Nursing school's first year finishes well
New students participated in variety of events; school looks to grow for 2009-2010 school year
Paige O'Rourke
Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: News
Motivated by the desire to introduce a full-fledged nursing program to the Willamette Valley, Western has recently added a Bachelor's degree in Nursing to its campus. With the aid of Ore. Senators Peter Courtney and Jackie Winters, both funds and space were made available for the new program. Teaming up with OHSU, this program - initiated in September of 2008 - has been going well during its first year.
Within this year, 89 qualified students have applied for entrance into the program; the program currently has 27 admitted students and plans to admit an additional 32 students by fall term 2009.
"Prior to our arrival, few options existed for individuals in this area who were seeking to become a nurse," said OHSU Administrative Coordinator Hilary Holman-Kidd. "Potential nursing students might attend Chemeketa to earn an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing), or they could complete WOU's Pre-Nursing program. Western recognized that there was a local need for a Bachelor's program that wasn't being filled by the current options, and they sought to fill that need."
In addition to new classes on campus, the inclusion of a Nursing Program at Western has opened up several exciting opportunities both around campus and within the Monmouth community.
Nursing students were able to take part in Western's Health Fair this February, receiving the chance to meet with several guest lecturers - including OHSU Program Director, Jean Donovan - and visiting local elementary schools to educate students on health promotion.
"Our partnership with WOU and the local community has been terrifically successful so far," Holman-Kidd said. "In less than one year, we have built a number of clinical partnerships in the mid-Valley community, including Salem Hospital, Central School District and local long term care facilities."
National Nurses Week, which takes place each year between May 6 and May 12, opened up even greater opportunities for nursing students.
Nurses Week has traditionally been a time to honor not only all past and present nurses, but to give special recognition to Florence Nightingale and her enormous contributions to the modern nursing profession. With this year's theme of "Building a Healthy America," Holman-Kidd said the week "recognize[ed] nurses for their value as public health educators and honor[ed] the role they play in caring for America's population."
Within this year, 89 qualified students have applied for entrance into the program; the program currently has 27 admitted students and plans to admit an additional 32 students by fall term 2009.
"Prior to our arrival, few options existed for individuals in this area who were seeking to become a nurse," said OHSU Administrative Coordinator Hilary Holman-Kidd. "Potential nursing students might attend Chemeketa to earn an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing), or they could complete WOU's Pre-Nursing program. Western recognized that there was a local need for a Bachelor's program that wasn't being filled by the current options, and they sought to fill that need."
In addition to new classes on campus, the inclusion of a Nursing Program at Western has opened up several exciting opportunities both around campus and within the Monmouth community.
Nursing students were able to take part in Western's Health Fair this February, receiving the chance to meet with several guest lecturers - including OHSU Program Director, Jean Donovan - and visiting local elementary schools to educate students on health promotion.
"Our partnership with WOU and the local community has been terrifically successful so far," Holman-Kidd said. "In less than one year, we have built a number of clinical partnerships in the mid-Valley community, including Salem Hospital, Central School District and local long term care facilities."
National Nurses Week, which takes place each year between May 6 and May 12, opened up even greater opportunities for nursing students.
Nurses Week has traditionally been a time to honor not only all past and present nurses, but to give special recognition to Florence Nightingale and her enormous contributions to the modern nursing profession. With this year's theme of "Building a Healthy America," Holman-Kidd said the week "recognize[ed] nurses for their value as public health educators and honor[ed] the role they play in caring for America's population."
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