Director's Welcome
There is immense power in reflecting on the past and using it as a springboard to build a remarkable future. As we pause and cast our minds back, we gather the wisdom that time has bestowed upon us. We recognize the trials and triumphs, the lessons learned, and the growth achieved. As I begin my third year as the Director of the Nursing Department at Carroll College, this sentiment resonates with me for it is in these moments of introspection that we find the fuel to tackle the challenges before us in higher education, and in healthcare, to build an aspirational future that honors the strength of the past and envisions the possibilities of a promising future.
This year marks a substantial milestone for the Carroll College Nursing program. After many years of preparing successful associate degree nurses, Carroll began preparing students for a career in nursing with a Baccalaureate nursing degree in 1973. Carroll’s first baccalaureate nurses began their studies 50 years ago, graduating in the spring of 1977, establishing what is now a long line of graduates well known for their outstanding holistic patient care, collaborative and interdisciplinary leadership, and dedication to proactive health promotion and disease prevention initiatives.
Despite declining national NCLEX first-time pass rates through the COVID-19 pandemic, Carroll nursing graduates have maintained performance well above the national average at 95-100% on the first attempt! By no means an easy feat, this accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of both faculty and students. With a heart brimming with gratitude, we acknowledge the struggles we have overcome, the obstacles we have conquered, and the moments of pure joy that have adorned our journey thus far. This foundational issue of the Carroll College Nursing Newsletter shares examples of the many ways our students, staff, faculty, and alumni demonstrate that there is something special and unique that comes with being a “Carroll nurse.”
Each chapter, whether filled with tears or laughter, has contributed to our strength and resilience. But it is not enough to solely reflect on the past, for our greatest potential lies in the untrodden paths of the future. Armed with the knowledge and insights gained from the past, we possess the tools to shape our destiny. Let us dare to envision a future that surpasses our wildest imaginations—a future that brims with endless possibilities and limitless potential.
As we embark on this journey, we are focused on several key initiatives within the Nursing Department. Given the challenges our healthcare system is facing, the Nursing Department is dedicated to supporting student readiness and transition to practice as new graduate nurses.
The fourth floor of Simperman Hall was recently renovated, through the support of gracious donations from the E.L. Wiegand Foundation and others (see below). The E.L. Wiegand Nursing Simulation Center at Carroll was developed based on best practices in healthcare simulation and is state-of-the-art. Starting in 200-level courses, Carroll’s laboratory equipment and high-fidelity patient simulators allow students to experience the challenges nurses face in many treatment scenarios, from patient assessment to labor and delivery to emergency situations. Additionally, in collaboration with the Theater Department, Staged Health simulations offer students the opportunity to engage with standardized patients in a variety of settings, including home health and mass casualty disasters. These experiences help us to enhance students’ understanding and application of nursing theory, amplifying and complementing the care they experience as part of their clinical rotations.
We are also aligning our current curriculum to the AACN Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, working to increase the certifications students graduate with as part of their clinical experiences (i.e. STABLE, NRP, MOAB, PALS, ACLS, etc.), and development of a course specifically focused on the development of personal and professional resiliency.
Let us remember that building for the future requires courage, perseverance, and unwavering belief in ourselves. It calls for audacity to step outside our comfort zones, to embrace change, and to take risks. The road ahead may be daunting, riddled with uncertainty, but it is in those moments of uncertainty that we discover our true mettle. In this beautiful interplay between past and future, we find the key to unlock our full potential. At Carroll College, we will continue to reflect and build! In this effort, we appreciate your support and welcome reflections, suggestions, and shared wisdom in your experiences as a Carroll nurse.
With gratitude,
Lauren Swant, MSN, RNC-NIC, CNE
Associate Professor
Director of Nursing, Department Chair
In addition to E.L. Wiegand Foundation the following people are major donors who gave $1,000 or more to the recent nursing floor remodeling initiative:
- Margaret Perryman
- Ed Kingzett
- Ron & Tar Rickman
- Dr. Richard & Sue Buswell
- Garry & Kathy Brayko
- Lou & Renee Dumas
- Tom Kimmell
- Sarah Walsh
- Mary McHugh
- Marion Egeland Miller
- Bob Whaley
- Russ Bell
- Susan Yates
- David Bruck
- Jeri Piechoski