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Bobcat nurse Winter 2023

Winter greetings!

The motto of the MSU Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing is:

Five Campuses | ONE COLLEGE | Serving Montana

In this newsletter, you will read about the many ways our college truly lives this motto each and every day. The College’s faculty, staff, students and alums serve Montana (and beyond) through teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and leadership and engagement. We are dedicated to making Montana a great place to live by ensuring Montanans have quality, accessible, and compassionate health care from nurses and nurse practitioners.

This spring, as I do every semester, I will be traveling to the five College of Nursing campuses located in Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell, Missoula and Bozeman. In addition to meeting with faculty, staff, students, and clinical partners, there are events planned with alumni chapters. If you are able, I would love to see you at one and have the opportunity to share more news about MSU and the College of Nursing!

From the Desk of the Dean

Sarah E. Shannon, Dean and Professor
Five Campuses | ONE COLLEGE | Serving Montana

Honoring the career of Dr. peter buerhaus upon his retirement

Please join MRJCON in extending best wishes to Dr. Peter Buerhaus, who retired from montana state in January 2023.

Dr. Buerhaus, a renowned nurse economist, is nationally recognized for his expertise on health care workforce issues. Peter joined the faculty of MSU’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing in 2015. Prior to his retirement, Peter was honored as one of four inaugural recipients of the Montana State University Presidential Medallion for Achievement, awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions to Montana State University, student learning, and impact on the respective discipline.

Peter will be deeply missed by his faculty colleagues and staff, students, and his collaborators for his humor, kindness, and "smarts".

Dr. Peter Buerhaus

Montana State University guarantees admission to the Bachelor's Program in Nursing for qualifying Montana high school graduates.

Beginning in the fall of 2023, aspiring nursing students from Montana high schools will be guaranteed admission into the nursing bachelor’s degree program in the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing at Montana State University.

In an update to its admissions system last month, the college announced the Montana Nursing Direct Entry Program. Montana high school students expecting to graduate in the spring of 2023 — and beyond — can apply for admission to the college of nursing under the new policy. Graduates of Montana high schools who apply to the College of Nursing will receive a guarantee of admission to the nursing bachelor's major as long as they remain in good standing as MSU students and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or greater in their prerequisite coursework.

Montana State faculty and AHEC to lead $4 million nursing grant to develop rural clinical resources

Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing was recently awarded a grant of nearly $4 million to strengthen clinical faculty and preceptor training in rural states across the West.

The grant, which comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, will be administered by Molly Secor, the nursing college’s associate dean for research, in collaboration with the university’s Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center. The MORH/AHEC office, which is housed within the nursing college, focuses on workforce development and health care facility support for rural Montana.

“As the demand for nurses grows in the United States, so does the demand for nurse preceptors.” Dr, Molly Secor

The goal of the project – called the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention Program - Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academies – is to increase the number of qualified clinical nursing faculty and preceptors across HHS Region 8, which includes Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. While those states make up 15.4% of the country’s geographic area, they are home to just 3.7% of its population. This low population density amplifies the challenges of accessing health care facilities for student clinical experiences and finding qualified clinical preceptors – nursing professionals who oversee student clinical experiences.

High-tech manikins bring learning to life for Montana State nursing students

Five-year-old Hal looks at the upheld finger of a nursing student who is talking to him and follows it with his eyes. When the student nurse asks him what hurts, his eyes well up with tears and the pain is evident in his facial expression.

Nursing students gaining experience with simulation manikins.

But Hal isn’t a real 5-year-old: He’s a high-fidelity manikin, one of over a dozen high-tech simulators recently purchased by the Montana State University Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing. Hal’s job, along with those of Susie (an adult female manikin), Tory (a baby manikin) and even Victoria (a birthing simulator) is to make sure MSU’s nursing students have a chance to gain experience in a real, tactile way, while also ensuring they know how to effectively handle common clinical challenges and the rare medical emergencies that a student may not encounter during their two years of clinical nursing education.

“When we send our students into a clinical learning experience, they focus on the needs of the patients they happen to see that day. But there are situations they may never get to see. Simulation gives us the ability to be intentional with our teaching, including the scenarios and learning outcomes we want all our Bobcat nursing students to master." AMANDA MAUWS , Clinical Instructor

The manikins are part of a new simulation curriculum in the nursing college. While simulation has been a part of the curriculum for many years, the content was previously determined by individual faculty members who included it in an existing course. With the new format, each semester’s simulations dovetail with what students are learning in their other courses. Whether they are learning basic patient safety, how to manage acute childhood asthma attacks, or dealing with a crisis such as a postpartum hemorrhage, the manikins can effectively simulate real-life patient care situations.

Bobcat nursing students working on a infant simulation manikin.

MRJCON Helping the nursing profession across montana

MRJCON is well represented across many nursing organizations.

MONTANA NURSES ASSOCIATION

  • Council on Professional Development (PD) Joe Poole, Janet Smith, and Rachel Huleatt-Baer
  • Council on Advanced Practice (CAP) Chairperson-CAP Margaret Hammersla, BSN, MS, PhD, ANP-BC Chairperson Elect-CAP Secretary-CAP Ann Galloway, PhD, FNP-C
  • APRN Pharmacology Conference Planning Committee – Ann Galloway, Jen Sofie and Milissa Priebe

Sigma Theta Tau, International, the Nursing Honor Society, Zeta Upsilon, Montana At-Large Chapter.

  • Ann Galloway – Leadership Succession Chair
  • Kaki Mendius – Secretary, Kalispell Campus Counselor
  • Christina Borst – Great Falls Campus Counselor, Chapter Treasurer, Past President
  • Susan Luparell – Leadership Succession Committee
  • Rebecca Rassi – Bozeman Campus Counselor
  • Susan Raph – MSU Vice President and Past President
  • Gina Marquardt – Billings Campus Counselor
  • Shelley Banta – President-elect
  • Jeanne Osellame – Missoula Campus Counselor
  • Rexanne Wieferich – Chapter Photographer

Montana Palliative Care Alliance -Governor endorsed, interdisciplinary State Task Force

  • Amanda Lucas

Montana state representative for the American Association of Nurse Practitioner

  • Margaret Hammersla

American Academy of Pediatrics special interest group for Indigenous Children’s Health

  • Julie Ruff

National Advisor Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, part of the U.S. Health Resources and SErvices Administration

  • Kellie Phillips-Asay

Forty MSU students and their mentors were honored for excellence at the February 16th MSU Founders Day Celebration

Awardees from the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing include:

  • Leah Lynch - Nursing (Billings campus) from Billings, MT. Menor Ronda Bales
  • Lauren McMann - Nursing (Kalispell campus) from Salem, Ore. Mentor Michelle Baker
  • Kelan Rivers - Nursing (Billings campus) from Anaconda, MT. Mentor Jordan Teller
  • Gina Marquardt - Nursing (Master’s Program) from Wilsall, MT. Mentor Sandra Kuntz

Faculty and staff Accomplishments and welcomes

Dr. Marcy Hanson graduated with her PhD in Public Health from the University of Montana in December 2022 and accepted a tenure track position with the MRJCON starting January 2023. Congratulations, Marcy!

Dr. Marcy Hanson
  • Dylan Wiebe - Clinical Instructor, received her Masters in Nursing with an FNP Focus.
  • Kelsie Perdew - Clinical Instructor, received her Masters in Nursing Education.

New MRJCON Staff - Welcome

Mary Gauvin, Graduate Program Manager
Misty Kuhn, Student Placement Manager

right to care without judgement

Dr. Lindsay Benes, Associate Professor, Missoula Campus.

Dr. Benes’ research aims to increase access to care for those with unstable housing and substance use disorder; a population that has an opioid overdose death rate 20 times higher than that of the general population. Medications for opioid use disorder are highly effective in saving lives, but unhoused individuals experience many barriers to accessing treatment. Dr. Benes’ research focuses on increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder through strategies proven to enhance engagement of underserved populations. The first is offering medications for opioid use disorder at syringe service programs, which use a harm reduction approach to enhance the safety and well-being of people who use drugs. Five syringe service programs across the state of Montana already serve as safe spaces for individuals with substance use disorder; the aim is to expand syringe service programs services to include medications for opioid use disorder provided by trusted syringe service program staff. Another barrier to medications for opioid use disorder access is the limited number of providers who prescribe medications for opioid use disorder. Nurse-led models have been shown to increase access by having a nurse serve as the liaison between the patient and prescriber. Having syringe service program-based nurses led this care builds on the trust already established with syringe service program clients. Finally, to build a pipeline of equity-minded healthcare providers, the team has embedded interdisciplinary health profession learners in this model with an aim of creating a workforce who honors individuals’ right to care without judgment.

Caring for our own program: Winter success academy

The Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) continues to build support programming for American Indian students based on a long track record of successes. Recent funding from the Cigna and Genentech Foundations supported the CO-OP's inaugural Winter Success Academy. This program is a four-week event preceding the start of nursing school to ensure CO-OP students start their classes well-prepared to succeed in courses and clinicals. This inaugural event was attended by seven students transferring from other institutions. As the Mark & Robyn Jones transitioned from a five-semester to a four-semester nursing curriculum, the time was right for a focused investment in the success of transfer students navigating this rigorous curriculum. The Winter Success Academy was facilitated by Ms. Marcy Cobell and included a variety of guest speakers on topics such as using electronic platforms, strategies for test-taking, and persistence from CO-OP alums. The event culminated with HOPE Day—a gathering of the 55 undergraduates currently enrolled in the CO-OP where the transfer students were welcomed into their cohorts and all CO-OP students spent a day together getting prepared for the spring 2023 semester.

CO-OP Staff (left); Great Falls CO-OP students after recent White Coat Ceremony (right).

Culturally Responsive Care: The Tanzania Experience

Partnering with Global Volunteers and the Montana State University Office for International Programs 14 students and 2 faculty from the five campuses of the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing spent two weeks in Ipalamwa Tanzania in November of 2022. Enrolled students participated in an intervention to reduce childhood stunting. This included work with a primary care clinic complete with maternity ward, various health literacy workshops, home-visiting, the distribution of food, and the construction of needed technologies such as fuel-efficient stoves, chicken coops, garden boxes, and hand-washing stations. Students worked closely with the Ipalamwa General Clinic which is staffed by two medical doctors, two nurse midwives, one pharmacist and a lab technician. The home visits and other workshops were supervised by local caregivers who were baccalaureate prepared and members of the village communities.

"Tanzania was an experience like no other. To be a student and exploring the world is such a gift and when it combines one of your passions with skills you worked so hard to develop it was impossible to deny it's impact". - Bobcat nursing student sophia visger

Bobcat Nursing students rotated through 4-hours shifts at the primary care clinic providing acute and chronic care services including obstetrics care and delivery. They also updated workshop content and delivered 16 workshops. Our nursing students developed skills on maternal and child health, family planning, sexually transmitted disease reduction, breastfeeding, nutrition counseling, food and water safety, environmental health, hygiene, and rehydration while attending dozens of home-visits in the five participating mountainous villages.

"By far, the highlight of my time in Tanzania was helping the doctor and midwife during a young woman's delivery of her first child. The duality between these two environments reignited my passion for healthcare and has prompted dreams of returning". - Bobcat nursing studenT lille brott

​In the post-covid era, international partnership with Global Volunteers is a potent clinical skill building experience for students as they gain experience working with diverse communities. Service-based learning in a transcultural setting is a comprehensive way to address the Baccalaureate Essentials for the undergraduate nurse. Students genuinely enjoyed being out in the world!

Tanzania Excitement - The Delivery of twins

In the words of Bobcat Nursing Student Sophia Visger

I (Sophia) was one of the students who assisted with a delivery of twins and it's quite a story. We had a smooth and healthy first delivery of baby one and then things escalated for delivery of baby two. After mom spent much time pushing with no success we had to set up the jeeps and prepare for emergency transport to the nearest surgical theater. The plan being to deliver baby two with C section. In a whirlwind of adrenaline, excitement, and urgency we set up the IV in the jeep, laid out protective equipment and packed supplies just-in-case. We flew down jungle roads dodging onlookers and praying to not have to deliver baby two on the road as we raced toward the hospital 2 hours away. Susanna Braun (the other Bobcat Nursing student) was assisting with contraction assessments and deep breathing with mom while I and Zorro (the nurse midwife) were crammed in the front seat executing our clinical judgement skills as we assessed speed, motion, and the risks with a vaginal delivery at this moment. After crushing the drive in fifty minutes we brought mom and family into the surgical hospital and waited for a report. We observed auscultation of fetal heart tones, assessment of labor progression and restarted IV drip lines. The doctor and surgeon conversed about the time line and we gathered our belongings for the long drive back to the village. We discovered later that night mom had a successful C section of a healthy baby girl.

This trip solidified clinical skills and made me feel so confident in my ability to help. We learned about each other and value of community to create sustainable health systems. I hope to see more study abroad experiences for nursing students because moments like these have lit the passion in my heart to be present, prepared, and surprised with everything that is healthcare. And i will never be able to forget it.

Pictures from Tanzania. 

Generous Donor support has bolstered nursing student success

Bobcat nursing students share the impact of donors who fund scholarships

Taylor Kovach, Recipient of the Betty Lou Kelly Nursing Scholarship

"Receiving a scholarship during my DNP program has immensely assisted me financially as I cut back working in the NICU in an effort to achieve a better balance as a student, nurse, wife, and new mom. Tuition assistance enables me to focus my energy on my courses and clinicals, better preparing me to be a competent provider". - Taylor Kovach

Kaiya Simpson, Recipient of the- Jane P. and Eugene E. Bourne Scholarship and the George and Laurine Harris Trust Nursing Scholarship

"As a student who worked all through college to pay for school, these scholarships were monumental. Being able to focus during my last semester to prepare for graduation, my new job, and the NCLEX was crucial. These scholarships allowed me to do that. I am forever grateful". - Kaiya Simpson

Thank you for supporting nursing education

alumni spotlight

pat oriet

breaking barriers in healthcare

MRJCON recently sat down with Pat Oriet at her home in Bozeman. Pat is 91 years young and full of energy. She was born in Wisconsin and moved to Havre, Montana in 1942 as a 6th grade student when her dad took a job at the Great Northern Railroad. Her mother worked at a furrier company cleaning fur coats. Pat graduated from High school in 1949 and immediately began her nursing education in Havre at what was then part of Montana State College. Pat eventually moved to Great Falls to complete nursing courses and clinicals. She received a $50.00 scholarship from the Anaconda Copper Company which paid for books, fees and tuition. She graduated as a Bobcat Nurse in 1952. Pat shared many interesting stories about her nursing education and career.

Pat Oriet

Why did you choose nursing?

I wanted to be an airline stewardess but, in those days, you had to have your RN to become a stewardess.

Did you know Anna Pearl Sherrick?

Yes, I did. Anna Pearl Sherrick was the Director of the school of nursing which was under the college of science in those days. Anna was very stoic and serious but also warm and kind. She fought a lot of battles for nursing.

What memory stands out from your Undergraduate nursing education?

Working on Floor 2 West at Great Falls Benefis. This floor was all geriatric patients which I really enjoyed. I was 18 at the time but grew up around my grandparents and great grand- parents so was very comfortable with older adults.

Dean Shannon with Pat Oriet prior to a MRJCON Recognition Ceremoney.

After working for ten years as a Nurse Practitioner, Pat traveled to Denver to take a test to officially become certified. Pat was the 6th Nurse Practitioner in Montana to get her prescriptive practice license allowing her to write prescriptions.

Why did you want to become a nurse practitioner?

I was working at the MSU student health center in the late 60’s which was the beginning of birth control. After getting their prescriptions, I would share free pill samples with students and soon became known as the “pill queen.” At this time, I was very focused on women’s health and spent ten years transitioning from being an RN to an NP. I counseled students with unplanned pregnancies and really enjoyed that. I also would go to the dorms or classes and give talks to the students on STD’s, contraceptives and IUD’s when no one else would. I worked in the Student Health Center for 17 years and then at a private practice OB-GYN group from 1987-2008. I finally retired at age 80!

What advice do you have for nursing students today?

Academically you will be well educated but get as much clinical experience as possible. When I worked with students in my clinical practice, they were often unsure of themselves. Also, once you become a nurse always look your patients in the eye, this is very important.

Pat has stayed connected to the MSU Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing. She has known all of the Deans since 1975. Pat also is a great friend of the CON and still attends Recognition/Pinning Ceremonies in the fall and spring.

Pat Oriet

bobcat nursing students in billings giving back to their community

ABSN students show off their flu shot skills while providing flu shots and treats to night shift nurses.

Bobcat nursing student with the flu shot cart.

For the past 3 years, MSU Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing has partnered with St. Vincent to help vaccinate their inpatient team. Instead of asking employees to wait in line on their lunch break or come in on a day off to receive a flu shot, Bobcat nursing students under the supervision of a faculty member take the flu shots and treats to each inpatient department on nights and weekends. The St. Vincent healthcare team is beyond grateful to have flu shot options come directly to them, and the students get experience giving injections. This is a great public health model, bringing care to where it is needed vs. asking people to seek out care.

Health Promotion Activity

ABSN student Sage Foss reads to preschoolers for her health promotion (Nursing 334) teaching project. The kids were enthralled by How do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?. This book prompts discussions about illness, germs, and the importance of handwashing.

Bobcat nursing student Sage Foss.
"No one has ever become poor by giving" - anne frank
PO Box 173560, Bozeman, MT 59717-3560 | Phone 406-994-3783 | nursing@montana.edu