Supporting Students: Nursing Education At Mercy Medical Center
The Department of Labor says more than 1
million new nurses will be needed in the United States by 2010.
Mercy Medical Center in Springfield is responding to that need with
several innovative programs to support nursing students from a host
of backgrounds.
For starters, Mercy is supporting its own employees who want to become nurses. Thanks to a nearly $90,000 grant funded by the Workforce Training Fund, a program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training, 13 Mercy employees currently enrolled or accepted in area nursing schools will receive financial help with books, tuition, fees, uniforms and other educational expenses this fall.
“Most participants work full-time at
Mercy while raising families,” said Maureen Lanzoni, R.N.,
director of Mercy’s Education Department. “We’re
here to help ensure their success—whether it’s
arranging for tutorials, hosting peer-support luncheons or offering
help transitioning into the nursing workforce. Their motivation is
contagious.”
Frances L. Godek, 42, of West Springfield is married with three children. A patient care technician at Mercy and STCC nursing student, Godek is one of the grant recipients.
“It’s a wonderful
opportunity,” said Godek. “The grant is really going to
help me focus more on my studies and clinical work without having
to worry as much about finances.”
This December, Godek will participate in Mercy’s Nurse Internship program, another of the hospital’s
educational initiatives designed to support nursing students and expand the area’s nursing pool.
“Our Nurse Internship Program
serves as a link
between academia and hospital nursing,” said Beverly Ventura,
vice president of patient care services at Mercy. “We pair
student nurses from colleges across Western Massachusetts with
experienced registered nurse preceptors during either a 5 or
10-week program.”
Students gain experience in the hospital’s medical/surgical units, critical care unit, emergency room, Family Life Center for Maternity and more. Each day they add knowledge and skills that often can’t be duplicated in the classroom. Many have taken advantage of opportunities in Surgical Services, the Cardiac Catheterization lab, the Special Procedures Unit and Interventional Radiology.
“Interns are exposed to a wide range of
clinical situations that will help them shape their nursing
careers,” said Lanzoni, “And they get paid while
they’re with us, which is an added plus.”
American International College nursing student Winnifred K. James-Wright is taking part in Mercy’s 10-week summer internship. The 26-year-old Springfield resident will enter her junior year this fall as she works toward the four-year degree of Bachelor of Science in nursing (B.S.N.).
“In the classroom you get some hands-on skills, but actually working in a hospital and experiencing the real-world aspects of acute care nursing is really valuable,” said James-Wright.
Her 10-week internship will also qualify James-Wright as a patient care technician (PCT), a paid position at Mercy she plans to keep part-time until she graduates.
“Students who do it love it,” said Eileen M. Neville, Ed.D, Dean of the School of Nursing at Springfield Technical Community College. “They’re getting additional clinical experience, they’re getting paid, and they’re not getting graded, so the situation is a little more relaxed than during the semester.”n