Tag: College of Nursing

NSU Receives Funding to Address Nursing Shortage

Nova Southeastern University has been awarded more than $3.5 million in funding from the State of Florida ($1.75 million) as well as three healthcare partners ($1.75 million) – HCA/East Florida, Baptist Health/South Florida, and Memorial Healthcare System – to address our state’s critical nursing shortage. NSU will use this funding to provide dozens, if not hundreds, of student scholarships, mentorship opportunities, clinical faculty appointments and equipment upgrades that will continue to put NSU at the forefront of nursing education.

In 2022, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 2524, creating the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (“LINE”) funding program. The LINE Fund was created to incentivize collaboration between nursing education programs and health care partners to combat the growing nursing shortage in the state. The Legislature allocated $19 million for LINE funding and of that amount, $4.6 million was earmarked for private colleges and universities, via a competitive grant process. Nursing programs seeking funding are required to partner with, and obtain funding from, a healthcare provider. The State – through the Florida Department of Education – then matches the healthcare partner funding on a dollar-to-dollar basis.

In October 2022, NSU’s Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing submitted its LINE Program application for $1,762,621. This amount was to match a commitment of funds from private donors:   $500,000 from HCA, $1,062,619 from Baptist, and $200,000 from Memorial Healthcare System. On December 16, 2022, the Department of Education issued Prioritized Funding List, scoring the 26 applications from private colleges and universities that applied for funding. NSU tied for the second-highest score among 26 private colleges and universities and received the third-highest award amount of $3,525,242 as a result of the match.

On February 9, 2023, the Department formally issued its award notification to NSU for the State’s matching funds. The College of Nursing is working diligently to implement its clinical adjunct faculty recruitment measures, purchase and integrate new equipment, and – most importantly – to identify and begin issuing scholarships to eligible NSU students in partnership with HCA, Baptist, and Memorial.

Posted 03/12/23

Nursing Graduate’s TikTok Exam Reveal Goes Viral

Shannon Rosen

Shannon Rosen, a recent Nova Southeastern University nursing graduate from Lee County, posted a reaction video of her and her father viewing my “passing” NCLEX score and the video has now been featured on many news stations as well as been shared on Good Morning America.

Rosen, a 26-year-old from Estero, Fla., attended NSU’s Fort Myers campus. Her TikTok video last month showing her and her father crying and hugging went viral, racking up more than 620,000 views since March 10.

Read the story and see the video.

Posted 04/21/22

NSNA Jack & Jill Children’s Center Donation Drive

Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing’s National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) hosted a donation drive for the Jack & Jill Children’s Center. It is the oldest non-profit organization in Broward county that provides childhood education and family resources. In the past, they have partnered with NSU for community nursing clinical rotations and therefore we were motivated to help them collect supplies during such a troubling time. The nursing college collected food, diapers, gift cards, children’s clothing, cleaning supplies, and more necessary items for the organization. The donation drive surpassed expectations and had over 60 students plus administration and faculty from multiple NSU campuses donate to the organization. It is wonderful to be able to help such a wonderful organization that helps so many people in our community. Thank you so much to everyone that donated!

Fort Myers Student Nurses Association Breast Cancer Walk

The Fort Myers Student Nurses Association (FMSNA) organized and hosted the “Walk Your Way” community service activity with Lee County Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The students hosted a closed event to students, faculty and their families on October 11, 2020, in which they walked 2 miles. During the month of October, FMSNA sponsored many fundraising activities, including “Penny Wars” between nursing cohorts, T-shirt sales, and donations. They raised $628 for Breast Cancer Research and Awareness. Our local TV station, WINK News, provided coverage of the event the Wednesday before the walk to inspire others to sponsor their own “Walk Your Way” event.

Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing’s National Student Nurses Association Angel Tree Gift Donations

Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing’s National Student Nurses Association (NSNA), Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus, hosted a donation drive with Angel Tree to collect holiday presents for local children with incarcerated parents. In total, 100 presents were collected for 50 local children! The donation drive was such a success that the original goal of 30 presents was reached on the first day, and we continually surpassed each goal until we reached 100 presents! The enthusiasm shown by the nursing students to participate was inspiring. NSNA is grateful to be a part of a wonderful project sharing joy and kindness within the community. Thank you so much to everyone that donated!

National Student Nurses Association Host a Virtual Event with Handy, Inc.

Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing’s National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) hosted a 3-day virtual event with Handy, Inc. to promote healthy habits and nursing careers to local youth. Handy, Inc. is a nonprofit organization in Broward county that guides the education and career development of local at-risk youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and the foster care system. The 3-day virtual event consisted of a daily Zoom call where NSU nursing students and faculty volunteered to describe the pursuit of a nursing education and provided health promotion on diet, exercise, hygiene, flu shots, mental health, and health maintenance. The event was a great success and on the last day all Handy participants answered nearly 100% correctly when asked about the information taught during the event. Thank you to the NSU students and faculty that volunteered, and we are grateful to have shared this experience with Handy, Inc!

National Student Nurses Association Host the Thanksgiving BENA Food Drive

Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing’s National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) hosted a Thanksgiving food drive with the Broward Emergency Nurses Association. There were 470 items donated from students and faculty from both the Davie and Palm Beach campuses. The contributions were donated to The Pantry of Broward, which serves seniors who live on low fixed incomes, and grandparents who raise their grandchildren. Sarah Koplow, PhD, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, who serves as the NSNA E-Board’s faculty advisor, collected the donations during the food drive in a safe manner and has been a wonderful support during these times. Fins up for the NSNA team, and a huge thank you to all who contributed to this food drive!

 

 

 

May 2020 B.S.N. Graduates Present at National Nursing Conference

Jennifer Gray, B.S.N., Chloe Hollands, B.S.N., and Nicole Proto, B.S.N., graduates from the B.S.N class of 2020, gave a virtual podium presentation at the Association of Community Health Nurse Educators Annual Institute, June 3-June 5, 2020.

The title of the presentation was “Creative Approaches to Teaching Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Healthy Nutrition”. The students created this tool and associated technique during a Community clinical rotation in the fall of 2019.  The clinical took place at an alternative high school and the population they served was adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Gray, Hollands, and Proto served as educators for adults with IDD as part of a study, “The Effects of Fit 5 and Gardens on Adults with Intellectual Disabilities” was awarded a President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant (PFRGD). Mary Ellen Michell-Rosen, Ph.D., M.S.N., R.N., the PI of the study, worked along with Special Olympics International for the development of the study and served as the faculty advisor for the students. Holly Evans Madison, Ph.D., M.S.(N), R.N. was a member of the research team and provided faculty support.

Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society Induction

The Upsilon Chi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society (Sigma) held its Induction on May 12, 2020. This event took place on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. Her legacy of using evidence for practice, caring, and commitment to the most needed populations was celebrated.  Over one hundred new members were inducted in to the chapter’s very first virtual ceremony. These new members included BSN, MSN, and doctoral students as well as faculty.

Highlights of the Induction Ceremony included an award presented to Marcella Rutherford, Ph.D., M.B.A, MSN, RN, Dean of the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, for Leadership and Vision. As the founding Dean of the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), Rutherford oversaw the development of nursing education on six NSU campuses, including prelicensure, advanced practice nursing, and doctoral programs. Additionally, understanding the value of Sigma, she sought to have a chapter established at ACON and was a founding member of Upsilon Chi. Dean Rutherford also gave a powerful address to the inductees which highlighted the importance of nursing in difficult times, such as now. Mary Ellen Mitchell-Rosen, Ph.D., RN, faculty in the BSN Program in Fort Lauderdale/Davie, was presented with the Chapter Leadership and Engagement award for her continuous leadership in the Chapter. She too, was a founding member of Upsilon Chi and throughout its history has served as an officer. Mitchell-Rosen is the past president and current treasurer of the Chapter.

Our new inductees were the focus of the address by Shena Gazaway, Ph.D., MSN, RN, the Regional Coordinator of Sigma North America Region 7. She highlighted how membership and participation in Sigma are steppingstones to support nurses and to assist them in reaching their career goals.  Students receiving special recognition for their scholarship included Yamilee Cabrol-Palma, BSN, RN, from the MSN ARPN Program in Palm Beach who received the Graduate Student award, and Chole Hollands from the Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus, who received both the Undergraduate and Community Service awards.

The president of Sigma, Richard Ricciardi‘s, Ph.D., CRNP, FAANP, FAAN call to action, to infuse joy was felt over the many miles as inductees, family, friends, faculty, and members gathered to celebrate their induction into the Upsilon Chi Chapter of Sigma.

Day in the Life of a Nurse 2019

On Friday, October 4, 2019, students and faculty from the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, participated in the Day in the Life of a Nurse. The Nursing Consortium of South Florida, a coalition of hospitals, nursing schools, and health care staffing organizations, organizes this annual event to promote partnerships with South Florida public school districts and many private high schools and middle schools. The Fort Lauderdale Entry-Level Nursing Program welcomed 26 students and 3 teachers from Falcon Cove Middle School, Weston, FL to our nursing lab facilities located at the Health Professions Division Annex. The middle school students had the opportunity to learn about the nursing profession by working with entry-level nursing students and faculty. The day began with entry-level BSN nursing students and faculty sharing their individual stories that led them to a nursing career as well as highlighting their experiences at Nova Southeastern University and concluded with a meeting with Dean Marcella Rutherford, sharing her perspectives on the nursing profession as well as her personal journey as a nurse. Various hands-on activities were provided for the middle school students such as taking vital signs, handwashing, and working with high-fidelity simulators. This is the seventh year Fort Lauderdale campus has participated in the Day in the Life of a Nurse. Thank you to the third and fourth semester BSN students who shared their NSU experiences as well as participating in the hands-on activities. This program was facilitated by Assaf College of Nursing professors: Lisa Soontupe, Ed.D., RN, CNE; Caroline Smikle, Ph.D., RN; Sarah Koplow, Ph.D., APRN, AGPCNP-BC; Iris Berryhill, DNP, MSN, RN and clinical faculty, Susan Kiernan, MSN, RN; Vivia Haye, MSN, RN, and Ann Edwards, MSN, RN.

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