academic programs is commendable,"
Teams worked in the workplace, they
unaccustomed to online instruction
Undergraduate faculty who were
said Felesia Bowen, Ph.D., DNP, APRN,
began using it with enrolled students
were propelled into a world of distance
FAAN, assistant dean of undergraduate
and prospects to create and keep open
education by mid-March. With the
programs. "The entire college com-
lines of communication. Additionally,
outstanding support of the college's
munity has been so supportive of our
Student Services designed an online
technology team and faculty already
students."
orientation for new ABSN students, host
familiar with online teaching, these
Staff also became adept at many
frequent student-faculty townhalls,
educators became pros at web platforms
online tools they had never used before.
and continually update FAQ's on the
such as Collaborate, Panopto, and
For example, the Student Services
college's website. Even when changes
TurnItIn. Faculty quickly learned that
team began to use Microsoft Teams,
were occurring daily, keeping students
with some minor adjustments, such as
a communication and collaboration
informed was critical in alleviating
providing students with a weekly over-
platform that offers a variety of ways
any anxiety regarding their education
view, students could achieve course
to communicate, such as chat, video
during this unprecedented time. The
objectives a week at a time.
meetings, and file collaboration tools,
college continues to be committed to
as a way to synchronously connect
taking bold steps to create an inclusive
faculty and students worked together
"The collaborative process in which
with other team members other than
and quality nursing education model fit
to ensure the ongoing success of our
the traditional email system. Since
for the future.
PALLIATIVE CARE INITIATIVE
W
hen the World Health Organization designated 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, nurses
rejoiced for the recognition yet had no inkling of how prophetic that designation would soon be. Nurses on the frontlines of the
COVID-19 pandemic endlessly provide care and comfort to patients, connecting patients with their families through video chats and FaceTime, and bolster one another's spirits while navigating the myriad health care challenges faced during this unpredictable time. In addition to the many contributions made by nurses to promote a culture of health, the pandemic highlighted ways to improve the health care experience for patients and their families. One thing that has been glaringly apparent over the past year is equitable access to palliative care. Underserved populations are among the most severely impacted by COVID-19 and have a disproportionately higher number of COVID positive diagnoses and associated deaths. Access to palliative care ensures that a sufficient number of educated clinicians, who are prepared to address the palliative care needs of patients and families, is not only available but are met. A recent study by the S.C. Palliative Care and Quality of Life Study Committee found that nearly 54% of South Carolinians who died in 2018 would likely have been eligible for palliative care. Years before the pandemic spread around the globe, the college began planning a new program that would prepare advanced practice nurses to specialize in care for people with serious illnesses. The college felt it was hugely important that advanced practice nurses could obtain expertise and gain a deeper understanding of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of patients and families who are living with chronic and serious illnesses. Through a generous gift from the David R. and Margaret Clare Foundation, the College of Nursing developed a post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Lifespan Palliative Care program that began enrolling students in fall 2020. A first of its kind program in the U.S., this doctoral-level palliative care track will meet the growing palliative care needs locally, nationally, and globally by increasing the number of advanced practice nurses it puts into the workforce. "We are preparing advanced practice nurses who will provide evidence-based and compassionate care across the health continuum, from the point of diagnosis of a serious or life-limiting condition through supportive end-of-life care," said Carrie Cormack, DNP, APRN, lead faculty for palliative care education in the College of Nursing. This program could not have come at a better time. Amid so much suffering due to the pandemic, palliative care nurses have been given an incredible opportunity to help and serve others while giving patients and family members an added layer of support that they so badly need these days.
2021
LIFELINES
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