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.

Villanova launches new Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

Villanova University College of Nursing’s full-time Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program starts in June 2012 and is created exclusively for advanced practice nurses. The goal of the program is to prepare APRNs with advanced knowledge in evidenced-based practice, organizational leadership, and financial acumen to lead innovation in nursing practice and healthcare. The complex issues and changing landscape of healthcare have created a need for APRNs to respond effectively and implement solutions with interdisciplinary teams or independently in order to achieve positive healthcare outcomes for individuals and populations.

Led by Director Debra Shearer, EdD, MSN, FNP-BC, Villanova’s DNP provides students with a personalized experience - one of the hallmarks of a Villanova Nursing program. It integrates the convenience of an online DNP program with minimal on-campus visits. Villanova’s DNP is a practice-focused doctoral program that relates to the student’s work environment, with an emphasis on broad systems thinking in order to facilitate the design and implementation of models of patient care and clinical practice.

Villanova’s DNP is designed in four consecutive semesters with a unique, clinically-themed DNP Project supported by faculty and clinical mentors. Each DNP cohort will have a theme to direct the DNP Project as it relates to their individual practice environments. Each student will then use the theme as a foundation for their scholarly DNP Project.

APRNs who want to translate nursing science to clinical practice and improve health care outcomes can learn more about Villanova’s DNP program during an Information Session on November 30th from 5 to 7 pm. For APRNs who attend the session, the application fee is waived. Register online at www.villanova.edu/nursing/dnp .