Tag: Phelps Health


ECC LPN to RN Bridge Students Recognized With Awards


December 15, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Three East Central College Rolla nursing graduates were recognized for outstanding work in clinicals and in the classroom.

Kathrine Crider, Jessica Veloz and Brianna Courtney each were recognized Dec. 12 during a pinning ceremony for LPN to RN Bridge graduates.

There were 11 nursing graduates taking part in the pinning ceremony, which is held to recognize licensed practical nurses who continued their education to become registered nurses:

Stevie German, Shelly Gibson, Tina Feth, Jessica Veloz, Amy Hiatt, Kathrine Crider, Shelby Marler, Brianna Courtney, Emily Chastain, Tara Smith and Tanya Bausch.

Outstanding Student Nurse

Kathrine Crider received the ECC Outstanding Student Nurse award.

“She is an extraordinary person who is organized, determined, efficient, and well rounded. She is willing to adapt and jump into new learning experiences and push herself to have clinical experiences that are different than was she is used to,” Crider’s nomination read.

“She seeks out learning experiences that will help her grow and succeed in the field of nursing. She is highly successful in the clinical setting. She is a phenomenal addition to this clinical rotation and is always willing to ask questions to improve her learning.

“She is kind and willing to help a fellow student when needed. For these reasons and many more, this student will succeed and be a wonderful asset to the profession of nursing.”

To be considered for the Outstanding Nursing Student award, ECC has had to make a significant difference in the life of the student.

Spirit of Clinical Excellence

The awards for Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing are presented to graduating nurses who demonstrate characteristics of caring and compassion, the spirit of inquiry, exceptional critical thinking and decision making and have superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.

MoBap Spirit of Excellence 

Brianna Courtney received the Missouri Baptist Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award because she is a great example of a compassionate nurse both in the classroom and clinical setting.

“She has excelled with showing care and compassion from day one. She has incredible critical thinking and is able to successfully prioritize all the many demands of life and nursing school,” her nomination read.

“This student was great to work with and is very eager to learn and doesn’t shy away from the new or intimidating stuff. This student was very comfortable at the bedside and took great care when communicating with patients.  For these reasons and for many more there is no question that this student will make an excellent RN and be a lovely addition to any nursing unit.”

Phelps Spirit of Excellence

Jessica Veloz is the recipient of the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award due to her compassion, commitment, eagerness, and integrity to the profession of nursing.

“She is quietly assertive and develops a rapport with her patients, their families, and the staff making sure that their needs were met. She did not shy away from challenges, but rather exceled when the opportunities arose,” states her nomination form.

“She has displayed an abundance of compassion and patient- centered care in all areas of clinical rotations. She is dedicated to quality, and safe patient care, and insists on the patients receiving this.  She does a great job with putting knowledge into clinical practice and she is a good team player. Her kind, positive attitude, desire to seek out learning experiences, and following protocol are great attributes that she possesses.”

To learn more about the ECC Nursing and Allied Health program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/nursing/, or contact Nancy Mitchell at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu.

Back row, from left, are Nancy Mitchell, Dean of Health Sciences & Director of Nursing, Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing coordinator, Stevie German, Shelly Gibson, Tina Feth, Jessica Veloz, Amy Hiatt, and Julie Chirban, LPN to RN Bridge instructor. Front row., from left, are Lavonda Lawson, Rolla administrative assistant, Kathrine Crider, Shelby Marler, Brianna Courtney, Emily Chastain, Tara Smith, Tanya Bausch, Trista Elias, nursing faculty.

Nursing Grads Presented with Awards at Pinning Ceremony


May 23, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla Images

Six East Central College Nursing Program graduates were recognized during a pinning ceremony May 13 for their hard work in the classroom and during clinicals.

Two students, Jozlyn Bolte, ECC-Rolla; and Kelsey Blackwell, ECC in Union, were presented the Outstanding Nursing Student awards.

To be considered for the ECC Outstanding Nursing Student award, the college has had to make a difference in the life of the student.

For some cases, had ECC not been in their community, they most likely would not have realized the dream of becoming a nurse. The award winners also display success in the classroom and the clinical setting.

Jozlyn Bolte

Jozlyn Bolte is this year’s East Central College Rolla Outstanding Nursing Student. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Bolte, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.

Kelsey Blackwell

Nursing student Kelsey Blackwell is the recipient of the Union East Central College Outstanding Nursing Student Award. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Blackwell, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; and Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant.

Spirit of Excellence Awards

Four nursing students — Avery Akers, Nathaniel Wissman, Kelsea Smith and Kyleigh Payne — were presented with Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards from the college’s community health care partners.

Each year, Mercy Hospital Washington, Phelps Health in Rolla and Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan present nursing graduates with Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards during the pinning ceremony marking the completion of the program.

Akers received the Phelps Health award, Wissman received the Mercy award, and Smith and Payne each received a Spirit of Clinical Excellence Award from Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan.

The awards were presented to the graduates by ECC Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla.

To be consider for the Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards, the graduate nurse must demonstrate: characteristics of caring and compassion; the spirit of inquiry; exceptional critical thinking and decision making; and superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.

Avery Akers

East Central College nursing Avery Akers received the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing award this year. She is pictured with, from left, Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Kait Roy, Phelps Health nurse recruiter; Akers, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.

Kelsea Smith

The Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to East Central College Rolla nursing student Kelsea Smith. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Cassie Friday, Missouri Baptist nurse manager; Heather Sluis, Missouri Baptist clinical educator; Smith, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Tiffanie Alfermann, Missouri Baptist assistant nurse manager; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.

Nathaniel Wissman

Nathaniel Wissman received the Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Wissman, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; and Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant.

Kyleigh Payne

East Central College Union nursing student Kyleigh Payne is the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Tiffanie Alfermann, Missouri Baptist assistant nurse manager; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Cassie Friday, Missouri Baptist nurse manager; Payne, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant; and Heather Sluis, Missouri Baptist clinical educator.


College’s LPN Program in Rolla Helping Answer the Call


December 20, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

When East Central College officially took the reins of its Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program in Rolla this fall, the LPN program already had been serving the community and healthcare system for 55 years, while graduating over 1,250 new nurses.

Today, the need for trained healthcare professionals is as great as it has ever been.

That’s according to Michelle Chick, ECC Rolla’s LPN program director, who said that turnover and vacancy rates are at an all-time high among healthcare professions across the state.

“The majority of our graduates seek employment in this area; therefore, program sustainment is imperative to help with this nursing shortage,” she said. “We need a pipeline of LPN graduates to help meet the growing demands in our area.”

ECC took sponsorship of the LPN program for the Rolla School District in October 2021 so the school district could focus its resources on K-12 education. The Fall 2022 semester was the first under ECC.

Students Benefit

The program is three semesters over 11 months, and it includes a clinical experience. Once students complete the program, they earn a certificate of graduation and are qualified to take the national licensure examination (NCLEX-PN).

After passing the exam, graduates can begin earning higher wages and taking on new challenges and responsibilities.

LPN program student Claude Wyatt, 51, had been a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for several years.

“I absolutely love health care. I worked 16 years as a CNA performing caregiving duties,” he said. “Working under wonderful nurses made me want to step up my care to the next level.”

Today, Wyatt does custodial work, but he never lost his love for the medical field.

“This program finally allowed me to pursue my dream of being a nurse and returning to health care,” he said, encouraging other adult learners to pursue LPN certification.

“I am living proof of how life can get in the way, but don’t give up,” Wyatt added. “Your brain is never too old to learn.”

For Monique Matos, becoming an LPN is a way to better her life and that of her children.

“As a single parent, my kids are my biggest motivation and I want to prove that no matter where life takes you, your goals are always possible with hard work and dedication,” Matos said. “I have always worked in health care and have had a passion for helping others. Ultimately, I want to make a difference in the way someone receives care, and I know I can as an LPN.”

In fact, she already is aware of how the program helped her in her current position as a Medication Aide at The Gingerbread House, in Rolla.

“I am becoming more organized, professional, and confident as a student nurse,” she noted. “Also, I can already see a change in my resident care at work.”

Matos is a first-generation college student and the second in her family to graduate high school.

“I am so grateful for this experience,” she commented. “Before I was living day-to-day but now, I can honestly say that I am excited to see what the future has in store for me.”

Heath Care Partners

Jessica Fischer, LPN instructor and clinical coordinator, and Chick both value their clinical partnerships at area hospitals, long-term care facilities and outpatient clinics. They are aware that these facilities need resilient nurses who are ready to accept the challenging environment of health care.

“The unprecedented stressors placed on all health care professionals, not just nurses, during the pandemic has caused an impact on morale and has caused a major toll on nurses,” Fischer said.

That’s why the LPN program also focuses on stress management, she added.

“As nursing educators, we are working on teaching students how to manage and deal with the stressors of the health care environment they will face, Fischer commented. “Teaching students how to mitigate stress, adapt positively, and develop the ability to recover and overcome difficult situations.”

For more information on the LPN program, visit https://www.eastcentral.edu/allied-health/licensed-practical-nursing/ or contact Nancy Mitchell, dean of health science, at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6619.


ECC Nursing Grads Recognized for Classroom Work and Clinicals


December 16, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Four East Central College Rolla nursing graduates were recognized for outstanding work in clinicals and in the classroom.

Lauren Pilkington, Tiffany Rademacher, Leslie Crabtree and Carli Nesheim each were recognized Dec. 13 during a pinning ceremony for LPN to RN Bridge graduates.

There were 16 nursing graduates taking part in the pinning ceremony, which is held to recognize Licensed Practical Nurses who continue their education to become Registered Nurses.

ECC Outstanding Student Nurse

Lauren Pilkington received the ECC Outstanding Student Nurse award. Pilkington is an excellent student in the classroom and clinical arena.

To be considered for the Outstanding Nursing Student award, ECC has had to make a difference in the life of the student.

For the Outstanding Student Nurse award recipients, had ECC not been in their community, they most likely would not have realized the dream of becoming a registered nurse.

Joannie Blakely, Julie Chirban, and Lauren Pilkington posing with plaque.
Pictured, from left, are Joannie Blakely, Nursing Coordinator–ECC Rolla; Julie Chirban, Nursing Instructor–Rolla; Lauren Pilkington and Elisha Chaney, guest speaker and Nursing Adjunct at ECC.

Spirit of Clinical Excellence

The awards for Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing are presented to graduating nurses who demonstrate characteristics of caring and compassion, the spirit of inquiry, exceptional critical thinking and decision making and have superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.

There were three awards presented to students who work with ECC’s clinical partners.

Tiffany Rademacher — Missouri Baptist Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing

Joannie Blakely, Julie Chirban, Rademacher and Elisha Chaney posing with plaque.
Pictured, from left, are Joannie Blakely, Nursing Coordinator-ECC Rolla; Julie Chirban, Nursing Instructor–Rolla; Rademacher and Elisha Chaney, guest speaker and Nursing Adjunct at ECC.

Leslie Crabtree — Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing

Joannie Blakely, Julie Chirban, 
 Crabtree and April Lueckenhoff posing with plaque.
Pictured, from left, are Joannie Blakely, Nursing Coordinator–ECC Rolla; Julie Chirban, Nursing Instructor–Rolla; Crabtree and April Lueckenhoff, Mercy Hospital Washington.

Carli Nesheim — Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing  

Joannie Blakely, Julie Chirban, Nesheim, and Kate Roy, posing with plaque.
Pictured, from left, are Joannie Blakely, Nursing Coordinator-ECC Rolla; Julie Chirban, Nursing Instructor–Rolla; Nesheim, Kate Roy, Phelps Health.

All Four Award Recipients

Nursing instructors posing with plaques.
Front row, from left, are Tiffany Rademacher, Missouri Baptist Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing;  Leslie Crabtree, Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing; Lauren Pilkington, Outstanding Nursing Student; and Carli Nesheim, Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing.  
Back row, from left, are Joannie Blakely, Nursing Coordinator-ECC Rolla; Julie Chirban, Nursing Instructor–Rolla; and Elisha Chaney, guest speaker and Nursing Adjunct at ECC.

Learn more about the ECC Nursing and Allied Health program, or contact Nancy Mitchell at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu.


ECC Nursing Graduates Presented with Awards


May 19, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Five East Central College Nursing Program graduates were recognized during a pinning ceremony May 14 prior to the college’s commencement ceremony.

Two students, Tela Connors, ECC-Rolla; and Charlena Borges, ECC in Union, were presented the Outstanding Nursing Student awards.

To be considered for the ECC Outstanding Nursing Student award, the college has had to make a difference in the life of the student.

For some cases, had ECC not been in their community, they most likely would not have realized the dream of becoming a nurse. The award winners also display success in the classroom and the clinical setting.

Tela Connors

Tela Connors

East Central College-Rolla Nursing program graduate Tela Connors was named an Outstanding Nursing Student for 2022. Pictured, from left, are nursing instructors Julie Chirban and Jonathan Elias; Connors and nursing instructor and Rolla program coordinator Joannie Blakely. The award was presented at the Nursing program’s pinning ceremony.

 

Charlena Borges

 

Charlena Borges

East Central College Union Nursing program graduate Charlena Borges is the recipient of an Outstanding Nursing Student award for 2022. Pictured, from left, are nursing instructors Dr. Connie Wissbaum and Brittany Yoakum; Borges, and nursing instructor and Union program coordinator Judy Bieker and nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer. Borges’ award was presented at the Nursing program’s pinning ceremony.

Spirit of Excellence Awards

Three nursing students — Kayce Boeding, Lyndsey Graczyk and James Johnson — were presented with Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards from the college’s community health care partners.

Each year, Mercy Hospital Washington, Phelps Health in Rolla and Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan present nursing graduates with Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards during the pinning ceremony marking the completion of the program.

Boeding received the Phelps Health award, Graczyk received the Mercy award and Johnson received the Missouri Baptist Sullivan award.

The awards were presented to the graduates by ECC Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla.

To be consider for the Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards, the graduate nurse must demonstrate: characteristics of caring and compassion; the spirit of inquiry; exceptional critical thinking and decision making; and superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.

Lyndsey Graczyk

Lyndsey Graczyk

The Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to East Central College Union nursing graduate Lyndsey Graczyk. From left, are ECC Union nursing instructors Dr. Connie Wissbaum and Brittany Yoakum; Graczyk, nursing instructor and Union Nursing program coordinator Judy Bieker; nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer; and Bethany Westlake, chief nurse officer at Mercy Washington.

Kayce Boeding

Kayce Boeding

East Central College Rolla Nursing program graduate Kayce Boeding was presented the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. From left, are ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Julie Chirban; Boeding; ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Jonathan Elias and nursing instructor and Rolla program coordinator Joannie Blakely.

James Johnson

James Johnson

A Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing was given to East Central College Union Nursing program graduate James Johnson. From left are ECC Union nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer and nursing adjunct Heather Sluis, Johnson, Union nursing instructors Brittany Yoakum and Dr. Connie Wissbaum; and nursing instructor and Union nursing program coordinator Judy Bieker.


‘Earn While You Learn’ Nursing Program Expanding


August 9, 2021 | Campus News

The East Central College Nursing Program’s “Earn While You Learn” (EWYL) initiative has been leading the way in Missouri as a successful partnership among the college and its health care partners.

EWYL allows for ECC nursing students to earn a paycheck from local hospitals while they are conducting clinicals as part of the nursing program. In return, the students sign on to work at the hospitals after they graduate.

What began as a pilot program, Earn While You Learn just recently was fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, which will allow for ECC’s program to expand and other colleges to follow suit.

The nursing board’s decision came after Nancy Mitchell, director of nursing and dean of health science at ECC, and Heather Sluis, clinical educator at Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital (MBSH), presented at the Missouri Hospital Association “Innovations in Student Nurse Clinical Education Partnerships” event held in June.

The pair presented details to attendees about ECC’s successful partnership program, which benefits nursing students and two of ECC’s health care partners — MBSH and Mercy Hospital Washington.

EWYL Details

The students must be in their fourth, and final, semester of the associate degree in nursing (ADN) to participate in the program.

During their last semester, student nurses will earn a wage while learning hands-on, real-world practices, all while being immersed in the culture of nursing and the health care institution, Mitchell said.

In return, the students sign a contract to work after they graduate with the hospital where they are conducting clinical training.

Growing Program

In 2020, ECC first placed students in MBSH and Mercy Hospital Washington as part of the Earn While You Learn program.

While approving the curricular change, the state nursing board gave the ECC Nursing program approval to partner with Phelps Health in Rolla to offer the same clinical partnership.

The partnership is much more than providing nursing students an income and getting them accustomed to a hospital culture, it also greatly benefits the health care partners.

“This allows the students to become embedded in the culture early on, and it will decrease the cost to orientate them later,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell noted that MBHS saved about $50,000 in training and orientation costs with three student apprentices.

There has been an increased interest statewide, and beyond, in the EWYL initiative to combat nursing shortages and reduce new nurse turnover rates. Most recently, Washington School of Practical Nursing and Mercy Washington have developed a partnership mirroring ECC’s to offer the EWYL to practical nursing students.

“Our goal is to provide our students the best educational experience possible as well as keep these great nurses in our community caring for our community members,” Mitchell said.

“One does this by building relationships and partnerships with your community and your partner hospitals. We invest in one another, to invest in our community,” she added.

Learn more about the nursing degree options at ECC.


ECC Nursing Grads Presented With Clinical Excellence Awards


May 28, 2021 | Campus News

Four East Central College Nursing Program graduates were honored May 15 with Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards from the college’s community health care partners.

Each year, Mercy Hospital Washington, Phelps Health in Rolla and Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan present nursing graduates with Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards during the pinning ceremony marking the completion of the program.

The award recipients are Lilli-Anne Mantle, Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient; Karlie Peth and Jennifer Eaton, Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing award recipients; and Brittany Smith, Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient.

The awards were presented to the graduates by ECC Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla.

To be consider for the Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards, the graduate nurse must:

  • Demonstrate characteristics of caring and compassion.
  • Demonstrate the spirit of inquiry.
  • Demonstrate exceptional critical thinking and decision making.
  • Demonstrate superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.

To learn more about the ECC Nursing and Allied Health program, visit https://www.eastcentral.edu/nursing/, or contact Nancy Mitchell at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu.

Mercy Clinical Excellence Award

The Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to ECC Union nursing graduate Lilli-Anne Mantle. From left, are, ECC Union nursing faculty members Jessica Van Leer and Dr. Connie Wissbaum; Mantle; and Union nursing faculty members Judy Bieker and Brittany Yoakum.

Missouri Baptist Clinical Excellence Award

A Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence Award was given to Karlie Peth. From left are ECC Union nursing faculty members Jessica Van Leer and Dr. Connie Wissbaum; Peth; and Union nursing faculty members Judy Bieker and Brittany Yoakum.

 

A Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing was presented to ECC Rolla nursing graduate Jennifer Eaton. From left are ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Joannie Blakely, Eaton; and Rolla nursing faculty members Courtney Brandt and Julie Chirban.

Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence

Brittany Smith was presented the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. From left are ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Joannie Blakely; Smith; and Rolla nursing faculty members Courtney Brandt and Julie Chirban.


Nursing Students Receive Phelps Health Scholarships


February 2, 2021 | Campus News

Three second-year East Central College Rolla nursing students recently received scholarships from Phelps Health because of their dedication to their field of study.

Summer Thorp-Lancaster, Mallory Fox and Brittany Smith each received $2,000.

“The scholarship really helped cover the extra fees associated with the program and graduation,” explained Smith.

“This scholarship makes a huge difference. The books add up, and for the nursing program we have uniforms and supplies we have to buy so it’s a huge weight off our shoulders and makes it so we don’t have to work an extra 40 hours to pay for that,” added Thorp-Lancaster.

“There is a physical relief in receiving that help because it means I can step back from that extra shift at work,” Fox said.

Phelps Health distributes these scholarships to Registered Nursing, Licensed Practical Nursing and Allied Health students. Each scholarship candidate must complete an application and complete an interview. The committee who picks the scholarship winners base their decisions on several key factors.

“The decision is based on items such as goal to remain local to the area, overall interaction with the committee, promptness for the interview, does the committee feel the applicant possesses the characteristics needed for health care and several other areas” said Crystal Lorah, manager of auxiliary and volunteer services at Phelps Health.

Local Scholarship 

This local scholarship helps students, who in turn help the community. Fox and Smith currently work at Phelps Health and are dedicated to staying there after graduation to continue to help their community.

“I like that it’s coming from my community and I can put it right back into the community” explained Smith.

“It felt like a reward from our employer,” Fox said.

“It is really hard to work full-time and in knowing that they are investing in us so we can get our education and further our time with Phelps Health is a big plus for this scholarship” she added.

While Thorp-Lancaster has not made a final decision yet on where she will be after graduating with her Associate of Arts in nursing, she feels called towards the labor and delivery unit but has recently also become very interested in the emergency room and the medical surgery floor. She will be exploring her options for getting her bachelor’s degree as well.

Perfect Fit

Nursing program coordinator and nursing instructor Laura McDonald thinks these women were a perfect fit for this scholarship.

“All three of them are very dedicated to safe quality patient care and being successful professional registered nurses. They are incredibly driven to succeed,” McDonald said.

McDonald taught these students in their first year of the nursing program and continues to advise them now in their second year. She sees a very bright future for each of these students.

“These are very well deserved and appropriate scholarships for these women. They are always willing to step up and help. They stay focused on their goals and will make a huge impact in our community.”