Building connections and community through the Nursing Workforce Diversity program
Photo provided
Students in the Mount’s Nursing Workforce Diversity program participated in a number of activities in the Fall 2023 semester. They wrote letters of encouragement during the “Delicious Diversity: Celebrating Culture and Care for Others” event in November.
For nearly 60 Mount Saint Mary College Nursing students, the Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) program has offered a multitude of support services. In addition to financial and academic support, NWD students are offered a variety of services to help them succeed.
Currently in its second year, the NWD program was established when the School of Nursing was awarded a $1.6 million, three-year Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) Grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Focusing on the recruitment, support, retention, and graduation of nursing students from underrepresented groups, the program enrolls students in a variety of programs, ranging from peer mentoring for underclassmen to professional mentoring for senior students.
“The expectation is that we can support and guide them to the finish line, and they are able to enter the nursing workforce,” explained Linda Kelly, associate professor of Nursing and director of NWD. “Having students who have experienced diverse or challenging circumstances bring this knowledge and understanding into their nursing career benefits the nursing profession and ultimately, patients.”
Preparing for a career in nursing
Throughout the first half of the Fall semester, NWD held several events that assisted students in preparing for their careers in the field of nursing.
The first event welcomed three Nursing alumni to their alma mater to take part in the “Men in Nursing” panel.
Nicholas Johnson ‘22, Brendan Quinn ’20, and Joseph Zacchardi ’20 discussed their experiences in the field since graduating, answering questions submitted by current Mount students. They were joined on the panel by Dr. Christopher Rumsey, adjunct clinical instructor at the Mount.
The panelists provided information on their entry into nursing, their role as men in the profession, and their specialty fields, which include critical care, surgical services, Psychiatry, and more.
For example, Johnson discussed his role as a psychiatric nurse. He noted that it’s extremely rewarding to know that he’s helped his patients improve, and many have been able to return to the community.
The following week, NWD held the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) workshop on campus.
The presentation was hosted by two professionals from the Orange County Sexual Assault Prevention and Advocacy program, an initiative of the Mental Health Association of Orange County: Tina Conneely, Senior Victim Services Coordinator, and Yamaris Vaillant, Senior Sexual Assault Examiner, RN, and 2017 alumna of the Mount. Joining them was Dina Leduc, Assistant Director of the college’s Health Services.
The workshop focused on the responsibilities of sexual assault nurse examiners and the compassion they must show their patients. The presenters also discussed the equipment involved in evidence collection.
At the end of the presentation, the students joined the “Start by Believing” public awareness campaign, which challenges healthcare providers, the justice system, campus communities, and other groups to improve their response to victims of sexual assault through every stage of the healing process.
Fundraising within the community
Photo provided
Mount students, staff, and faculty at the American Cancer Society walk in October.
More than 40 students, faculty, and staff from Mount Saint Mary College took part in the American Cancer Society’s yearly Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) walk at Woodbury Common in October, earning nearly $2,300 for the cause.
The team, named Together in Pink, earned the fundraising rank of 26th out of 268 teams. Donations will fund future breast cancer research, patient support, and advocacy.
“It was a great day,” said Kelly. “Already looking forward to next year.”
Over the past three decades, the American Cancer Society’s MSABC campaign has become the nation’s largest breast cancer movement. These 3- to 5-mile noncompetitive walks provide a supportive community for breast cancer survivors, people living with metastatic breast cancer, caregivers, and families.
Building community and uplifting others
Wrapping up the semester, NWD students teamed up with the Mount’s Black Student Union, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), and Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) for the “Delicious Diversity: Celebrating Culture and Care for Others” event.
While enjoying a meal of multicultural foods, the Nursing students wrote handwritten letters to encourage and empower women and girls. The Letter Project is a female-led organization with the mission to send letters to women and girls who need some extra love, support, and encouragement. The letters, written by volunteers like the Mount students, are delivered throughout the U.S. and England.
NWD also hosted a lunch and learn event featuring Hudson Valley Hospice. Guest speakers included Teresa Holstein, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hudson Valley Hospice; and Priscilla Kraut, Vice President of Patient Access.
The students screened the moving documentary Extremis, which explores the hospice and palliative care movement. The film features families struggling to make end-of-life decisions for their loved ones.
Holstein and Kraut then delved into hospice and palliative care services, as well as the work of the Hudson Valley Hospice.
