MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING
2018-2019
Millikin University School of Nursing 2018-2019: the year in review IN THIS ISSUE
EDITED BY PROFESSOR BRENNA ELSTON
A Note from the Director by Dr. Elizabeth Gephart, Acting Director
Greetings from the School of Nursing faculty and staff! It is hard to believe but another year has come and gone and the 2018-2019 academic year has come to an end. It has been a wonderful year with many memories for both students and faculty. Professor LeAnn Rhinehart joined the nursing faculty in the fall of 2018. She is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner who brings her expertise in adult health nursing and her work as an advanced practice nurse to students in the graduate program. In January 2019 we did welcome our first five students into the new DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program. The DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program offers both a BSN to DNP option as well as a MSN to DNP option and either as full time or part time plans of study. This brings Millikin to 47 students in the DNP program overall, and 25 students in the Master’s Entry into Nursing Practice (MENP). We are very pleased to to share that the MENP graduates in 2018 again achieved a 100% pass rate for NCLEX. The graduate program continues to grow and to be a leader in graduate education at Millikin. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program continues to thrive as well. In 2018 the BSN student pass rate for NCLEX was 90%. Thanks to all of the hard-working faculty who have spent countless hours working on curricular improvements to help our students learn and achieve their professional dreams. The RN to BSN program recently announced the signing of an articulation agreement with Richland Community College to create a more seamless admission and transfer process that starts with admission to both programs with the first nursing class taken. We look forward to a closer working relationship both with Richland and their nursing students and to helping the healthcare community to employee higher numbers of bachelor prepared nurses the coming years. As we look to the coming year, the faculty will be engaged in the work of preparing for the return the accreditation visit of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) which is scheduled for March 2021. We will be reviewing all three nursing programs (BSN, MSN, and DNP) looking at our outcomes and considering areas of improvement. r ca We would like to take this time to say good-bye to two dear colleagues as they move on to new adventures. Professor Charlotte Bivens who has been our Nursing and Clinical Simulation Lab Coordinator for thec last 15 years will be leaving Millikin at the end of summer. Dean Deb Slayton who has been a leader of the School of Nursing and most recently Dean of the College of Professional Studies is retiring from Millikin after 39 years of dedicated service. Both of these wonderful professional nurses will truly be missed. Dr. Pam Lindsey will be acting as Interim Dean for the College of Professional Studies starting August 2019. Dr. Elizabeth Gephart will be acting as Director of the School of Nursing to cover Dr. Lindsey starting August 2019.
School of Nursing Events On several occasions throughout the year, nursing faculty and students join together to celebrate various accomplishments and promote lifelong learning.
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Performance Learning We believe that performance learning is key to becoming a successful nurse. In addition to learning in the classroom, students take that new information into various settings to obtain hands-on practice, including the simulation lab on campus, to area hospitals, and into the community.
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SON Faculty & Staff Happenings New Faculty LeAnn Rhinehart joined the Millikin University School of Nursing faculty in August 2018. She came from Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois where she was an oncology nurse practitioner. Most recently, she headed the practice’s federal Oncology Care Model (OCM), a model aimed at providing streamlined cancer care at the same or lower cost to the Medicare population. She has been published in the Oncology Nursing Society Journal and in a study promoting oral oncolytic adherence through Medicare while working with the OCM. While practicing as an oncology nurse practitioner, LeAnn demonstrated a strong drive and passion to keep patients out of the hospital through cooperative palliative care practices involving nurse practitioners, nurses, physicians, patients and their families/caregivers. LeAnn obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Mennonite College of Nursing in 1989 and her Master of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner degrees from Illinois State University in 2011. She has worked in cardiac care, neurology, intensive care, crisis pregnancy, dialysis, medical, office, and interventional radiology as a staff nurse. She has six children, three by birth and three by bonus, and is married to Larry. She loves to flower garden, bake, Querkle, read, bike and host parties. LeAnn states that she is thrilled to be among such esteemed faculty and bright students at Millikin and that the first year at MU has truly been a blessing.
Retirement Dr. Deborah Slayton, Dean of the College of Professional Studies (CPS), is retiring after 39 years of service to Millikin University. In her most recent role, Dr. Slayton has held administrative responsibility of the School of Nursing, the School of Education, and Exercise Science and Sport. A Professional Registered Nurse, Dr. Slayton previously served both as a faculty member and the Director of the School of Nursing. During her time at Millikin, she has touched many lives and has left a lasting impact on the hundreds of students, faculty, and patients she has served. We appreciate all that Dr. Slayton has done for the School of Nursing over the years and wish her well in retirement!
Achievements • • • • • • • • • • •
Professor Gina Canny became a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). Dr. Angela Bentley had a journal article published in the Journal of Vascular Nursing. Dr. Ashley Garner, DNP became certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Vicki Caldwell received her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Millikin University. Professor John Blakeman was named a 2019 Nurse Educator Fellow by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Administrative Assistant, Bonnie Niemeyer, was named the Millikin University Employee of the Month for January. Dr. Pam Laskowski defended her dissertation and received her PhD from Illinois State University. Dr. Julie Kennedy defended her dissertation and received her PhD from Illinois State University. Professor John Blakeman had articles published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing and Advances in Nursing Science. Professor Francis Oke, Dr. Mary Jane Linton, and Professor John Blakeman presented at the American Public Health Association’s annual meeting and expo in San Diego, CA. Professor John Blakeman and Dr. Pam Laskowski had an article published in Nursing Education Perspectives and also presented at Memorial Medical Center’s 25th Annual Nursing Research Conference in Springfield, IL.
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A Year of Growth for the School of Nursing In an attempt to help meet the growing demand for primary care providers, in January 2019, the School of Nursing launched the new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program. Individuals who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing degree are eligible to apply for this program that offers part- or full-time enrollment options with courses taught face-to-face, online, or in a hybrid format. Upon graduation from this program, individuals will be eligible and prepared to take a national certification examination. In addition to the Family Nurse Practitioner program at Millikin University, the Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia Program continues to prepare nurses to become nurse anesthetists. Pictured to the right is the cohort of nurse anesthesia students that began the program this year.
Student Accomplishments Nick Halford, a nurse anesthesia student in the DNP program, received a second place award from the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation for a safety check sheet that he developed to aid in safe delivery of anesthesia. Halford is pictured to the right with Dr. Dana Flatley.
Senior nursing major, Amy Given (pictured to the left with Dr. Vicki Caldwell), was awarded the Being Exceptional Everyday (BEE) Award from HSHS St. John's Hospital for her exceptional care during clinical.
On the left, BSN students Cody Gray & Alice Bernard discuss their poster with Professor Francis Oke. Below, Master Entry into Nursing Practice (MENP) student Alisha Larrison, stands with her poster that won first place.
This past April, undergraduate and graduate nursing students presented posters and podium presentations on many important topics at the annual Celebrations of Scholarship day. Nursing students winning awards for the poster symposium were Alisha Larrison, Katlyn Niepoetter, Angela Thunder, Kelsey Pierson, Carly Kirk, Yvette Musanganya, and Cali Melton.
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School of Nursing Events Legacy of the Lamp by Dr. Mary Jane Linton
Millikin School of Nursing held its annual Legacy of the Lamp Ceremony on October 5, 2018 to recognize 39 undergraduate nursing students’ transition to upper division nursing courses and six Master’s Entry into Nursing Practice (MENP) nursing students’ entry into their final year of nursing classes. Each student received a lamp in honor of their achievement. Jennifer Wolfe Grenier, DNP, RN-BC (’02) was honored as the 2018 Distinguished Nursing Alumnus of the year. Dr. Grenier presented the address titled, “Work Hard, Be Nice and Amazing Things Will Happen.” She encouraged students to be positive and accept new challenges to find their passion in nursing. Since graduating from Millikin in 2002, Dr. Grenier has made significant contributions to nursing and her community. In 2015, Grenier started the Surplus Project by leading the packaging of surplus food from hospital cafeterias in Chicagoland and donating it to local homeless shelters. The success of the project resulted in expanding her efforts in the Chicagoland area, resulting in ten Chicagoland organizations preparing an excess of 50,000 meals over the past three years. Dr. Grenier is currently preparing to launch the second phase of the project, “Food is Medicine,” that will provide patients a month supply of food when discharged from the hospital. She is an inspiration to nursing students and exemplary of how an idea and an ambitious individual can improve the lives of many. Congratulations Dr. Grenier!
Undergraduate Pinning December 2018, by Professor Julie Standerfer
Millikin University School of Nursing celebrated the nursing profession at a Pinning Ceremony on Sunday, December 9th in the University Commons Ballroom. Dr. Pamela Lindsey, Director of the School of Nursing welcomed the 26 graduating students along with their family, friends and faculty and provided a history of nursing and the meaning of the Pinning Ceremony. Professor John Blakeman, chosen by the students as the faculty speaker, provided words of wisdom and encouragement as they launch into their nursing career. Students selected Professor Charlotte Bivens and Professor Gina Canny to present each student with their Millikin University School of Nursing pin. Allison Eggenberger, student speaker, spoke of fond memories of their journey through the nursing program. The ceremony concluded with a video the students compiled of their childhood picture and their graduation picture from the School of Nursing. Congratulations December graduates!
MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING
2018-2019
Graduate Celebration by Professor Charlotte Bivens
On December 9th, 2018, family and friends packed Millikin University’s University Commons ballrooms to celebrate the pinning of five Master’s Entry into Nursing Practice (MENP) students, recognition of one Doctorate of Nursing Practice-Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (DNP-APRN) and thirteen Doctorate of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNP-NAP) students. Dr. Mary Jane Linton serving as mistress of ceremonies introduced Dr. Pamela Lindsey, Director of the Millikin University School of Nursing who provided the welcome address. The MENP students chose Dr. Elizabeth Gephart and Dr. Mary Jane Linton to do the honors of “pinning” them with their hardearned nursing pin. Vicki Caldwell, a Millikin University School of Nursing professor chose Dr. Sheila Jesek-Hale to award her DNP pin.
CRNA Della Harpstrite, who was awarded the Robert F. Waldvogel Teaching Excellence Award, speaks to family and friends of the graduates.
Several students and faculty received awards during the celebration. As a class, the students voted to award the Robert F. Waldvogel Teaching Excellence Awards to Dr. Nicholas Sarros (MD Award) and Della Harpstrite (CRNA Award). The students gathered to take pictures with their classmates, faculty, and individuals who were instrumental in their journey toward graduation. Millikin University School of Nursing is very proud of these graduates. MENP: A’Kya Adams
Edouard Kalubi
Mallory Pierson
Abigail Robertson
Allison Lenihan
Second Row: Katie McGill, Cullen Whicker, Aaron McNutt, Jessica Ewalt, Katie Kocek, Dave Coleman, Lyndi Myers, Jereme Pheasant, Nick Sarros, MD.
DNP-APRN: Vicki Caldwell DNP-NAP: Dave Coleman
Kristin Derer
Jessica Ewalt
Brittany Jeffery
Katherine Kocek
Devon Little
Katie McGill
Aaron McNutt
Lyndi Myers
Jereme Pheasant Jennifer Pieper Cullen Whicker
DNP-NAP Graduates (left to right): Front Row: Shelby Wallace, Brittney Jeffery, Jennifer Pieper, Devon Little, Kristin Derer, Della Harpstrite, CRNA
Shelby Wallace
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Honors Convocation by Professor Brenna Elston
Several students were recognized with honors at the annual Honors Convocation on April 25, 2019. The following honors were awarded to nursing students: Alpha Tau Delta Honorarium Award: Karlie L. Lading, Decatur Memorial Hospital R.H. Cleland RN Award: Hayley E. Rogers, James Millikin Theory & Practice of Nursing Award: Sydney Garcia,
Left to Right: Sydney Garcia, Olivia Thomson, Karlie Lading, Carmen Hatton, and Hayley Rogers
Dortha F. Dean Nursing Award: Carmen Hatton, The Mary D. Shanks & Linda K. Niedringhaus Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award: Alisha B. Larrison, Major Thomas G. Storey Citizenship Award: R’riel Johnson, Eshelman Family Award: Hayley E. Rogers, and The Dr. Jan Devore Award for Excellence: Alice Bernard. The most coveted award for overall excellence at Millikin University, Scovill Prizes are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and service and scholarship. Through a highly selective process, two students, Sydney Garcia and Olivia R. Thomson from the School of Nursing were honored with the nomination for the university award.
Spring Undergraduate Pinning & Graduation May, 2019 by Professor Charlotte Bivens
On Sunday, May 19, Millikin University School of Nursing held their pinning ceremony. Fifteen students received their nursing pins signifying the culmination of their formal education to achieve the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree. Dr. Amy Yeates was chosen by the graduating class to address the students and those in attendance at the ceremony. Karlie Lading, the student speaker representing the class, outlined the challenges, joys, failures, emotions, growth, successes and achievements the class has experienced. She thanked the families, significant others, friends and faculty for their role in the students achieving this goal.
Congratulations to the Spring 2019 nursing school graduates.
Front Row (left to right): Jessica Daube, Danielle Makowicz, Cathleen Donnelly, Sara Kim, R’riel Johnson, Morgan Strohl Back Row (left to right): Hayley Rogers, Alexis Obermeyer, Shane Cook, Tori Marron, Caitlin Eversole, Jessica DeLaVergne, Destiny Clemons, Karlie Lading, Carmen Hatton
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What’s Happening on Campus? The National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1952 to mentor nursing students and foster their professional development. NSNA had a very productive year in providing community service, raising awareness related to current health issues, and educating its members on important topics. Last fall, NSNA hosted a trunk or treat to celebrate Halloween and increase engagement. In the spring, two educational opportunities were hosted: “Stop the Bleed” and a final presentation. “Stop the Bleed” educated members on lifesaving interventions for people that are experiencing traumatic hemorrhage. The financial presentation provided students with the opportunity to learn about important skills such as paying off student loans and saving for retirement. The members of NSNA proved their dedication to improving patient experiences by assisting in the training of therapeutic dogs from PawPrint Ministries that provide comfort to those in need. NSNA members also raised awareness related to Mental Health issues by hosting a lemonade stand. NSNA continues to provide benefit to nursing students, the Millikin campus, and the surrounding community.
Pictured to the left are undergraduate students that were inducted into Alpha Tau Delta (ATD) during the Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 semesters. ATD is a professional fraternity that was developed for students and professionals in the nursing field. Alpha Tau Delta offers opportunities for nurses and nursing students to promote their personal and intellectual growth through education, networking, scholarships, guidance, and a collective responsibility to the fraternity (atdnursing.org). This year, ATD members volunteered at The Good Samaritan Inn, the Share Walk, and the Little Miracles 5K!
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Student Nurse Athletes by Professor Brenna Elston
During the 2018-2019 academic year, over 40 students in the School of Nursing competed on a sports team. A few of those students are even members of two teams… wow! Participating in athletics while succeeding in nursing school requires exceptional dedication, time management, and perseverance. As a result, we think that these students deserve some special recognition! Here are our 2018-2019 student nurse athletes: Football:
Adam Hayes
Men’s Swimming:
Nicholas Hoerr
Men’s Soccer:
Austin Taylor
Women’s Golf:
Sera Bebon
Women’s Tennis:
Katie Cooper
Softball:
Jordan Hildebrand
Marcus Hayes
Collin Wilson
Rudy Mathieson
Women’s Basketball: Shelby Burgin
Jordan Hildebrand
Women’s Triathalon: Jaden Lockard
Elizabeth Schager
Women’s Cross Country:
Eryn Renison
Kara Weichman
Jesse Ellis
Daniel McNally
Evan Patterson
Avery Fisher
Bailee Krallman
Jaden Lockard
Alexis Obermeyer
Eryn Renison
Emily Ratchford
Kate Rukujzo
Madison Clarida
Skylar Harris
Kelsey McAtee
Maddie Sielski
Maddie Snow
Natalie Sullivan
Wrestling:
Maddy Eck
Hunter Crowley
Women’s Swimming: Danielle Bickel Women’s Track & Field:
Shelby Burgin Maddy Eck
Kelle Knopp
Kara Weichman Women’s Soccer:
Montana Malmen
Maddi Pabst
Chloe Scharfenburg
Kat Stiles
Women’s Volleyball: Lauren Brummel Marissa McElroy
Special Honors Jordan Hildebrand, a sophomore nursing student, was named to the 2019 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) All-Conference Second Team for women’s basketball! Jordan also competes on the university’s softball team. Way to go, Jordan!
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Performance Learning out in the Community During Fall of 2018, several undergraduate students (pictured below) participated in the Share Walk in Decatur to raise awareness for pregnancy and infant loss.
In October 2018, School of Nursing students (pictured above) hosted a free car seat safety check event for the community, in conjunction with the Macon County Health Department. Certified car seat safety technicians were on hand to ensure child passenger safety. Shown here are some students participating in the event along with Dr. Jo Carter, Associate Professor of Nursing.
Pictured above, students in Community Health Nursing visit Caterpillar, Inc. to learn more about occupational health. Below, NSNA members offer free blood pressure screenings on campus for Millikin students, families, faculty and staff during Homecoming and Family Weekend.
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Political Action Day 2019 by Dr. Pam Laskowski
On April 2, 2019, twenty-five students from the NU 410 Mental Health Mental Illness Nursing course and 12 students from the MENP Mental Health Nursing course attended Student Nurse Political Action Day at the BOS Center in Springfield, IL. This event is presented by ANA-Illinois each spring. The students learned about the strong voice nurses have in shaping health policy and how to use their voice in contacting legislators regarding political matters pertinent to nursing and health care. They heard Sue Clark, RN, Nurse Lobbyist, describe current health care policy legislation being considered by the General Assembly. Students participated in a poster contest and our own Jackline and Anita Wilson took second place! Our own Kayla Green was chosen as a banner carrier for the march to the capital.
Undergraduate student Kayla Green is pictured above, second from the left, holding the banner.
Undergraduate students Anita & Jackline Wilson
Nurses Week 2019 The School of Nursing celebrated Nurses Week 2019 at Millikin University with a variety of fun-filled activities. On Monday, May 6th, the comfort dogs from PawPrint Ministries came to the Leighty-Tabor Science Center and interacted with nursing students, faculty, and other students that were passing through the halls. The weather was so beautiful that day so we moved the dogs outside by the picnic tables for the last part of their visit. On Wednesday, May 8th we celebrated with a party featuring popcorn, cupcakes, cotton candy and a lot of laughter and conversation. Additionally, a number of fabulous door prizes were on display, and students were able to register for drawings that day. Thank you to our local hospitals and SON faculty for their contributions to the door prizes. Students and faculty also were able to wear SON t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets to show our program spirit. Thanks to all who participated in this special weeklong celebration, and a special thanks to members of the Student Involvement and Achievement Committee, who organized the events.
by Dr. Gail Fyke
MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING
Sigma Theta Tau Induction by Dr. Amy Yeates
On September 29, 2018, nursing students from Millikin University, MacMurray College and St. John’s College of Nursing were welcomed into Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Honor Society. The ceremony was held at The Commons on the beautiful campus of Millikin University, and those being inducted into the Nu Pi at-Large chapter of Sigma Theta Tau and their families and friends were welcomed by a fabulous breakfast provided by the Millikin University catering staff. To be eligible for membership into Sigma Theta Tau, the student must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be in the top 33% of his/her class, and have completed at least two thirds of their nursing program. Millikin University inducted 19 new members: Alisha Larrison, Sarah Lang, Heather Weigand, Sierra Birdsell, Anna Hall, Corina Presnell, Alexis Dockins, Molly Angell, Kayla Summers, Sara Kim, Cathleen Donnelly, Morgan Strohl, Shane Cook, Sydney Garcia, Kelsely Pierson, Yvette Musanganya, Abigail Brooks, Courtney Fraker, and Autumn Meyer. The guest speaker for the ceremony was Cecilia Wendler, RN, PhD, a long time member of Sigma Theta Tau, and previous Director of Nursing Research at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois. Dr. Wendler provided an uplifting talk on the many benefits and advantages of being in Sigma Theta Tau and highlighted several ways in which the organization had enhanced her career. The morning concluded with the awarding of the purple cords to each deserving student. Congratulations to all the new Sigma Theta Tau members!
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, September 27th Westminster Presbyterian Church (1360 W. Main St., Decatur, IL) Reception begins at 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall followed by the Legacy of the Lamp Ceremony at 4:00 pm in the sanctuary. Keep in touch with us throughout the year online! On Facebook, search “Millikin University School of Nursing” and be sure to “like” our page! Or, you can visit us at www.millikin.edu/nursing