2008 Woodie Awards
Peters (Hall) Principles: Spotlight on Nursing dept.
For the next 3 issues, the Advance will place the high-beams on a department based in Peter's Hall of Science
Kat Benton
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News
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With over 60 students in the current nursing program, this graduate of the University of Colorado has been busied with department improvements in staff as well as teaching four courses during the academic year. Brown mentioned that "seeing students realize and light up when they understand a concept in class" is among her favorite moments as a professor.
A slew of prerequisites starting in the first two years at KWU make it a prestigious major to be involved in. A student must show strong academic ability, a commitment to long-term goals and maturity.
Brown also mentioned that among the most difficult aspects of being the director of nursing is finding more qualified staff members such as those already at KWU.
"There is a shortage of nurses and especially those with their master's and clinicals to teach," said Brown. "Competition with hospitals is difficult because they are now paying more."
The nursing program is in rapid growth. A large reason is the popularity that clinical time has on the student-nurses.
They begin this hands-on, patient time starting the first semester of their junior year (or second year) in the program.
The clinical involves giving medicine to patients, treating patients and changing their dressings.
"My favorite part about the nursing program is clinicals where we actually get to go to the hospital and see what it's like to be a nurse hands on," said Janna Macy, a student-nurse in her second semester of her senior year.
The student nurses also enjoy the one-of-a-kind convenience that clincals provide. All the time and hands-on work can be completed in Salina. While other school nursing programs must travel to complete their internships and study-time, KWU students can take care of it all at the Salina Regional Health Center. Another perk that Brown mentioned was the small campus, which allows for more one-on-one interaction and participation.
"It's a great program [because] it allows for the first two years to be really experienced with a liberal arts influence. The program provides a good approach to teaching human beings."
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