NURSING. School of. NOTES ON NORTHERN NURSING Monthly newsletter of the NIU School of Nursing. What a Value! August

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1 Northern Illinois University School of August 2015 IN THIS ISSUE: What a Value! Clinical Agency Breakfast Alumni Spotlight Health Care Study Abroad Honors Poster Day Student Spotlight Clinical Partner By the Numbers Faculty News Important Dates NOTES ON NORTHERN Monthly newsletter of the NIU School of Nursing What a Value! Value Colleges recently produced a list of the Top 50 Value BSN programs in the nation and NIU s School of Nursing made the list, coming in at #21. Value Colleges conducts research and ranks reputable degree programs to find the perfect balance between quality and cost. For this list, they looked at Healthcare Career s 2015 College Return on Investment (ROI) Report, U.S. News and World Reports College Rankings, and credit hour per tuition rate. All schools had to be accredited to be considered. School of Nursing and Health Studies College of Health and Human Sciences Northern Illinois University 1240 Normal Road Dekalb, IL (815) nursing@niu.edu phhe@niu.edu In addition to the program highlights, the website also identified NIU s proximity to Chicago and all the resources and potential jobs that brings to the table. Copious job opportunities mean a better chance of paying off any debts you incur in school, increasing your degree s ROI and making NIU look like a better investment than ever. 1 Source:

2 Clinical Agency Appreciation The NIU School of Nursing and Health Studies (NUHS) and numerous local clinical agencies have a combined interest in the success of students. NUHS relies on clinical agencies to provide a practical learning environment for their students, a key component for future career success. Local clinical agencies rely on NUHS to provide future employees who are prepared, academically and ethically, to be viable, productive employees for their agencies. With such closely related interests, the relationship between them is an important one. To recognize and celebrate that relationship, NUHS hosted a Clinical Agency Breakfast in July as a way to thank agencies and also to get some feedback on the program and NUHS students. After a light breakfast and some social time, Dr. Jan Strom led the group of 46 clinical agency representatives and NUHS faculty through a short activity designed to solicit feedback about the program and how to improve it. All agreed on the value of a clinical experience as part of a formal education program. Some agency representatives noted clear student growth in areas of professionalism and communication even within a single semester. Some of the challenges identified were in developing leadership skills in students, finding enough clinical positions for all students to benefit and program management with limited resources. Dr. Strom plans to continue the Agency Appreciation Breakfast on an annual basis. Joe Stock, Class of 13 Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL Favorite Instructor: Mary Rudnicki Current Position: RN in the ICU at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, IL Hobbies: Hanging with friends and family; reading to stay current with nursing Goals: Become a flight nurse; grad school for FNP or Nurse Anesthetist 2 Advice for current students: - Start good habits now. Study regularly and work hard even when you don t want to or think you need to - Trust your instructors. Some things they teach you will make more sense later in the program or work place - Ask for help early. Don t wait too long. - After graduation, don t get discouraged. Apply for jobs even if you don t meet every qualification. Be open to new experiences.

3 Studying Health Care with a Cultural Twist The NIU Study Abroad Office (SAO) and the NIU School of Nursing and Health Studies coordinated their efforts to host another edition of the program Exploring Ireland s Health Care System this summer. This is the third year the program has been offered, giving students an opportunity to travel to Ireland for a first-hand look at their health care system. The program is co-directed by Dr. Jeanette Rossetti and Dr. Karthleen Musker, both from the School of Nursing and Health Studies (NUHS). Field trip to the Cliffs of Moher The primary purpose of this program was to provide participants with the opportunity to explore a variety of health care services in Ireland. During this program students learned about the history of Ireland s health care system, Ireland s health care services, and the preparation and education of Ireland s nurses. In addition, students were exposed to the cultural opportunities that the beautiful country of Ireland has to offer. Thirteen students and the two co-directors arrived in Dublin, Ireland on June 28 th and departed on July 12 th. Their itinerary took them to Trinity College in Dublin and the National University of Ireland in Galway. Upon return to NIU, students provided presentations to highlight what they learned on this study abroad experience. Riverdance! One of the participants, Natalie Werner, said that this experience helped her decide that she wants to pursue midwifery nursing at the graduate level in the future. She also said that adventure is the best way to learn. Program Highlights Guest lectures by faculty from Trinity College and the National Univ. of Ireland; Numerous hospital and clinic visits; Dinner at the home of the Director of Nursing of St. Patrick s Hospital; Field trips to the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands; Riverdance! Dr. Rossetti said, This being the third summer study abroad trip has given us the opportunity to build relationships with many of the guest speakers and hospital colleagues. The itinerary has also been adjusted each year to fit students interests and academic fields of study. This year saw students from nursing, rehab services and psychology. Students interested in going next year should watch for the announcement through the NIU Study Abroad Office in the spring. 3

4 Honors Poster Day Honor s Poster Day is held every semester and is an opportunity for all nursing students who completed an in class honor s project or honor s capstone project to submit a poster showcasing their honor s work. Dr. Mary Elaine Koren and Dr. Jeanette Rossetti host this day and their respective honor s course sections of nursing research and mental health psychiatric nursing require the poster completion as part of the honor s requirement. A variety of faculty volunteers join in to judge the posters and award the top 3 posters. The posters are displayed in the halls of the nursing building and students, faculty, administration, and guests come and view the posters and students share highlights of their learning. This year due to an outstanding group of posters, 4 winners tied for first place! The first place winners were Courtney Crutchfield, Emily Bunton, Erika Kraus, and Olivia Lloyd. The fall 2015 Honor s Poster Day will be held on Thursday November 19, 2015 from noon to 1pm. Plan on coming to support the Honor s Nursing Students! Cadet Alis was Cadet of Month in March 14 Breanna Alis Hometown: Rockford Major: Nursing (Track III) Extras: A senior Cadet in the NIU ROTC program; also a member of the Color Guard, Rifle Team and Mission Support (mascot handler). Hobbies: Singing, dancing, outdoor sports (you should hear her sing the National Anthem!) Goals: Graduate in December 2016 and become an active duty Army nurse Favorite part of nursing program: Sim lab and the great instructors; most challenging class so far was Adult Health I. Olivia Lloyd Courtney Crutchfield Emily Bunton Erica Kraus 4

5 Clinical Partner Highlight: Alexian Brothers Medical Center The NIU School of Nursing and Health Studies partners with many local agencies in the joint venture of educating tomorrow s medical professionals. One of those important partners is Alexian Brothers Medical Center (ABMC) in Elk Grove Village. ABMC is a 387-bed acute care hospital with over 900 physicians on staff. They have been serving the Chicago area for over 40 years and treat more than 18,000 patients a year. Each semester, NIU sends undergraduate nursing students to ABMC, where they get quality clinical experience and mentorship from academic and medical professionals. BY THE NUMBERS In their landmark study of 2010, the Institute of Medicine called for an increase from a 50% to an 80% BSN workforce by Trends indicate that many Associate Degree RNs are headed in that direction. Source: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 5

6 F A C U L T Y NEWS & NOTES S T A F F Dr Patricia Braun will be speaking and participating in the International Parish Nurse Conference Study Tour in New Zealand September 24-Sept 30. The conference will provide the opportunity to observe and discuss health system delivery, school health and the Parish /Community nurse role with nurses throughout the world. Dr Braun s presentation will focus on her clinical /academic work in establishing health policy and programs to address school health issues such as obesity in children for elementary and high schools in inner city Chicago. Zachary Bohn, NUHS Office Manager, was appointed as a Voting Member of the Operating Staff Council of NIU for a 3-year term. Additionally, he was then elected as Treasurer for OSC. The OSC represents their constituency as an integral part of the university governance system through its participation, communication, advisement, and assistance on issues. At 26, Mr. Bohn is the youngest person to hold this position. What a great representative of NUHS! NUHS Welcomes Your Support Gifts targeted to the School of Nursing and Health Studies are appreciated year-round and go directly toward program enhancement. Faculty Week August Classes Begin August 24 SNO Welcome Back Picnic August 31 NURS Program Achievement Awards October 19 Class of 1965 Reunion October 24 Honors Poster Day November 19 Pinning Ceremony December 12 Donations can be directed to a specific program within the School or to the School in general. Please (1) make out check to NIU Foundation, (2) write where the To Donate money should be designated in the memo line*, and (3) send to Christine Radtke, NIU Foundation, Altgeld Hall 135, DeKalb, IL If you would like to contribute in a different way, please contact Christine Radtke at cradtke@niu.edu or (815)