Your Westmont Nursing Hits 100% Success Rate

COVID-19 pandemic and a looming healthcare crisis with projections that California could be short 44,000 registered nurses by 2030.

Swimming Team Earns Academic Accolades

The Westmont women’s swimming team has capped off an historic season by being named Scholar All-Americans by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America. The teams were selected on the basis of their spring 2023 team grade point averages. The Warriors posted a team GPA of 3.38.

by Scott Craig, photos by Brad Elliott

All eight graduates of Westmont’s inaugural Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) cohort have successfully passed the National Council for Licensure ExamRN (NCLEX-RN) and begun careers as nurses. Half of these nurses serve in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. They completed the program in May 2023.

The 2023 national average for Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates passing the NCLEX is 83 percent; in 2022 fewer than 80 percent passed the exam, although 84 percent of California nurses succeeded.

“This is very positive as it’s the No. 1 metric state licensing bodies consider when gauging the success of a program,” says Dianthe Hoffman, interim nursing program director and faculty member.

Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis

Nursing welcomed its next cohort of 24 students – 20 women and four men – at an orientation on July 21 at the Westmont Downtown campus, 26 West Anapamu Street. The semester begins August 28.

“I look forward to continuing our mission of ‘preparing faithful servant leaders to provide patient-centered and family-supported safe, compassionate care for diverse populations and communities in all health care settings,’” Hoffman said. The 16-month ABSN program launched in spring 2022 amidst the

The CSCAA also selected Ella Chaisson (kinesiology), Olivia Garrison (religious studies), Bailey Lemmon (communications), and Daisy Marquardt (kinesiology) to the 2023 Individual Scholar All-America Team for achieving a minimum GPA of 3.50 and participating in their national championship. McKenzie Rion (business administration) made the Second Team.

“Congratulations to these exceptional student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding achievements both in the classroom and in their sport,” said Executive Director Samantha Barany. “The CSCAA takes pride in recognizing individuals who excel in academics while competing at the highest level.”

Jill Jones Lin, who has been head coach of the team since its inaugural 2019-20 season, led the Warriors to their highest finish ever in March at the National Championships: eighth place.

Hansen Named Sports Performance Coach

Erik Hansen, a former student-athlete at UC Santa Barbara where he was a member of the men’s swim program, has been tabbed as Westmont’s new sports performance coach. He will also serve as the assistant women’s swimming coach and will teach kinesiology and physical activity courses.

“As we look to the future of Westmont athletics, it’s critical that we continue to invest in the health and well-being of our students,” says Athletic Director Rob Ruiz. “Bringing on a sports performance coach allows us to make important strides in the areas of injury prevention and strength development.”

Hansen graduated from UCSB and earned a master’s degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific. For the last decade, he has worked at Cate School in Carpinteria where he developed the school’s strength and conditioning program and served as the swim coach. Prior to that, he was the performance coach for the Buenaventura Swim Club and was an assistant swim coach at Ventura College.

Guar Bean Fiber: What Is It and Why Is It So Good for Gut Health?

If you want to improve your gut health, there’s a tasty and effective remedy you shouldn’t overlook: guar bean fiber, often known as guar gum. A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition throws light on the extraordinary benefits of this fiber source for your gut.

Researchers investigated the relationship between guar bean fiber, gut bacteria, and general gut health in an intriguing small-scale study including 12 healthy adult males. The participants took eight grams of guar bean fiber during an 18-day period while reporting on gastrointestinal feelings, gas passage frequency, and general discomfort. Simultaneously, researchers examined gut bacteria diversity and metabolic changes associated with guar bean fiber ingestion.

The team discovered that continued consumption of guar bean fiber leads to a selective adaptation of metabolic activities, yielding prospective health benefits. By the 17th and 18th days of the trial, participants had seen significant increases in digestive wellness and mood.

Furthermore, beneficial bacteria such as Agathobaculum butyriciproducens and Lachnospira pectinoschiza proliferated, resulting in improved gut health.

“These data are highly relevant,” one of the study’s authors said, “considering the widespread use of guar gum in food production, its metabolic benefits related to its modulatory effect on intestinal absorption, and its potential application for the treatment of functional digestive symptoms.”

If you’re looking to reap the benefits of guar bean fiber, look no further than yogurt, soups, and fiber supplements. Although the sample size of the study was modest, and more research with a bigger sample size, including women, would be beneficial, having guar bean fiber in your diet is a sensible decision for supporting gut health.

Quality fiber supplements containing guar bean fiber might be a wonderful addition to your daily routine for individuals looking for a convenient and dependable solution.

The link between gut health and general well-being is apparent, with mood, energy levels, and digestion all influenced. By including guar bean fiber in your diet, you can increase the diversity of helpful gut bacteria and increase your fiber consumption, resulting in a happier and healthier gut. So, why delay? Accept the benefits of guar bean fiber and set out on a path to a more colorful and comfortable self!