15329-LUSON Spring 2024 Newsletter

School of Nursing Fast Facts

Legacy is about leaving a long-lasting impact. When Dr. Falwell founded Liberty University in 1971, he had a legacy vision. Staying in line with Dr. Falwell’s vision, the Liberty University School of Nursing (LUSON) is committed more than ever to Training Champions for Christ who care with their hearts and their minds, exhibiting our art and science to those in need here and around the world. This issue of our newsletter highlights some of LUSON’s legacy stories that reflect Christ’s love and excellence — URLUved ministry to long-term care facility residents, a LUSON alumna hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, graduates preparing for and excelling in the Next Gen NCLEX-RN exam, the retirement of a LUSON legend, an interprofessional event with LU School of Aviation, our Simulation Center reaccreditation, and much more.

Our faculty and staff never stop hearing of the impact LUSON’s graduates are having in the field of healthcare. As the challenges in healthcare grow daily, I feel inspired and empowered by the way our LUSON community and alumni are meeting these challenges. If you are interested in creating your own legacy with us, we are always

A MESSAGE FROM THE

DEAN

looking for Christian nurses to help teach the next generation in the clinical setting in Lynchburg, Roanoke, Salem, and Richmond, Va. Please scan the QR code to apply to be a clinical instructor for the BSN residential program.

You can also add to the legacy mission of LUSON by donating to the Dean’s Excellence Fund. This fund is used to help students — online and residential — who need financial support while in school. Through this fund, we have helped students purchase textbooks and uniforms and aided in tuition costs. See the QR code below.

SCAN HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE DEAN’S EXCELLENCE FUND

You are being prayed for as you navigate each day. You are always a part of our family. “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Romans 12:5 (ESV)

With much appreciation,

Dr. Tracey Turner

EdD, MSN, RNC-OB Interim Dean, Liberty University

New Faculty and Staff

Elizabeth Anderson — Practicum & Admissions Coordinator, Undergraduate Programs

Sharee Birkett, DNP, FNP-BC, RN — Associate Professor

Kayla Bullman — Practicum Coordinator, Graduate Programs

Lindsey Frett, MSN RN — Assistant Professor

Emilee Harker, MSN RN — Adjunct Faculty

Brenda Henderson, MSN RN — Adjunct Faculty

Shelly Jenkins — Practicum Coordinator, Graduate Programs

URLUved

DANA WOODY AND CINDY GOODRICH

“Love each other, as I have loved you ...”

John 15:1 is the guiding verse of the URLUved campaign, which launched in the Summer of 2022, in the NURS 442: Pre-licensure Strategies for Community Health Nursing Clinical course. URLUved was created to show love through service to vulnerable populations in the greater Lynchburg community. In the Fall of 2023, the campaign focused on the geriatric population.

Junior nursing student Josie Camiola researched isolation in the geriatric population and revealed that this struggle increased mortality. The concerning findings prompted the idea to build care packages.

These packages included a blanket, coloring book, colored pencils, journal, lotion, and reflection book. The contents were funded through the support of the LU Illuminate Grant.

Community Health Nursing students delivered these packages to a local assisted living facility, Runk & Pratt at Liberty Ridge. They worked to build relationships with clients over 4 weeks, further supporting students in their understanding of the aging process and the power of presence. We look forward to seeing where the Lord will lead us next as we continue to be His hands and feet to the vulnerable!

Staged Aviation Disaster Training

DANA WOODY

According to the World Health Organization, interprofessional education (IPE) “occurs when two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improved health outcomes.” IPE events at LUSON have afforded students a variety of experiences to develop communication, collaboration, and teamwork as they work together across disciplines.

The first LUSON IPE event took place in 2017. Dr. Mitch Morrison and Dr. Dana Woody, in coordination with Andrew Walton, director of safety for Liberty University School of Aviation (LUSOA), devised a training experience to benefit students. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of event had been put on hold until this past year.

After months of planning alongside LUSOA, a mock aviation disaster

was carried out in partnership with Lynchburg Regional Airport on November 16. This event included a staged crash of a Piper PA-44 Seminole into a crowd of spectators resulting in several wounded victims and even a DOA (dead on arrival). Eight crisis nursing students, led by Dr. Rachel Harris, three Community Health Nursing students, led by Dr. Dana Woody, and ten moulage victims made this experience come to life on runway 17. Ancillary players included pilots, airport personnel, police officers, emergency medical support, media, Red Cross volunteers, and representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, making this an invaluable IPE event for both the LUSOA and LUSON students — one that they will not soon forget.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rates:

A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE FOR BSN GRADUATES

Dr. Heather Humphreys

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)

The Liberty University School of Nursing (LUSON) demonstrates a commitment to serving the Lord with academic excellence, strong clinical skills, and a ministry of caring and compassion. For the residential BSN program, first-time pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination [for] Registered Nurses (NCLEXRN) are an indicator of excellence. To assess clinical judgment more accurately, the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCSBN) updated the NCLEXRN in April 2024.

The BSN program leadership and faculty worked diligently for multiple years before the updated NCLEX-RN was released to help their students prepare for the exam. Examples of NCLEX-RN preparation activities included increased utilization of clinical case studies, integration of new test item types in exams, and implementation of

the NCSBN Clinical Judgement Measurement Model to guide reflection and debriefing. Additionally, students complete NCLEX-RN preparation quizzes, develop a post-graduation NCLEX study plan, and attend an intensive live review in their final semester in the BSN program as part of the Transition to Practice course. BSN students were also offered the opportunity to enroll in an online post-graduation NCLEX-RN prep course with quizzes, case studies, and practice exams.

The NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time testers was 100% for LUSON graduates in the second and third quarters of 2023, in comparison to the national average for first-time testers in BSN programs of 93.42%. The performance of Liberty graduates on the NCLEX-RN contributes to the LUSON legacy of excellence. Our BSN program continues to provide a strong foundation for entering professional nursing practice to serve as the hands and feet of Christ.

A Legend and a Legacy:

BELOVED PROFESSOR CINDY DROHN RETIRES

Dr. Mary Lynn Clarke (Liberty ’03)

Ms. Drohn joined the BSN clinical faculty in January 2002, working with the junior BSN class of 2003 initially. This was my class! She was the kind of professor who would chase you around the Emergency Department quizzing you about things like the activation of the inflammatory cascade and what that would mean with vascular pressures, perfusion, and clinical picture. She was always applying pathophysiology to her clinical group by discussing it with them in both the clinical setting and the classroom. I have never learned so much from any one clinical instructor/professor.

Professor Drohn soon became a full-time faculty (taught 100s-400s), with her specialties being ED clinical, health assessment, and pathophysiology. She is adored by her former students and has mentored so many. She received several faculty awards, including the

Extraordinary Nursing Faculty (Daisy Foundation). Her Drohn-isms (quotes) are alive and thriving within LUSON. Her impact is legendary.

Her life’s verses are Jeremiah 29:11 and Jeremiah 33:3. The legacy Ms. Drohn wants to be most remembered for is her motto, “Be Jesus to your patients.” Remember who you work for. If your practice reflects Jesus in all you do, your patients will love you, and you will never do your job halfway.

Professor Cindy Drohn announced her retirement in May 2023 after 20+ years of faithful service within LUSON. She has retired in the Lynchburg area, which means we look forward to her visiting with us in LUSON. Well done, good and faithful servant!

Simulation Center Reaccreditation

LISA FOOTE

The Liberty University School of Nursing (LUSON) Simulation Center — granted full accreditation status in 2018 — received reaccreditation standing for Dec. 2023-28 (5 years). Both initial accreditation and reaccreditation were granted by The Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), an international simulation organization founded in 2004. The Society for Simulation in Healthcare has awarded accreditation to simulation centers worldwide since 2010 and grants accreditation to simulation centers “with dedicated resources (personnel and equipment) whose mission is specifically targeted toward improving patient safety and outcomes through assessment, research, advocacy[,] and education using simulation technologies and methodologies” (Society for Simulation in Healthcare, 2017).

To be accredited, LUSON Simulation Center demonstrated compliance with core standards and fulfillment of standards for teaching/education.

In Nov. 2023, the simulation center participated in a virtual reaccreditation site visit from SSH. In addition to the Simulation Center Core Team, members of leadership, Simulation Champions, student representatives, and LUSON support staff were interviewed for the reaccreditation process.

LUSON Simulation Center strengths identified by SSH include:

• High number of simulation-based experiences integrated into LUSON nursing clinical courses by Course Lead Faculty.

• Teamwork between the Simulation Center Core Team, Course Lead Faculty, and LUSON Leadership.

• Financial support for LUSON Simulation Center by LUSON Leadership and Liberty University.

The LUSON Simulation Center Core Team developed a quality improvement tool — the Ensuring Quality Improvement Plan (EQuIP) Tool — that was recognized by SSH as demonstrating “Exemplary Practice.” The Simulation Center Core Team was invited by SSH to present the tool at the International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) 2024 Conference in San Diego, Calif.

The simulation center plays a critical role in providing nursing students with the skills needed to be competent, compassionate nurses in a Christian environment, preparing them for the challenges of the healthcare workforce.

Nurse Camp Summer 2023 hosted 50 high school students in a fun-filled, 3-day learning experience, introducing them to the art of nursing with multiple hands-on activities. The campers also had the opportunity to interact with current nursing students, getting the “real deal” as to what nursing school is truly like.

As the LUSON simulation team and our simulation opportunities continue to grow, so does our influence in the world of simulation and nursing education. At the Virginia State Simulation Alliance (VASSA) 2023 Annual Conference, the LUSON simulation team presented in 3 breakout sessions, sharing LUSON simulation events with other experts in the field.

A Journey of Resilience

RACHEL HARRIS

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ALUMNA CONQUERS THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Emily Johnson, a 2018 graduate of Liberty University’s School of Nursing (LUSON), completed a 184-day, 2,500mile hike across the Appalachian Trail. Emily, known as CobwebRose on the trail, embarked on this venture driven by a passion for hiking and a desire to recover from the burnout experienced during her five years in nursing amid a pandemic.

The trek presented numerous challenges, including severe weather and mental exhaustion. One particularly dangerous moment came during an electrical storm with flash flooding, highlighting the physical risks involved. However, she says the biggest challenge is the one you cannot escape: your own mind.

“There is something about being so stripped down to the basics on the trail that makes you change your perspective on life in general,” Emily reflects. It was in these moments of vulnerability that she learned that she had a much deeper inner strength than she knew possible.

Despite the moments of doubt and the temptation to give up, she found strength in her faith, the support of her husband and parents, the guidance of a fellow hiker nicknamed Cristus Cowboy, and the camaraderie of her “tramily” — a term affectionately used to describe the family formed on the trail. “God does not leave you even in the deepest valley. When you lack the strength to hike for yourself, He will carry you,” she shares, attributing her resilience to the divine support that guided her through the toughest times.

The parallels between her rigorous training at LUSON and the demands of the trail were not lost on Emily. The

discipline, focus, and dedication required to complete her nursing program mirrored the qualities needed to undertake such a monumental hike. Yet, beyond the physical and mental challenges, it was the people she encountered along the way that truly transformed her journey into an unforgettable experience. “The trail changes your perspective on life, and it definitely changed mine,” Emily reflected.

Her detailed account is available on her YouTube channel, “CobwebRose on the Trail,” offering inspiration and insights into her journey.

EMILY JOHNSON

Faculty Highlight: Dr. Christine Brooksks

DR. ALEX BOGGS

At LUSON, we love to celebrate the accomplishments of all of those in our family, especially when they are doing work to meet a need in our world. One of our faculty in the MSN program, Dr. Christine Brooks, has authored

a book that highlights ways nurse practitioners can set up their own practice. In a day when more and more people are disconnected from healthcare due to price, regulations, or proximity, Dr. Brooks points out a critical need and provides a pathway for other entrepreneurially minded individuals to pursue their dreams. From funding, taxes, staffing, and technology, Dr. Brooks leaves a clear and concise foundation for starting a healthcare-related business, entering entrepreneurship, and opening up a practice. She details the history of solo practitioners, contractors, and consultants in healthcare and how to practically apply their experiences to meet a need that is tangential to the traditional nurse practitioner role and sits at the heart of being the hands and feet of Christ.

Dr. Christine Brooks has taught at LUSON for nearly a decade and teaches courses such as NURS 503 – Managing Population Health in our MSN program. She currently operates her own company, making house calls to older adults who are homebound or who have difficulties leaving their homes. You can find her book, Nurse Practitioners as Entrepreneurs, on Amazon.

Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina

LUSON PH.D. STUDENT DONNIE JOHNSON HONORED Rachel Joseph

Since 1989, the North Carolina Great 100 Nurses organization has recognized and honored registered nurses in North Carolina for their commitment to excellence and their promotion of a positive image of the nursing profession. Award recipients are chosen based on how they promote and advance the profession of nursing in their practice and/or community; demonstrate integrity, honesty, and accountability; display commitment to patients, families, and colleagues; demonstrate caring and assist others to grow and develop; and radiate energy and enthusiasm and contribute to overall outcomes in their practice setting.

Every year, thousands of applications are submitted. In Oct. 2023, LUSON

Ph.D. student Donnie Johnson (DJ) was honored with the award at a statewide gala in Raleigh, N.C. He stated, “It has been a great honor and humbling experience to be nominated for this once-in-a-lifetime honor by my leaders and colleagues.” As an emergency room educator for the ECU Health Medical Center, he considers receiving this recognition for excellence as a top highlight of his nursing career. He added, “Nursing for me is not a profession but rather a calling from God. I thank God for all the accomplishments and awards that I have been recognized for.” I am so proud of DJ who is expected to defend his dissertation in Spring 2024.

DONNIE JOHNSON (CENTER) WITH PARENTS PAM AND DONNIE JOHNSON

Student Highlight: Joy Byrnes

STACY TAYLOR

Joy Byrnes has worked as a certified nursing assistant, a health unit coordinator, an emergency medical technician, a firefighter, and a paramedic. In 2004, she started with the Virginia Army National Guard, and in 2006, she transferred to the D.C. Army National Guard Aviation Unit as a medic. In 2010, she attended flight school, and since then she has acquired over 1,300 hours of flight time between the Black Hawk and the Lakota helicopters.

During her time in the D.C. Army National Guard, Joy was deployed to D.C. for riots, Afghanistan, and the southern border of the United States. Joy has also worked as a paramedic on military bases in Kuwait.

Joy has been a part of several mission trips to Mexico where they hold a Bible school for the locals. During the oneweek Bible school, they incorporate martial arts, puppet shows, and drama to present the Gospel to the people of Mexico.

She is currently completing her Bachelor in Nursing degree. When deciding where to attend nursing school, Joy considered several schools in the area, but God opened the door for her to attend Liberty. She stated, “You are walking the path, but you are not paving the path — God is.”

Joy passed her NCLEX-RN examination at the beginning of 2024. She plans on getting more flight time before retiring from the D.C. Army National Guard later this year. She is hoping to start her nursing career as an RN in the emergency department and then, down the road, become a nurse practitioner or a pilot for an airline. She has also considered working in the mission field.

When asked what kind of legacy she would like to leave behind, Joy had some encouraging words. “You can’t limit yourself or be scared of an opportunity. Don’t limit yourself and let others decide things for you. Don’t ever let yourself be the limitation.”

One of Joy’s favorite sayings that had an impact on her came from the 2008 Central Virginia Community College Commencement speech. Lynchburg local Leland Melvin spoke to how people who make a big difference have average intelligence and above average motivation. Some have above average intelligence but lack motivation. The focus is the motivation.

JOY BYRNES