Dominican Republic experience brings together students from different disciplines

During the Fall Break international nursing clinical experience in the Dominican Republic (DR), junior and senior nursing students partnered with six students from Campus Ministry to provide care, education, and service to Haitian immigrants living in the sugar cane fields. The nursing students were joined by four students majoring in biology/science as a pathway to medical school and two students from the Villanova School of Business. During their time in the DR, the students majoring in the biology, chemistry, physics, and business had the opportunity to see nursing care in action and learn skills alongside the nursing students. In this picture, senior nursing student Samantha Cembrook (center) and junior nursing student Rachel Seggel (left), teach Ben Kramer, a student majoring in physics and chemistry how to take a blood pressure.

After working with the nursing students in rural, mobile healthcare clinics all week, business major Lupe Mata exclaimed that he “loves nurses.” Assistant Professor Tamara Kear, PhD, RN, CNN, who guided the nursing students along with adjunct faculty Cathy McDonald, MSN, RN, notes, "It was an excellent opportunity for the students majoring in nursing, science, and business to learn more about the disciplines of other students at Villanova University and find that we all share common links in our professions."

Kelly Nestor to join board of local long term care facilities

Kelly Ann P. Nestor, ‘96, BSN, ‘08 MSN, ANP-BC, was notified on July 31, 2012 by Kevin Ross, NHA, MPH, president and CEO that she was unanimously elected to the Board of Directors for Saunders House (Wynnewood, Pa.) and Bryn Mawr Terrace (Bryn Mawr, Pa.). She begins her three year term at the end of September. Nestor is a clinical instructor in the nurse practitioner track of the Graduate Program at Villanova University College of Nursing. Nestor is an experienced adult nurse practitioner who sees patients in her long term care setting practice where she has been practicing for the last four years in conjunction with Western Mainline Medical Associates. She teaches adult and gerontology content for advanced practice nurses in the College of Nursing and lectures on palliative care and health policy issues. Additionally, Nestor is pursuing her doctorate in health policy at The University of New Mexico.

Rappelling with the Army

You never know where Nursing faculty might be or what they might be doing to enhance the education of our students. Here, Dr. Carol Weingarten, 2nd from right, rappels down a wall with the aid of a trustworthy member of the United States Army. She and alumna Christa Gardner-director of recruitment and admissions- are at Fort Lewis, WA for an educator conference learning more about Army ROTC and LDAC, the summer Leadership Development and Assessment Course for rising seniors. Dr. Weingarten also gave a presentation at the meeting.

Sophomores begin clinical experience

The College of Nursing sophomore clinical group at Bryn Mawr Terrace included (left to right) Makenzie Lannon, Meghan Linnehan, Kelly Mahn, Ann Scheve (Adjunct Clinical Faculty), Abby Kent, Alyssa Lodato, Stephanie Luff, Kristin O’Hara, and Lisa Novak.

Villanova nursing students begin clinical experience in sophomore year. One of the clinical sites used by them is local Bryn Mawr Terrace. Bryn Mawr Terrace is certified as a continuing care retirement community, providing long-term care and short-term rehabilitative services to older adults, as well as personal care, respite care, dementia care, and independent living. Adjunct Clinical Professor Ann Scheve, MSN, RN is leading the clinical rotation of sophomore nursing students from Villanova as they come to Bryn Mawr Terrace to learn. She is bringing several groups of nursing students there to observe the practices of the nursing staff and to begin to use their own clinical skills and knowledge in the care of patients. In the sophomore year, the clinical rotation focuses on learning fundamental nursing skills. The nurses and the care staff at the Terrace welcome the students as they provide additional compassionate and caring assistance that is always appreciated.

Villanova Nursing in 3 Words video

Celebrate Nurses Week! Watch how we honor Villanova Nurses everywhere in the Villanova Nursing in 3 Words video.

Young alumni share career advice

Speakers Melissa Kay Gullo, Anna Menard, and Lindsey Waters with Alyssa Canino via Skype. Traditionally the last meeting of the year for the Villanova chapter of the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) features young alumni in the Philadelphia area who speak to the group about the initial years after graduation. On April 24th that tradition was re-interpreted when panelists and CHOP nurses, Lindsey Waters (SNAP-Villanova President 2010), Melissa Kay Gullo (SNAP-Villanova 2010 Vice President), and Anna Menard (SNAP-Villanova President 2009) were joined by Alyssa Canino (Special Projects Chair 2010) who spoke via Skype. Alyssa, who is completing the Nurse Residency program in pediatrics at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN, was live on the big screen in Driscoll Hall’s lecture hall, clear and present as if she were in the room. Now a “borderless” event, the talks were as valuable as ever for current students.

Eight students honored by Who's Who

Congratulations to the Villanova Nurses who are the latest additions to the prestigious Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Celebrating their recognition at the Villanova Who’s Who event on January 27, 2012 at Llanerch Country Club in Havertown, Pa. are: (front row left to right) Kat Vitulli, Lauren Honeycutt, Brittney Bennett (back row left to right) Kelly Smith, Hillary Dutton, Megan Copel, Sinead Kemmy, Haley Werkhiser.