sessions ranging from Bylaws and Policies to Pharmacology Made
Insanely Easy (yes, singing was involved). There were plenary sessions where a range of professionals offered encouragement, inspiration, and empowerment to student nurses across the Nation. Information was gained, friendships were made, a city was explored. Ultimately, the Shepherd students that attended this Convention came back charged and ready to share that energy with the entire student body and faculty/staff at Shepherd University. There was also a student forum held on April 20, 2012 encouraging nursing students to become involved in future opportunities in SUSNA and NSNA.
On Tuesday, April 11, 15 students and 3 faculty/staff boarded a bus headed for Pittsburgh, PA. Destination: The National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) 60th Anniversary Convention and Alumni Reunion. There was an aura of excitement coming from everyone as we traveled down the road, and as we pulled up to the convention center, where the power of student
nursing and the opportunities awaited. The convention spanned over the next four days, and each student absorbed the
knowledge that was readily being offered.
Students participated in the 3 day NCLEX review, Red Cross Certification and daily seminar
The last SUSNA meeting of the Spring Semester was held on April 18th, with the focus on looking forward to the Fall semester. Members discussed areas of growth and how they could bridge the energy and information that they received at the NSNA Convention to the
Shepherd University Nursing Community. Some areas that were discussed, included: mentorship, organizational leadership, bone marrow drive, community outreach (blood pressure/glucose screening), and fundraising ideas. If you are interested in learning more and
joining the SUSNA, please contact Robin Soukup
(rsouku01@rams.shepherd.edu) or Christina Rodriguez
(crodri01@rams.shepherd.edu).
NSNA: Students Discover the Power of Nursing
I N T H I S I S S U E : NSNA Convention 1 SUSNA 1 Diversity and Cultural Competence Day
2
Your Voice 3 Summer Relaxation 3 Congrats and Best Wishes! 4/ 5 Upcoming Events6
Staff Directory 7Shepherd University Student Nurses’ Association (SUSNA) :
Moving Forward
Connections
S U M M E R , 2 0 1 2 V O L U M E I , I S S U E 4
Funding provided by HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant for the Partnership for Academic and Social Student Success
(PASSS), D19HP22226
Special Thank You to Dr. Beverly Malone
On behalf of the Shepherd University
Department of Nursing Education, the Division
of Student Affairs, Multicultural Student Affairs,
and the Diversity and Equity Committee, we
would like to thank all students, faculty, and
staff that participated in the empowering day of
workshops and keynote address by Dr. Beverly
Malone (CEO, National League for Nursing). Her
knowledge and words of inspiration offered the
campus the guidance needed to bring awareness
of how we can work on the foundation of
building a strong campus community rooted in
diversity and cultural competence.
Funding provided by HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant for the Partnership for Academic and Social Student Success
(PASSS), D19HP22226
Pictured below: Dr. Thomas Seagar, VP Student Affairs Pictured below (from L to R): Dr. Clarise Ottley, Dr. Suzanne Shipley, Dr. Beverly Malone
Then followed that beautiful season... Summer.... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Summer Relaxation…...Ahhhhh!
Your Voice
Thank you to the Pre-Nursing, Level I, and Level 4 cohorts that completed the PASSS Survey for Spring 2012. We received a lot of great feedback, and we wanted to take the opportunity to share the information that was gathered. All three cohorts were asked a question about what they would benefit from in next year’s workshops. For freshman, the main areas of interest included campus resources, time management, group study sessions, and
sessions with nursing students and faculty. From the Junior’s perspective, the primary focus was on NCLEX review, APA formatting, and stress. For those Seniors that took the survey, the question was focused on how to better serve incoming Level 4 students, and they felt that a focus on nursing application/ background check within the first week would be helpful, mentoring/support, and NCLEX review and test taking strategies were important. The
majority of students responded that the PASSS program and staff were instrumental in their academic success through the structured program, tutoring
opportunities, and workshops. Also, for 95% of students taking the survey, e-mail was the best way for the PASSS team to communicate opportunities and information to you. We look forward to continuing to grow and improve as a support team for you!
Preparing for this article, the anticipation was that it would be filled with ideas on how to soak up the sun (safely) and to encourage you to take a get-a-way vacation, destination unknown. During that search, an article was found that was A) more realistic and B) more relevant for those of you navigating the life of a nursing student.
The article discussed relaxation techniques, specifically for nursing students who tend to juggle personal and professional responsibilities. It discussed the benefit for all living creatures to incorporate relaxation into their lives, but that this tends to be the exception, not the norm due to high levels of stress. The author (Lisette Shanhai, RN, BSN, CRP) provided a relaxation technique that is available to us 24 hours a day….breathing. The following is a free, portable, and preventive measure for you to practice:
Lie on your back with a pillow under your head. Bend your knees (or put a small pillow under them) to relax your abdomen.
Put one hand on your abdomen, just below your rib cage.
Slowly breathe in through your nose. You should feel your abdomen rising.
Exhale slowly through your mouth; emptying your lungs completely and letting your abdomen fall as your stress melts away.
Repeat several times until you feel calm and relaxed. Practice daily, anywhere at any time. Enjoy and take time out for yourself to renew your mind and body for the coming semester.(Reference: http://www.rueeducation.com/Newsletters/Newsletter_Summer_2009/) yourstudies_0709.html
Funding provided by HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant for the Partnership for Academic and Social Student Success
(PASSS), D19HP22226
Congratulations, Class of Spring 2012!
Best Wishes Professor Hess!
During the SUSNA forum highlighting the NSNA Convention on April 20, 2012, Professor Hess was
recognized for her service in the Department of Nursing Education. We wish her well in her next
venture with the Veteran’s Administration!
Funding provided by HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant for the Partnership for Academic and
Social Student Success (PASSS), D19HP22226
Pictured above (from L to R): Robin Soukup, President (SUSNA) and Professor Lynne Hess
Beatrice Sarah Stockman Carter
Alexandra Decker *
Diane Margaret DePatto*
Bethany Danielle Dunkle
Rhonda Christine Elliot, RN
Nichole Marie Fusco *
Amber Michelle Galanos
Stacy George
Jorgenia Muryel Holmes
Jonathon David Humbert *
Bethany Ann Lafferre
Susan Marie Morse
Jacquelynn Lee Ortega
Cara Beth Parks
Daniella Dominica Peduzzi *
Crystal Joy Radcliff
Lisa Rae Reynolds
Jessica Renee Sheppard
Danielle Anne Shields
Hao-Hong Truong *
Mercie Noel Turner
Amanda Dawn Watson *
Bethany Leigh Winburn *
Andrew Dylan Young
Funding provided by HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant for the Partnership for Academic and Social Student Success
(PASSS), D19HP22226
Congratulations, PASSS participants that
made the Dean’s List for the Spring
Semester of 2012!
Pre-Nursing
Jasmine Allanson-Redmon
Brock Martin
Brooke Robinson
Holly Ruggles
Rebekah Shaffer
Logan Smith
Sarah Smith
Level 4 Seniors
Alexandra Decker
Stacy George
Bethany Lafferre
Crystal Radcliff
Bethany Winburn
Andrew Young
Academic Calendar, Fall 2012
8/24/12-
Add/Drop and Late Registration (Late Fee Applies) via RAIL begins at 5:00 pm (All hours
except 4:00 am-8:00 am)
8/27/12-
Classes Begin
Add/Drop and Late Registration (Late Fee Applies), via RAIL or at Ikenberry Hall,
9:00 am-4:00 pm -- Consult Advisor
8/28/12
– Mandatory Nursing Assembly– Time for Levels TBA
8/31/12-
Last Day to Add/Drop or Late Register via RAIL or at Ikenberry Hall,
9:00 a-4:00p-- Consult Advisor
9/3/12-
Labor Day -- Holiday
9/7/12-
Last Day for Instructor-Approved Late Adds via RAIL.
9/10/12-
Last Day to Change a Course from Credit to Pass/Fail Status
9/17/12-
Last Day to Change a Course from Credit to Audit Status
9/28/12-
Last Day to Withdraw from first-half-of-semester class -- See Advisor by Noon
10/8/12-10/22/12-
Mid-term Exams
10/12/12-
Last Day to Apply for May 2013 Graduation (Registrar's Office)
10/15/12-
Mid-term Grades Due -- 9:00 am; second-half-of-semester classes begin
10/18/12-10/19/12-
Fall Break
10/24/12-
First Day of Academic Advisement for Continuing Students for Spring 2013
10/26/12-
Last Day to Withdraw from a Full Semester Class -- See Advisor by Noon.
11/5/12-
First Day of Spring 2013 RAIL Registration for Continuing Students; 9:00a-4:00p
11/7/12-
Last Day of Academic Advisement for Continuing Students for Spring 2013
11/18/12-11/25/12-
Thanksgiving Recess
11/30/12-
Last Day to Withdraw from second-half-of-semester classes-See Advisor by Noon
12/7/12-
Last Day of Classes; Last Day for Complete Withdrawal from Semester
12/10/12-12/14/12-
Final Exams
12/17/12-
First Semester Grades Due 9:00 am -- End of First Semester
12/19/12-
Grades will be available via RAIL (tentative)
Please reference Shepherd University’s website for updates and revisions at:
http://www.shepherd.edu/register/Fall2012.html
Funding provided by HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant for the Partnership for Academic and Social Student
Success (PASSS), D19HP22226
Dr. Sharon Mailey
Chair, Department of Nursing Education
Senior Project Advisor smailey@shepherd.edu 304-876-5344
Wendy Baracka, MSW
Academic Improvement Specialist wbaracka@shepherd.edu 304-876-5791
Heidi Moore, LGSW
Social Support Specialist hmoore@shepherd.edu
304-876-5789
Editor: Heidi Moore
Phone: 304-876-5789
Fax: 304-876-5169
E-mail: hmoore@shepherd.edu
HRSA NWD Grant PASSS Program Staff
S H E P H E R D U N I V E R S I T Y
D E P A R T M E N T O F N U R S I N G
E D U C A T I O N
H R S A N W D G R A N T
P A S S S P R O G R A M
P.O. BOX 5000
Shepherdstown, WV 25443-5000
Dr. Clarise OttleyAssociate Professor, Department of Nursing Education Project Director
cottley@shepherd.edu 304-876-5583
Patty Cowan, BBA
Administrative Assistant pcowan@shepherd.edu 304-876-5789
