The Traditional Option had 130 qualified applicants for 72 openings in spring 2012. A holistic admission process is used to select students who are the best fit for the Undergraduate Program.

New for this option is the Nurse Scholar Program for academically able high school students. Students with exceptional ACT scores and ranking in upper levels of their graduating class may be invited to apply for direct admission to the College as freshmen. This means they will not compete for placement in the clinical program, as long as they maintain a 3.3 grade-point average through their pre-nursing courses. There are currently 11 students who will receive the invitation to be nurse scholars.

The ACCELerated bachelors to BSN option gives students with a bachelor’s degree in another field the opportunity to earn a BSN in one calendar year. The option continues to experience great outcomes and demand. The spring 2012 cohort had 110 qualified applicants for 30 openings. The program maintains partnerships for clinical experiences in a variety of states and continues to seek new clinical partnerships in additional states. Fall 2012 will mark the first international clinical placement with a student at Landstuhl Air Force Base in Germany.

College of nursing's traditional option graduating class appeared on Good Morning America's special segment of "Your Three Words" that aired on New Year's Day 2012, where they expressed themselves as "69 new nurses!"

The BSN completion option is comprised of the BSN@Home throughout the state of Wisconsin, Soar Ahead-Janesville and Sail Ahead-Lakeshore. This option is the cost-effective online program for ADN and Diploma RNs to complete their BSNs. There is no wait list for these programs, which serve students in every corner of the state.

The BSN completion option is favored by working RNs because of year-round classes and an individualized BSN class
completion schedule for each RN. Also, advisers use technology, such as Skype, to minimize travel for students and no travel is required to the Oshkosh campus. A surge in enrollment reflects the documented high student satisfaction with this option with more than 90 RNs starting their BSN completion program this academic year.

Learn more about the Undergraduate Program.

Peter Schindler, BSN '12

Knowledge of culture, international nursing practices and real-world experience are among the skills a group of University of Wisconsin Oshkosh College of Nursing students brought home with them following a study trip to Peru last spring.

“This partnership allows students to meet their community clinical course objectives while becoming immersed in a new and diverse culture,” said Patricia Vander Loop, assistant clinical professor.

The students traveled to the Alto Cayma area, which is a small, rural community near the major city of Arequipa. The group also traveled to Lima, Puno and Cusco.

“The 21 students volunteered in a kitchen that serves approximately 800 people living in poverty, they assisted in care of children in the daycare, did home visits and demographic surveys, and cared for individuals and families in the health clinic,” Vander Loop said.

Brittany Wall BSN ’12, of Mount Horeb, who was a senior nursing student at the time, said she was thankful for the opportunity to interact with the people of Peru and give them invaluable nursing advice.

“Being able to use our nursing expertise while providing nursing care and advice to people who would otherwise have none was truly a priceless experience,” Wall said.

Sarina Gitter, BSN '12

She also said the trip gave her a greater appreciation for technology’s role.

“Actively participating in the healthcare team at the clinics and hospitals taught me the importance of looking at the patient, not the machine, to determine the problem,” she said. “I really had to rely on my instincts and observational skills.”

The conditions in Peru also forced the students to learn about themselves. “They were exposed to extreme poverty and very sad stories,” Vander Loop said. “The final conclusions focused on the value of community members that work and care for each other. They commented frequently that this experience would help them to care for families in the U.S. with an eager and open-minded attitude.”

International study opportunities through the College of Nursing.

Contributed by Audralynn See ’12

Photos by Patricia Vander Loop

Clinical Nurse Leader instructor Diane Park, center, leads patient rounds to promote better communication among healthcare team members and improve outcomes.

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumna Diane Park, MSN, RN, CNL, CRRN, is making a difference in nursing care in Wisconsin and beyond. As a graduate of the MSN program with the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) emphasis in 2009, Park has been busy spreading the word about the benefits of the CNL role locally, regionally and nationally.

Park is the CNL coordinator in the  graduate emphasis at UW Oshkosh. In the last few years, enrollment in the CNL emphasis has grown exponentially, in part due to Park’s promotion of the role among nursing leaders across the state. She emphasizes how CNLs can positively impact patient and staff outcomes.

Nationally, there is heightened attention to quality and safety related to patient care. Clinical nurse leaders have advanced education to enhance patient safety measures and to continually improve care that is delivered to patients in a multitude of settings. Nurses who complete the graduate CNL emphasis are eligible for national certification, attesting to their competence.

Park also works as the Primary Stroke Center coordinator at Agnesian HealthCare in Fond du Lac. She oversees the care coordination of patients who have had strokes and transient ischemic attacks. She evaluates and improves outcomes of patients who have suffered from these neurological deficits and puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery.

Recently, Park was recognized by national leaders at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, when she was asked to be on the Planning Committee for the 2012 CNL Summit, held in Tampa Fla. At the meeting, CNLs from across the nation meet to learn and share successes.

Park has worked closely with Sharon Chappy, Graduate Program director and assistant dean, to develop the CNL specialty curriculum and promote the CNL emphasis offered at UW Oshkosh. The program is 100 percent online, making it attractive to working nurses across the state and beyond.

If any nurse leaders or potential students are interested in hearing more, contact Chappy at chappy@uwosh.edu or call the Graduate Program Office at (920) 424-2106.

Seven of the 23 also were honored with the prestigious Nightingale Award for Excellence in Practice.

This 2012 award ceremony—the 20th anniversary of the Nightingale awards—is a special one, said Rebecca Cleveland, a UW Oshkosh nurse educator since 1979.

Cleveland said the Nightingale Awards are a very important part of recognizing how significant nurses can be in helping people.

“Dedicated nurses impact their patients’ and families’ lives each day with accomplishments that are all too often unrecognized,” Cleveland said. “They are the unsung heroes of healthcare; this award program gives these selfless, altruistic professionals a moment of recognition.”

In the past 20 years, more than 100 nurses have been recognized with a Nightingale award. Colleagues, patients and co-workers nominate the nurses for their many accomplishments in nursing excellence in clinical practice.

“At some time in our lives we have had intelligent, skilled nurses give compassionate care to our mothers, brothers, children or neighbors,” Cleveland said. “Patients, families and healthcare agencies appreciate the opportunity to show their gratitude to these dedicated professionals.”

Colleen Huseboe, CON advancement officer, said, historically, the winners of the Nightingale Awards excel in multiple areas of the nursing field, demonstrate a number of achievements and are committed to nursing education through attendance at conferences, pursuit of advanced degrees, certifications and journals and in the expression of compassion toward patients.

Winners of the Nightingale award received a piece of commemorative artwork engraved with their name and credentials and a $1,000 award. The annual event is hosted by the UW Oshkosh College of Nursing and the Board of Visitors, with support from regional healthcare organizations.

2012 Nightingale Award winners from the left: Audrey James, BSN ’04; Lynette Joy Bosin, BSN, RN; Dee (Delores) Fietzer, BSN, RN; Teresa Paulus, BSN, RN; Adeline I. Schroeder (Abby), ADN, RN; Mary Ann Berrens BSN ’02; and Jeanean Bauer, BSN, RN.

CON alumni nominated for the Nightingale Award included Claudette Amundson BSN ’88, Mary Ann Berrens BSN ’02, Dena Entringer BSN ’05, Audrey James BSN ’04, Mari A. Krueger BSN ’91, MSE‘02, Lisa LeBlanc BSN ’08, and Paula Shimulunas, BSN ’94.

Seven nurses were selected as recipients of the prestigious Nightingale Award:
Jeanean Bauer, BSN, RN, works as a wound care/ostomy nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital;
Mary Ann Berrens, BSN, RN, is a staff nurse in the day surgical unit at the Appleton Medical Center and New London Family Medical Center;
Lynette Joy Bosin, BSN, RN, is a registered nurse at St. Agnes Hospital Home Care;
Dee (Delores) Fietzer, BSN, RN, works at the ambulatory care department at ThedaCare’s Riverside Medical Center;
Audrey James, BSN, RN, works as a staff nurse in the intensive care unit and the emergency department at Aurora Medical Center;
Teresa Paulus, BSN, RN, is a public health nurse for the Winnebago County Health Department; and
Adeline I. Schroeder (Abby), ADN, RN, is a clinical support nurse at Bridge Community Health Clinic.

2011 honorees

2011 Nightingale Award winners from the left: Susan Tischaefer, RN; Rhonda Handel, RN; Scott Rogalsky BSN ’07; Jan Andrews, RN; and Karen Balke, BSN, RN.

Nineteen nurses from across Wisconsin were recognized last year by patients, colleagues and supervisors for their nursing excellence. CON alumni nominated for Nightingale Awards included Brad Berger BSN ’09, Rosalyn Evans BSN ’87, Nancy Gimenez BSN ’96, Nancy Horn BSN ’09, Correen Marvin BSN ’95, Jamie Ray BSN ’07, Scott Rogalsky BSN ’07, Linda Schwister BSN ’01, and Mindy Wilderman BSN ’06.

Five nurses were selected as recipients of the Nightingale Award:
Jan Andrews, RN, is a surgical first assistant at St. Agnes Hospital;
Karen Balke, BSN, RN, is a disease management nurse at the Appleton Veterans Association Clinic;
Rhonda Handel, RN, is a pediatric nurse at Memorial Heath Center Clinics;
Susan Tischaefer, RN, is an operating room circulator staff nurse at the Fond du Lac Surgery Center; and
Scott Rogalsky, BSN, RN, is an emergency department staff nurse at Ripon Medical Center.

Read more about the Nightingale award.

Contributed by Brittany Farrell, IMC STEP student

From the left, Amanda Kane, Lynn Rinzel, Lisa Ebert BSN ’89, Rosemary Wittchow, Barbara Gruenwald and Matthew Mangan BSN ’06, each received the prestigious Nightingale Award in May 2010.

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s College of Nursing and its Board of Visitors celebrated the 18th-annual Nightingale Awards Dinner at Reeve Memorial Union in May 2010.

The Nightingale Award Program, established in 1993, recognizes registered nurses and licensed practical nurses involved in direct patient care who exemplify the highest standards of nursing practice. In 2010, 25 outstanding nurses from across Wisconsin were honored with Nightingale Nominations.

College of Nursing alumni nominated for Nightingale Awards included Kathryn Beier, BSN ’89, Melissa Borth MSN ’91, Lisa Ebert BSN ’89, Matthew Mangan BSN ’06, Kathryn Otte BSN ’80, Kathy Williams BSN ’88, and Heather Wright Evenson BSN ’08.

Six nurses were selected as recipients of the prestigious Nightingale Award:

Lisa Ebert, BSN, RN, is a trauma case coordinator at Aspirus Wausau Hospital;

Barbara Gruenwald, RN, is a staff nurse and night charge nurse at St. Joseph Residence;

Amanda Kane, BSN, RN, is an Emergency Department RN and charge nurse at St. Agnes Hospital;

Matthew Mangan, BSN, RN, is a nurse clinician II at Winnebago Mental Health Institute;

Lynn Rinzel, RN, works in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit at St. Agnes Hospital; and

Rosemary Wittchow, LPN, works in the Surgery Department at Ripon Medical Center.

College of Nursing staff member Jane Roloff helps Marie Umutsei ’10 BSN, register for the Graduate Program Open House.

The term “evolution” brings about images of change. However, evolution is change with purpose. Nursing has historically responded to the needs of society by evolving to meet those needs to impact the health and well-being of the population.

From the time of Florence Nightingale and the first hospital-based nursing schools, nursing education has increased in complexity to baccalaureate degree programs, nondegree certificate nurse practitioner programs and master’s prepared advanced nursing practice.

Societal trends are now driving forward a new level of nursing practice in response to the healthcare needs of the nation. Today’s healthcare systems are more complex than ever.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recognized this need and proposed changes in the preparation of healthcare professionals. The IOM identified core competencies that all healthcare providers should possess in order to improve quality and reduce medical errors, focusing on patient-centered care, interdisciplinary teams, evidence-based practice, continuous quality improvement, and informatics.

First UWO doctorate

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s College of Nursing (CON) has a long history of evolution and innovation. Building on its successful master’s primary care nurse practitioner program, the CON launched the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in summer 2010, the first doctoral program on the UW Oshkosh campus.

The DNP program educates advanced practice nurses and advanced nurse administrators for the highest level of professional nursing practice and clinical scholarship to meet the educational requirements put forth by the IOM and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The AACN has called for transition of all advanced practice nurse education to the practice doctorate by 2015.

Anna Christian, a DNP student from Appleton, returned to graduate school at UW Oshkosh to pursue an advanced degree in nursing practice. She has been a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) for 12 years.

“I could feel my practice start to stagnate. When I found out that Oshkosh was offering the DNP program, I jumped at the chance,” Christian said. “I want to be a role model by showing other advanced practice nurses that this is achievable and complimentary to their current roles.”

Christian hopes to expand her nursing role toward career development, corporate decision-making regarding nursing roles and practice, and to change policy relevant to nurse practice acts.

“I feel nursing as a discipline has not been well-represented at most corporate levels of healthcare, and this practice needs to be greatly improved,” she said.

“Role reversals are changing the landscape of healthcare. Nurses no longer merely nurture or educate but are becoming primary caregivers in an ever-changing and more complicated healthcare system. They are not only treating but guiding patients through
a variety of services.”

Graduate education provides the necessary tools for nurses to focus on measures to improve quality outcomes for individuals and society as a whole.

While the current DNP program is for students like Christian who already hold a master’s degree, the BSN to DNP program is slated to begin in fall 2012  for those who have a bachelor’s degree
in nursing.

Clinical nurse leaders

Shannon Hulett, a student in the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s emphasis, has a vision. She believes that CNLs see the big picture from very close range.

In becoming a CNL, Hulett will meet her professional goals: continue working in the hospital setting and improve patient outcomes and patient safety while increasing staff satisfaction by decreasing the chaos that exists in the complex healthcare environment.

As a CNL, Hulett will become a leader in the nursing profession to transform care given on the frontline.

“Nurses need to be able to work differently than in the past,” she said. “Graduate school will enhance my ability to help nurses and other healthcare professionals think outside the box, do more with less, and partner with patients and families to make evidence-based practice realistic at the bedside.”

The CNL works with others to fix inconsistencies in healthcare that will, in turn, improve patient and staff outcomes.

After solidifying her decision to go to graduate school, Hulett searched the AACN website and found that UW Oshkosh offered the CNL emphasis.

“I knew that UW Oshkosh had a great nursing program, but I was apprehensive because I lived and worked across the state in La Crosse. From the beginning, the staff at the College of Nursing has been creative and flexible with me and my healthcare organization to make my education a reality.”

Innovations in educational delivery have allowed Hulett to “attend class,” using a variety of distance learning strategies. She also completed all of her clinical hours where she works.

Heather Englund, of Oshkosh, knows that there is a critical shortage of nurse educators nationwide, which in turn, con-tributes to the ongoing nursing shortage.

Students like Englund who enroll in the Nurse Educator (NE) emphasis, are pursuing advanced education so that they can teach the next generation of nurses.

“I chose to attend graduate school to pursue my master’s degree as a nurse educator, because I truly cannot think of anything more rewarding than assisting students to realize their dreams of becoming nurses,” she said.

Currently, while still in school, Englund teaches some medical-surgical clinical courses in the College of Nursing. Her graduate course schedule is flexible, with most of her courses offered online.

“The College of Nursing has consistently shown its commitment to creating a learning environment that fosters both personal and professional growth. We are evolving to meet the educational needs for nurses moving into the increasingly complex healthcare system,” she said.

The CNL and NE programs are offered online, the DNP program and FNP master’s emphasis are hybrid (some online, some face-to-face). Distance learning has greatly opened the availability of educational programs to large numbers of nurses who could not necessarily attend conventional university classes.

Through the use of technology, innovation in the online environment and classroom and a cutting-edge curriculum consistent with the most recent Master’s and DNP Essentials and NP competencies, the CON continues its tradition of evolution in nursing education to produce the highest caliber nursing professionals ready to impact the health of a nation.

Related Links:

College of Nursing Graduate Program

Morgan Bailey, academic staff member; Col. Carolyn Jolitz; Rebecca Cleveland, assistant director, Student Academic Affairs Undergraduate Program; and Dean Rosemary Smith attend a luncheon for active and inactive military nursing students.

Alumni, faculty, staff and students in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s College of Nursing (CON) had plenty of reason to celebrate in October.

40 years of excellence

CON’s 40 years of success and its recent reaccreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) were recognized with a special presentation and reception.

Col. Carolyn Jolitz BSN ’84 and MSN ’94, was presented with the 2010 UW Oshkosh Distinguished Alumni awards from the University and CON. Jolitz serves as deputy commander for nursing services at the Army Medical Activity in Fort Knox, Ky.

“Col. Jolitz exemplifies everything our mission and vision stands for,” said CON Dean Rosemary Smith. “She’s a devoted, caring and scholarly leader who impacts the lives of others daily.”

Jolitz met with military nursing students for one-on-one discussions prior to her presentation, ”Nursing Leadership: Facing a Decade of Challenge.”

“Our students who currently serve or have served in the military were especially touched to meet Col. Jolitz and listen to her experiences,” Smith said.

After the one-on-one discussions and presentation, alumni from CON’s graduating class of 1970, faculty and students attended a dinner reception.

Reaccreditation for the future

Guests at the event celebrated not only 40 years of excellence, but also the news that both the CON’s undergraduate and graduate programs received the maximum 10-year reaccreditation.

“After the announcement, you could feel a sense of pride among the alumni and students,“ Smith said. “Attending an accredited college means so much for students.“

Accredited college nursing programs give students the opportunity to enroll in graduate programs and the ability to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses.

Four representatives from the CCNE, a division of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, visited UW Oshkosh in April for the reaccreditation review.

One of the key areas CCNE reviews is the satisfaction of students, faculty, employers and community members.

As a student and president of the Oshkosh Student Nurses Association, Amanda Bodjanac, a BSN junior from Green Bay, believes a degree from a high-quality, accredited college will give her an edge in the job market.

“UW Oshkosh’s College of Nursing has a fabulous reputation as being a college that prepares and produces skilled nurses for our healthcare community,” she said.

Receiving a 10-year accreditation, in each program, is the highest honor given by the CCNE.

Growing successful, innovative programs

Since the establishment of CON in 1970, the undergraduate and graduate programs have continued to grow and provide more options for students.

“In the first 40 years, we graduated 5,000 BSN students, and it will take less than 20 years to graduate the next 5,000,” said Colleen Huseboe, CON advancement officer.

New and revised graduate program emphases also contributed to CON’s growth over its 40-year history. Emphases include a fast track RN to a BSN (BSN at Home) to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN); a bachelor’s degree to a MSN; and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Another factor in CON’s success is its 100-percent pass rate on the family nurse practitioner exam since 1999.

“UW Oshkosh is recognized for academic excellence and has been since its founding,” Smith said. “We plan to continue this success by providing students with new, innovative programs.”

College of Nursing students Mina Young BSN ’11, of Mazomanie; and Lindsey Walker BSN ’11, of Appleton, weigh a child during the June 2010 trip to Uganda. Photo by Patti VanderLoop

An expanded international clinical program means more University of Wisconsin Oshkosh College of Nursing students will have the opportunity to gain cultural understanding and even develop a better awareness of their own culture.

In spring 2010, Patti VanderLoop, clinical assistant professor; and Jill Collier, assistant professor, took a group of 13 students to Busoga University in Iganga, Uganda, for a three-credit course entailing 126 clinical hours.

“Clinicals are a time when students get actual, hands-on experience in different patient settings,” VanderLoop said. “The clinical for Uganda focused on community health — promoting health and wellness in different populations.”

While this was the College of Nursing’s first international clinical experience in Africa, nursing students have had the opportunity to gain clinical experience in India for the past three years.

“They learn the importance of communication and recognize the differences in values. Every single student walks away with a new perspective,” VanderLoop said.

Collier said that the African instructors shared knowledge about their role and their abilities to work within their funding sources. The students saw nurses working in expanded roles out of necessity, much like nurse practitioners do in the U.S.

“Our students learned much about the Ugandan culture through interactions with the Busugo students and tutors, including the limitations of providing healthcare in a developing nation,” Collier said. “We are grateful they were willing to share their knowledge with us, as well.”

Lindsey Walker, a senior nursing student, of Mazomanie, was inspired by professor VanderLoop’s recounts of visiting Uganda. “I’ve always wanted to go to Africa, so it was the perfect opportunity,” Walker said. “The biggest culture shock was the healthcare system. It’s not very advanced, so it was very hard to adapt to what they have and what they believe.”

Walker and her fellow nursing students worked in hospitals with Busoga University nursing students. They also participated in clinical outreach programs, focusing on prenatal care and went to urban and rural schools to teach hygiene and how to prevent and recognize the signs of river blindness.

Walker said she gained confidence in approaching people from other cultures. The most rewarding aspect for Walker was seeing how their work was making a difference in both the short-term and long-term.

“When we first got there, the nurses didn’t use any kind of comfort measures for women in labor, so we showed them how to rub patient’s backs and taught them breathing exercises and new positions to relieve the pressure in the back, Walker said.

“Before we left, we saw some of the nurses applying those techniques. We actually made an impact.”

The program offers many opportunities for associate degree (ADN)-prepared RNs to pursue their BSN via an easy-to-use and low-cost online option called BSN@Home.

Expanded outreach options include the Janesville Soar Ahead Option (Patricia Padjen, adviser) and the UW-Stevens Point and Wausau options (Debra Allar, adviser).

Programs for ADN nurses on the lakeshore include the Sail Ahead option (Nancy Ahrens, adviser) and the Fox Valley area option (Terri Blakeslee, adviser).

In addition, the College’s ACCELerated BSN and traditional BSN graduates have had great success on the National Council Licensure Examination Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). NCLEX-RN scores continue to remain higher than the national mean.

Related Links:

College of Nursing Undergraduate Program