of Nursing from the Uptown Campus and volunteered for ‘Into the Streets.’ This was a one day volunteer opportunity to help clean and rehab areas in Clifton. In addition, the Nursing Department will be sending three students to the National Student Nurse Association conference held this year in Cincinnati on Nov 4, 5, & 6. The selection of the student representatives was based on student essays addressing why they will best represent RWC and the Nursing Department at this national conference and meeting. Three students were selected; Elizabeth Wallace, Samantha Habedank, and Melissa Brinski will each be attending this exciting event”
Ms. Amy Naehring is leading the charge as technology is changing the delivery of nursing education. Naehring commented, “Simulation-based learning is advancing nursing education and Raymond Walters College Nursing program is keeping pace with these advancements. While human simulators cannot replace the learning experience gained from direct patient care, students are challenged and develop their skill sets in a setting that allows for mistakes; and where learning occurs through mistakes without placing the patient at risk. Simulation allows multiple learning objectives to be taught in a realistic clinical environment without harm to patients. Students are exposed to a realistic situation and need to combine their assessments, clinical decision-making skills, interpersonal communication skills, teamwork and management to care for the simulated patient. Following the simulation, students can reflect on their performances with a facilitator. By discussing their areas of strength and development in line with current evidence, they can begin to build competence and ultimately, confidence. The outcome is this learning can be taken into practice. At Raymond Walters College, we have multiple task trainers and two (2) Vital Sim human patient simulators. Our skills and simulation lab is evolving to meet the needs of the students and to ensure that students provide safe and effective patient care.”
In closing, Pearce stated, “The health care environment is changing rapidly. In addition to clinical skills, the nurse must have excellent communication skills, be technology competent, use critical thinking, and clinical reasoning to make clinical judgment in the care of a diverse patient population. The Nursing Department is preparing nurses to be more job ready. We need to ensure that our graduates can compete as they enter the workplace.