DiversityNursing Blog

About a month after passing his state licensing exam, Arthur Greenbank was cashing a paycheck in his field.

The University of Akron graduate is not alone: Of all the majors that students can choose, it is nursing that offers the best chance for employment.

“I tell graduates not to worry, that they almost certainly will land a job within a few months of graduating,” UA nursing administrator Cheryl Buchanan said. “If they would go to Florida or Michigan, they would find a job immediately.”

Researchers at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce examined 2009 and 2010 census data to determine what college majors are most likely to lead to jobs.

“People need to pay attention to this,” center director Tony Carnevale said. “It tells you that if you really want to be an architect, that's fine, but you're going to have to think more about what your plan is.”

“Hard Times, College Majors, Unemployment and Earnings 2013: Not All College Degrees are Created Equal” notes that the unemployment rate for recent nursing graduates is 4 percent. Meanwhile, the typical unemployment rate for majors in many liberal arts fields is double that, and that of architecture and fine arts graduates is more than triple at 13.9 and 11.1 percent, respectively.

What the researchers don't know is whether the graduates were working in their major. Some college majors don't have clear career paths.

That was reflected in the unemployment rates for area ethnic and civilization studies (10.1 percent) and philosophy and religious studies (10.8 percent).

Other majors, such as architecture, have suffered in the economic downturn, although their unemployment rate is gradually improving, Carnevale said.

Only 50 to 54 percent of recent college graduates are working in their majors, Carnevale said.

That means that some “employed” college graduates really might be working in fields once reserved for high school graduates: the proverbial English major driving a cab, for instance.

That can be an expensive outcome, given the cost of college.

“There is lots of pressure now to find out what the value of the college major is,” Carnevale said.

He said that graduates with certificates in heating and air conditioning from a community college can make more than typical graduates with bachelor's degrees.

“It's all about the field of study,” he said.

Buchanan, the UA nursing administrator, said all 55 of the spring 2012 nursing graduates who responded to a UA survey are working in their field or are attending graduate school.

Although nursing might be the fastest route to a paycheck, other majors can eclipse it in salary, according to the Georgetown study.

Electrical engineering ($57,000), mechanical engineering ($58,000) and civil engineering ($50,000) pay more at the start than nursing ($48,000). Same with graduate degrees: Those in nursing earn $81,000 compared with $107,000 for majors in pharmaceutical sciences and administration, $96,000 for chemistry majors and $101,000 for economics majors.

Source: TribLive

By Mable Smith, PhD, JD, MSN, BSN, RN

A diverse nursing student body builds the foundation for a diverse workforce that can become effective in the provision of culturally competent care to patients. Our student body at Roseman University of Health Sciences is reflective of the diversity seen in the population that consists of Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders, to name a few.  This diversity is reflected in the health care system among workers and patients. Students bring a wealth of information that is shared with each other and with faculty.

For example, in a class discussion on nutrition, students from various cultures shared how and what types of foods are used to treat certain illnesses. There were discussions on how food should be presented, such as hot versus cold, raw versus cooked.  Some students shared the significance of family presence during meals even for hospitalized patients. These discussions quickly incorporated religious practices and certain etiquettes to promote “religious correctness” when interacting with various cultural and religious groups. Students also provided insight into generational differences and changes with emphasis on the fact that many in the younger generation have not adopted the strict traditions of their parents and grandparents.

Several students picked up on the stereotyping of religious and cultural classifications.  Two students of the same racial group, but from different parts of the U.S., highlighted the differences in their beliefs, values, health practices, diets and even religion. Both are African American students, with one raised Catholic and the other Baptist.

Students in the College of Nursing are assigned to groups and remain with their group through the program of study. They learn to work with a racially and culturally group of people, address issues, confront problems, and share in successes. They rely on each other during clinical rotations to address the diverse needs of patients. More importantly, this foundation in education provides the tools for them to effectively interact with members of the interprofessional health care team.

The diversity in the College is the strength of the program. Learning from each other promotes collaboration, encourages innovation, and leads to respect.

Nursing is both an art and a science. While the science is fairly uniform, the art is often learned from experiences and interacting with others. These students graduate with a strong knowledge base, but most importantly with a mutual respect and appreciation of individual differences.  Educational policies should promote, not hinder, diversity.

Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

SOURCE: American Sentinel University

By Erica Moss

Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Studies shares “The American Nurse,” a collection of photographs from Carolyn Jones, exploring the unique lives of nurses from across the country, capturing extraordinary personal stories through photography and interviews.

Here, we present some of our favorite excerpts from this incredible book, which help celebrate the important role of the nurse in the U.S. health care system and shed light on what it really means to practice in this important role. 

By Lois Gerber, RN, BSN, MPH

It was my first nursing visit to Thad and Larissa. The three of us sat around their kitchen table discussing how to best manage an exacerbation of Thad’s multiple sclerosis. Tears welled in the corners of Larissa’s brown eyes as she twisted a strand of her strawberry blonde hair around her finger. 

"His MS seemed to get worse overnight," Larissa said. "He can’t walk up the stairs anymore without hanging onto the railing for dear life. [Our doctor] says it’s time for a stair lift." 

"I can beat these new problems," Thad replied. "Prayer, persistence and exercise. My sales manager suggested a disability leave, but I refused. Give me a month here at home. I’ll show him." His hands shook as he hitched his belt over his potbelly. "There will be no damn chair lift in my house. Mind over matter." 

I took a deep breath, remembering that the physician referral documented an exacerbation of an aggressive form of MS that limited the chance of significant recovery. Double vision accentuated his mobility problems. 

Hope and unrealistic expectations — a common but difficult scenario I’d often seen in my work as a home healthcare nurse. But how to best help Thad accept his limitations while keeping hope in his heart? And convince Larissa to encourage her husband to be as independent as possible?

First, I needed to do a complete assessment and work with the couple to develop an effective long-term care plan with an overall goal and the individual steps to accomplish it. Without realistic expectations, Thad and Larissa’s fears and anger would further the family dysfunction.

I paused. "Thad, physical therapy can strengthen your muscles and improve your walking. An occupational therapist can teach you ways to deal with small things like brushing your teeth and shaving."

"I’ve already had two stints with them and learned everything I need to know," he said, clenching his fists.

I looked at Thad. "Let’s make a deal. You agree to have physical and occupational therapy for four weeks and I’ll visit twice a week, communicate with the doctor and follow up on any problems you have. Then we’ll talk about the stair lift." 

Over the next month, I counseled Thad and Larissa, individually and as a couple. "I’m scared what will happen to me if Thad dies," Larissa admitted one day while we were alone, reviewing handouts on managing the disease. 

"That’s understandable, but overprotecting him and not letting him do what he can safely do hurts his rehab potential." I highlighted sections in the pamphlets that pertained to caregiving.

She frowned. "I’m angry at him for getting sick and feel guilty about that, too. We’re only 55. If he got hurt, I’d blame myself. That’s why I’m overprotective. I’m scared."

I nodded. "All your feelings are normal. Most caregivers feel the same."

"No one else I know has to deal with MS. I’m alone, depressed."

"The Multiple Sclerosis Society has a caregiver support group that meets every week at the city library. That’s where you’ll find people who feel just like you. Talking with them will help."

Thad’s fear and anger manifested in denial instead of depression. "It’s hard to get the mind and the body working together sometimes," I told him. "With a chair lift, you could save your energy for things that are important and that you enjoy."

"Like going to work?"

"That could be a realistic goal. What about cutting back to three days a week?" 

He smiled. "I can live with that. And Larissa’s right. The stair lift is a good idea."

Helping clients set realistic goals is important to keep hope alive. Unrealistic goals foster fear, denial, anger and depression. But without hope, clients lose the moorings for their lives. 

Source: Nurse.com

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announced Monday that it is investing $20 million in the new Future of Nursing Scholars program to support some of the country’s best and brightest nurses as they pursue their PhDs. In its landmark nursing report, the Institute of Medicine recommended that the country double the number of nurses with doctorates; doing so will support more nurse leaders, promote nurse-led science and discovery, and put more educators in place to prepare the next generation of nurses. The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, which hosted today’s event to launch the new program, will serve as the national program office for the Future of Nursing Scholars program.

“Implementing the Institute of Medicine nursing report is a major priority for RWJF, because we cannot achieve our mission to improve health and health care without a robust, well-educated nursing workforce and many more highly educated nurse leaders,” said John Lumpkin, MD, MPH, RWJF senior vice president and director of the Health Care Group. “The PhD-prepared nurses the Future of Nursing Scholars program supports will help identify solutions to the country’s most pressing health problems, and educate thousands of nurses over the course of their careers. They will be positioned to lead change and inspire the next generation of nurses.”

Fewer than 3,000 of the nation’s more than 3 million nurses have doctoral degrees in nursing, and many of them have DNPs, not PhDs, which prepare nurses to conduct research and teach. The average age at which nurses get their PhDs in the U.S. is 46—13 years older than PhD earners in other fields.

In 2014, schools of nursing will apply to join the Future of Nursing Scholars program, which will support up to 100 PhD nursing candidates over its first two years. The first scholars will begin their PhD studies in 2015. They will receive scholarships, stipends, mentoring, leadership development, and dedicated post-doctoral research support. To expand the new program’s reach, RWJF has developed a strategic philanthropic collaborative to engage other donors.

“Having supported nursing in our region for 10 years, we are very proud to be the first foundation to join this new collaborative, which is bringing together diverse funders to support the PhD-prepared nurse leaders the country needs,” said Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation. “We expect the nurse scholars this program supports to transform health care through innovation in their communities and nationwide.” Marshall-Blake said the Independence Blue Cross Foundation is committing $450,000 over three years to support nurses in becoming transformational leaders in education, research, and policy.

The co-directors for the Future of Nursing Scholars program are Susan B. Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN, RWJF’s senior adviser for nursing and Julie Fairman, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Nightingale professor of nursing and director of the Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
Other speakers at the launch were: Afaf I. Meleis, PhD, DrPS (hon), FAAN, the Margaret Bond Simon Dean of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing; Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and an RWJF Nurse Faculty Scholar whose research is helping older adults suffering from dementia; Munira Wells, PhD, RN, an RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholar whose research focus is New Jersey nurses who were born in India and faced culture shock in the United States; and Maryjoan Ladden, PhD, RN, FAAN, senior program officer at RWJF.
 

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable, and timely change. For more than 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or Facebook atwww.rwjf.org/facebook.
 

About the Independence Blue Cross Foundation

In October 2011, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, launched a charitable, private foundation, whose mission is to transform health care through innovation in the communities it serves. The IBC Foundation and Independence Blue Cross, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, are both committed to improving the health and wellness of the people of southeastern Pennsylvania. The foundation targets the following areas of impact:

• Caring for our most vulnerable: Supporting nonprofit community health center clinics that deliver quality, cost-effective primary, medical, and dental care to uninsured and underinsured people.

• Enhancing health care delivery: Strengthening the nursing workforce through education, career development, and research.

• Building healthy communities: Partnering with community leaders and programs to address community health and wellness needs.

Source: Newswise

By  Jennifer Smola 

Sixty-one years after graduating from Mount Carmel College of Nursing, one of the school’s first black graduates is finally hanging up her stethoscope.

June Todd, 83, retired yesterday from Dr. Charles Tweel’s family-medicine practice on the Northwest Side. Todd graduated from Mount Carmel in 1952, in a class of 52 nurses. All were women, and, for the first time, four were black.

Todd, who lives in Worthington, attended Harding High School in Marion, north of Columbus. She considered studying library science, but her school librarian told her she would have a hard time getting a job in the North because of her race.

“I said, ‘That’s not going to work,’  ” Todd recalled. “So I decided I wanted to become a nurse."

Her race seldom made a difference during her nursing career, she said. And she has fond memories of her time at Mount Carmel.

“I loved the nuns,” she said. “Everybody was so nice.”

Tweel described Todd as a “ball of energy” who never missed work. She’s popular not only among her co-workers but with patients, who “like seeing her more than they like seeing me,” he said.

Enid Patterson, a patient for 10 years, said she was sad to see Todd go.

“She’s not just my nurse,” Patterson said. “She’s my friend.”

When Tweel hired Todd 13 years ago, she planned to stay only a year or two, she said, but she stuck around because she liked the work.

Her co-workers said she brought humor and energy to the office every day.

“She’s the only 80-some-odd-year-old woman that has an opinion on everything from Hillary Clinton to why Chris and Rihanna should not be together,” co-worker Beth Shahan said. “She’s very with-it and hip.”

Though Todd is retired, she says she’s not done working. She plans to volunteer at local nursing homes and perhaps at a Worthington library.

The job of nurse anesthetist comes with many attractions. There’s a high level of responsibility, a challenging work environment and the chance to do good for others. There’s also the prospect of virtually assured employment.

“I saw that there was going to be job security. It would pretty much always be there,” said Navy Reserve Lt. j.g. Loren Gaitan.

Gaitan, 33, is working on her master’s degree at Florida International University in a full-time, 2½-year program. A former neonatal nurse, she is looking to the anesthetist specialty as a way to increase her skills and take on more responsibility.

It could be a lucrative move: Salary.com puts median annual pay at nearly $180,000.

Nurse anesthetist is one of several fast-growing nursing specialties. Thanks to changes in national health-care laws, a range of concentrations in the nursing field are rising to the fore. With new mandates requiring employers to insure their workers, the health-care system will see a flood of new patients, said Connie White Delaney, dean of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. “The opportunities across the nation will be just profound,” she said.

Job options

Any of these growing jobs could be an easy fit for a veteran with training as a military nurse:

Nurse practitioner: This person typically has a master’s degree as well as a certification from one of several national bodies. The practitioner may diagnose illnesses, examine patients and prescribe medication. “They are not just going to treat the symptom. They will say, ‘You need to diet. You need to exercise,’ where a physician might just give you a pill,” said Gerrit Salinas, director of the recruiting agency Snelling Medical Professionals. “A nurse practitioner can help people feel like they are more than just a number.” The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners puts the mean salary at $91,310.

Nurse informatics: With the rise of electronic medical records, the role of the informatics nurse has become increasingly significant. These workers don’t just convert paper into electronic records; they also must be well-versed in patient care, privacy issues and technology. They may work in medical settings but also in home health agencies, insurance companies and other entities involved in the management of digital records. The average salary is $98,702, according to the Health Informatics Forum.

Case management nursing: Here again, changes in health-care law are driving demand. As new care models evolve, providers will be expected to coordinate medical treatments in order to ensure efficient and effective care. That’s a big part of the case management job description. Case management nurses typically coordinate long-term treatment, especially for patients with chronic conditions. The average salary is $73,000, according to job site Indeed.com.

Geriatric nursing: Care for seniors is a fast-growing field as the nation’s aged population swells. Medical issues may include diabetes, respiratory problems, hypertension and other conditions. Geriatric nurses offer treatment, while also offering guidance to patients and families. The average salary for a geriatric nurse is $54,457, according to ExploreHealthCareers.com.

Home health nursing: As the name suggests, home health-care providers deliver services to those whose conditions allow them to stay at home but who still require ongoing medical attention. The field is growing fast, largely on account of the rapidly expanding population of older Americans. Salaries average around $40,000 but can vary widely by geography.

Go anywhere

There are numerous avenues into nursing, including specialized fields. The American Nurses Association,http://www.nursingworld.org/, offers guidance.

To support veterans in the field, the government’s Health Resources and Services Administration makes grants to colleges and universities with expedited curricula that help train vets for careers as physician assistants. The Veterans Affairs Department employs a range of nurses.

“We recognize this as an opportunity to support veterans who have served the nation, and as a chance to help fill some shortages in the health care area. It’s a win-win situation,” said Joan Wasserman, Advanced Nursing Education Branch chief for HRSA’s Bureau of Health Professions.

Many schools offer programs of various lengths for those looking to get into the field. Advocates say it’s worth the effort.

“Nursing is one of the best careers you can get into because it is so flexible,” said Pat Harris, associate director of a program at Arizona State University Online that helps practicing nurses earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. “No matter what changes are in the wind in health care, you are going to be in a key position. Once you have that license to practice medicine, you can go anywhere.”

Source: Marine Corps Times

By Neal St. Anthony

Registered nurse Rachele Simmons walked away from a $100,000 career two years ago.

She still isn’t generating enough cash to pay herself a salary from the St. Paul business she started in 2011. But if passion and commitment matter, Simmons already is wealthy from her mission to train and place more minorities in health care jobs.

And as business continues to grow at fledgling Foundations Health Career Academy, Simmons should generate positive cash flow by the end of this year.

“Rachele is phenomenal,” said Tom Thompson, administrator at St. Paul’s Galtier Health Center. “She’s positive and she knows what she is doing. We’ve hired some of her graduates and never had any problem. Her people are very good. And we have a diverse clientele in our facility. So we need staff who speak different languages and who are from different backgrounds and races.”

Simmons is the founder, teacher, marketer and chief bottle washer at Foundations Health, a state-certified private school that has graduated 160 students through its four-week, certified nursing assistant/home health aide program. For many graduates, the course offers a first step into the growing health care industry into jobs that can pay as much as $20 per hour plus benefits.

Simmons, 44, has been a hospital nurse and last worked as a manager at Walgreens, training managers and others to use retail-medical equipment. And she always worked a shift or two a week as a hospital nurse to build a rainy-day fund.

Over the years, Simmons got used to being the only black nurse on the floor or in managerial meetings at Walgreens.

She also knew that health care is a growth area, particularly lower-cost primary care that can be delivered relatively inexpensively outside the hospital and help keep patients in their homes.

She also thought she could be an inspiration to young people of color.

“I just wanted to give something back,” said Simmons, who decided, as her sons reached adulthood, she could handle some business risk. “I had been involved in nursing for 25 years. I was always the nurse called to see the ‘diverse’ patients, often black. It meant so much to them.

“This is what I was called to do. Maybe we can start something that … will get more people of color in nursing, in science, in medicine. We need more black nurses and Hmong nurses and more diversity in health facilities.” She’s even had a couple of white medical students take the class because they wanted to learn the grass roots and work in diverse clinics.

Foundations Health, housed in the Hmong Professional Building a mile west of the State Capitol on University Avenue, is a first business step for Simmons.

Simmons is no stranger to drive and hard work. Divorced when her sons were toddlers, Simmons said her ex-husband never paid child support, forcing her for a short time onto public assistance. The St. Paul Highland Park High School graduate completed two-year nursing school in St. Paul and worked days while completing her registered-nurse degree at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, often bringing her boys to play in the commons while she attended class.

“She was a successful nurse and thrifty with her money,” said Isabel Chanslor, a business trainer with nonprofit Neighborhood Development Center, which for 20 years has provided training to several thousand would-be urban entrepreneurs, including Simmons. “She did not want to take a loan.’’

Last month, NDC recognized Simmons for her commitment to community as a finalist in the organization’s annual entrepreneurial awards.

“She’s a gutsy lady,’’ Chanslor said. “She’s high energy, sharp, rides her little motor scooter everywhere. She has a good business plan and she’s a really good instructor and very focused and dedicated, according to her students.”

Simmons has invested $50,000 in space and equipment. She uses word-of-mouth and social media to attract students. The 80-hour course costs about $950.

“My students are mostly young, single, with kids, without kids, battered, not battered, on welfare, not on welfare … most of them are working poor,” Simmons said. “If they want to work hard and truly better their life, we’ll take them.”

Na Yang graduated from Foundations Health in 2011, but can’t work as a nursing assistant because of an injury. So, she joined the office as a part-time office manager.

Simmons said Yang works more hours than she’s paid because of her commitment to the cause and the need to stay on top of the paperwork.

“You couldn’t find a better instructor,” Yang said of Simmons.

“She’s knowledgeable and passionate. She couldn’t do this without her passion.”

Source: Star Tribune

By Karren L. Johnson

After a nearly 15-year journey — which included raising three children and working full time as a registered nurse -- Terra Brown of Susquehanna Township is just months away from completing her bachelor’s of science degree in nursing.

“It took a lot of hard work but it was worth it,” said the 42-year-old Brown, who works at Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute in Lower Paxton Township and entered the nursing field with an associate’s degree. “It feels good to know I improved both my knowledge and myself.”

Brown said she wants to teach other nurses and plans to go on to earn a master’s in nursing.

According to a recent survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Brown isn't alone in her pursuit to further her nursing education. The number of students enrolled in baccalaureate degree completion programs — also known as RN to BSN programs — increased by 13.4 percent from 2010 to 2011, the study found. Master’s programs reported a 7.6 percent jump in enrollments in 2011.

For current nurses and those looking to enter the field, the future looks bright. A 26 percent increase in the demand for new nurses is expected between 2010 and 2020, equating to 711,900 new jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“A driving force behind this increase in BSN enrollment is the Institute of Medicine’s “The Future of Nursing” report that calls for the number of nurses who hold BSNs to increase to 80 percent by 2020,” said Betsy Snook, a registered nurse and the CEO of the Pennsylvania State Nursing Association.

“To meet this goal, which will help meet the needs of our growing population and more complex health care environment, there has been a trend among hospitals to require nurses to complete a BSN degree or higher,” Snook said.

While this goal does take a certain amount of initiative from nurses, it isn’t on them alone to achieve, Snook said. It also requires the support from employers and organizations such as PSNA, as well as education institutions, to help nurses achieve a higher level of education and training.

A choice to advance

Armed with a BSN from York College of Pennsylvania, Patricia Himes was excited to begin providing care to people. She joined the staff of a local hospital where she worked as a charge nurse for about six years. While she loved her job, she found herself curious about opportunities for growth.

“I’ve always had an urge to learn more and do more,” said Himes, who had heard there was a growing need for certified nurse practitioners.

As a result, she went back to school while working full time, receiving a master’s degree and her nurse practitioner training from Widener University’s Harrisburg campus.

“We are seeing a very large growth in nurses seeking advanced degrees, particularly as nurse practitioners,” said Geraldine M. Budd, assistant dean in Widener University School of Nursing’s Harrisburg campus. Budd said nurse practitioners provide most of the same services as physicians, making them especially important for practices and hospitals in disadvantaged areas without many physicians.

For now, Himes wants to just continue her overall growth and development while working for PinnacleHealth FamilyCare in Lower Paxton Township. But she said she definitely sees herself getting a doctor of nursing practice down in the future.

Nurses who do get additional training will find themselves in demand.

“With many of the highest trained nurses in the teaching arena reaching retirement age, there is also going to be a real need for qualified nurses to step into roles as nurse educators,” Budd adds.

Enhanced educational programs

Among the BSN to RN programs seeing a surge in enrollment is the one offered by Penn State Harrisburg. The school has seen enrollment increase by 25 percent between 2011 and 2012, said Melissa Snyder, coordinator for the nursing bachelor’s program.

“To best meet the needs of our students, we offer an evening format, a hybrid format, which is a combination of online and face-to-face classes and periodic all-day formats,” Snyder said. “We also ensure that nurses are graduating with solid skills in leadership, critical thinking and research, all things that employers are looking for.”

While enrollment in its BSN programs has increased, Penn State recently announced that it is phasing out all of its associate nursing programs and transitioning them to four-year baccalaureate programs, Snyder said.

Some community colleges are finding other ways to appeal to students who want more than an associate degree. For example, Harrisburg Area Community Collegerecently created a dual admission partnership with Millersville University to keep their graduates competitive and to provide a seamless transition into a bachelor’s program.

“We have always been very clear with our students that an associate degree is not an end point and we encourage they should seek further education,” said Ron Rebuck, director of nursing at HACC’s Harrisburg Campus. “The trend that I’m seeing is that by the time our nursing students graduate, a majority of them are already enrolled in a BSN program.”

Ever since Jeremy Whitmer graduated from high school just over 10 years ago, he has made it his personal mission to advance his nursing career. Despite being deployed to Iraq with the National Guard, he was still able to earn an associate’s degree, as well as a BSN degree thanks to HACC’s dual admission program.

“It was the perfect route for me because it provided a lot of flexibility,” said Whitmer, who is now working in Holy Spirit Hospital’s cardiovascular operating room. “I feel that having a BSN degree has given me many more leadership opportunities, as well as critical thinking and time management skills that I apply to my job every day.”

Support from employers

Having recently applied for magnet status, a designation awarded by the American Nurses Association that denotes nursing excellence, Holy Spirit Health System takes pride in being in full support of helping its nurses reach a higher level of education, said Brenda Brown, director of human resources.

“We know there are a lot of great nurses coming out of associate programs,” Brown said. “When we see such a nurse who exemplifies our values, we will support them in completing their BSN within four years of their hire.”

In addition, Holy Spirit offers a tuition reimbursement and an RN scholarship program, as well as an education loan repayment program. It also pays for all certifications. Currently, 42 percent of the hospital’s nurses either have bachelor’s or master’s degrees in nursing, she said. There are currently 88 nurses enrolled in bachelor’s programs and 27 are working toward their master’s in nursing, she said.

Sherry Kwater, chief nursing officer for the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, said 57 percent of the center’s more than 1,800 nurses have a BSN. She said many have advanced their education while working at the center, which is a magnet facility.

“At Penn State Hershey Medical Center, we have so many specialty patients who require nurses with a body of knowledge around that patient population,” Kwater said. “Education is our mission here, so we migrate towards hiring nurses who are educators or specialists with a focus in a specific area. This also helps raise the skill of the bedside nurse.”

 Himes, the nurse with PinnacleHealth, credits the support from her coworkers for enabling her to grow and gain increased confidence in her field.

“The physicians are very supportive and very willing to teach me how to do things that I’ve never done before or that I’m insecure about,” she said. “I couldn’t be happier about my career path. It’s been a great testament of how the field of nursing is growing and that the opportunities are endless."

Source: The Patriot News