From the Desk of the Dean
I hope this message finds you healthy and enjoying precious hours of additional daylight. Spring brings feelings of new beginnings and this year is filled with special optimism. The pandemic which has gripped our world for two years appears to be waning. As we move from pandemic to endemic, we are figuring out how to co-exist with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Our communities are exploring a “new normal”.
Health care also is moving to a new normal. COVID-19 has disrupted the way health care is delivered and how the nursing workforce is structured. The last two years have seen expanded use of telehealth, nurses increasingly functioning at the full scope of their license, a shift to universal respiratory precautions, and changes in how nursing care is delivered. While the last two years have been difficult, they also have been a time of innovation. This newsletter brings stories about how the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing impacts health and health care in Montana and beyond.
I am grateful to the nurse preceptors, faculty, donors, and leaders who contribute to ensuring the education we offer Bobcat nurses continues to be cutting edge and affordable. At each of our five campuses located in Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula, a Local Clinical Advisory Board, composed of nurse leaders from across diverse health care settings, meets with me twice a year to share their wisdom. These nurse leaders take time out of their busy schedules to do what none of us can do alone – look into the future to predict what the graduate of today will need to be a nurse tomorrow. These clinical partners help to ensure that we continue to educate Bobcat nurses, nurse leaders and nurse practitioners who will serve Montana for decades to come.
MSU’s nursing college named for Mark and Robyn Jones
On November 18, 2021 the Montana Board of Regents approved Montana State University's request to name its nursing college the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing.
“It is our honor to recognize the extraordinary generosity of Mark and Robyn Jones. It was our deliberate action, as a university community, to initiate this recognition. Mark’s and Robyn’s investment in our MSU College of Nursing will benefit generations of Montanans and we acknowledge it is only fitting that they are recognized.” - MSU PRESIDENT WADED CRUZADO
Retired MSU nursing professor creates endowed professorship to support Caring for Our Own Program
A charitable endowment given by Kathleen Chafey, a former director of a Montana State University program that provides support for Indigenous students pursuing nursing degrees, will help support the program in the years to come.
MSU and its Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing announced today the Kathleen Chafey Nursing Professorship, permanently naming the position in honor of the woman who founded the college’s Caring for Our Own Program, or CO-OP. MSU nursing professor Laura Larsson, who currently directs CO-OP, is the inaugural recipient of the endowed professorship.
“Dr. Chafey was visionary when she created the CO-OP program over two decades ago with the ultimate goal of addressing health disparities among Native Americans by increasing the number of American Indian/Alaska Native nurses. Today, Kay has again shown her vision and commitment to CO-OP by ensuring it will have strong leadership in perpetuity through this endowed professorship for the CO-OP faculty director.” - Dean Sarah Shannon
MSU nursing professor featured in New York Times article about nationwide nursing shortage
Peter Buerhaus was featured in a New York Times article about a nationwide shortage of nurses and the risks that accompany the shortage. The piece, “‘Nursing is in crisis’: Staff shortages put patients at risk,” was published Aug. 21 and included quotes from Dr. Buerhaus, an expert on the economics of the nursing workforce and head of the MSU Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies.
MSU study shows nursing labor market tightened, wages rose during first 15 months of pandemic
A new study from a Montana State University researcher, Dr. Peter Buerhaus and his colleagues provides evidence that the labor market tightened for the nursing workforce throughout the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by falling employment and rising wages across the industry.
"There has been so much written about the pandemic’s impacts on nurses, but this is the first analysis of the economic impacts using national data." Dr. Peter Buerhaus
The paper, “Nurse Employment During the First 15 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” was published today in the January issue of the journal Health Affairs. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Current Population Survey, which is administered monthly by the U.S. Census Bureau, the study identified and described the immediate economic impact of the pandemic on registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants across the U.S. from April 2020 through June 2021.
MSU College of Nursing and St. Vincent Healthcare collaborate to open new nursing simulation lab in Billings
"The new SIM space has totally validated and energized the simulation experience for students and faculty. Students were able to fully participate in the scenario just as they would in the live environment of the hospital. Faculty were able to see students integrating nursing knowledge and building confidence. Students showed teamwork and increased communications skills to achieve positive outcomes for patients. The high-fidelity simulators and the beautiful space contribute to a memorable and impactful education experience." - Teresa Wicks, Assistant teaching professor, MRJCON billings campus
"I was able to practice thinking through the basic assessment without the pressure of a real patient and was able to try out different options for care." - Shawna Finch, MRJCON Nursing student, Billings campus
BRIGHT FUTURES
Insights from our Recent Graduates
EMILY ANDERSON
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose nursing because I wanted a career that could give back to my community. I wanted to be the hands that helped out those who are hurting. Nursing combines practicality and compassion which is exactly what I wanted in a career. I also love that nursing is flexible, as there are so many areas you can work in and nursing allows for a great work/family balance.
Why did you choose your specific nursing position?
I chose Internal Medicine because I love ambulatory care! With this position I get to work with the geriatric population and build relationships with clients at each visit.
What are you most excited about for your future?
I am most excited about continuing to learn in a "real life" setting. While I have learned so much at MSU, nurses never stop learning. I also am looking forward to using my degree on a volunteer basis and provide care to those in need.
BRIGHT FUTURES
Madison neuhoff
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose nursing because I wanted to make an impact in people’s lives. Nursing is such an honorable way to help vulnerable populations/individuals. I remember being a CNA at a long term care facility and found that I was filled with the most purpose and passion while serving the residents and family members.
Why did you choose your specific nursing position?
I chose to accept a job at Saint Vincent’s in the ICU. From the beginning of nursing school I knew I was interested in critical care. I found that the patients’ and family members that I would serve would be going through some of the most challenging times in their lives and I wanted nothing more than to be the person to bridge the gap and give them hope and care during those times. I wanted to educate people during the challenges that are faced in the ICU because I strongly believe someone who is educated can start to find comfort and peace. The unknown is such a scary place and that is a place where I hope to help.
What are you most excited about for your future?
I am most excited to learn from the nurses around me from all different levels of experience. I love how nursing is a career where learning never ends, and a curious mind is always welcomed. I think from here on I know that I will continue to grow as a nurse and be able to impact not only my patients but community. I hope people leave my care with trust in the nursing profession as a whole.
hello to
Noteworthy!
Kellie Phillips, Clinical Instructor - Billings Campus was invited to serve as a Special Government Employee of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services of the Heath Resources and Services Administration.
The Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) has been supporting a record number of American Indian nursing students this academic year.
"Healthcare on the reservation is kind of rough, you know. No one knows a Native American like another Native American and, you know, culture is important. We know what topics are sensitive and how to serve our people.” - Cheyenne Whiteman - Nursing and CO-op student
Dr. Julie Ruff, Assistant Professor - Bozeman Campus was awarded the Dr. Frank Newman Rural Health Leadership award for her work with American Indian children.
Laurie Glover, Associate Clinical Professor, Great Falls Campus was accepted to the Edmond J. Safra Visiting Nurse Faculty Program to learn how to educate nursing students who to work with Parkinson's patients.
Dr. Denise Rivera, Assistant Professor, Missoula Campus received a Certificate of Achievement from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
Alumni Spotlight
International Nursing Student
Yen Lin Lee
In July of 2021 Thomas Li and six members of his family stopped to visit MSU MRJCON. Thomas's mother, Yen Lin Lee attended MSU as an international nursing student. This was an unexpected and highly enjoyable visit for both the family of Yen Lin Lee and MRJCON.
Yen Lin Lee was born in Beijing, China. She attended Montana State University as an international nursing student from 1956 -1960, graduating with her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She worked as a nurse from 1960-1963. She took a brief hiatus from work to have and raise 4 children and returned to work in 1975. Her husband was also an alumnus from Montana State University and received his PhD in chemistry. Due to his job, they moved to many different cities, including Toledo, Ohio; Naperville, Illinois; and Midland, Michigan. Due to the versatility of a nursing degree and the high demand for nurses, Yen was able to take time off to raise a family and she was always able to find a quality and high paying nursing position. She worked in many different areas of health care. She worked in the ICU and CCU, in the medical and surgical inpatient floors and also in a cardiac chest pain observation floor and in an outpatient clinic.
"Yen was so productive that when she finally retired, the hospital had to hire 2 nurses to replace her!" - Thomsas Li
During her years of work, Yen was noted and respected for her ability to place IVs and draw blood and was often pulled to help with these throughout the hospital. She was also on the Code Blue team to start IVs and draw blood. Yen was so productive that when she finally retired, the hospital had to hire 2 nurses to replace her! Due to her love of nursing and medicine, all 4 of her children went into the medical field: her older daughter became a pediatric surgeon, younger daughter became a dentist, older son became a general surgeon, and her younger son became an internal medicine physician. In the year 2000, Yen Lin donated money to MSU to create an endowment for scholarships for future nursing students, to follow in her footsteps.
meet our ANEW and/or BHWET East Scholars
Track: Family Practice DNP
Year of Study: 3rd
Undergrad: ASN and BSN at Salish Kootenai College
Hometown: Polson MT
Currently Located In: Ronan, MT
Interests: My family, crafts, and being outdoors
Interesting Fact: I have six children, two dogs, one lizard and an amazing husband.
Track: Psych/Mental Health DNP
Year of Study: 4
Undergrad: Carroll College
Currently Located In: Helena, MT
Interests: Spending time with her husband, three amazing children, and a multitude of furry, feathered, and scaled friends. She loves hiking, attempting to garden, and supporting her family in their many sporting events and activities.
Track: DNP Psych/Mental Health
Year of Study: 3
Undergrad: Salish Kootenai College
Hometown: Browning (first 11 years, then Missoula for 30)
Currently Located In: Browning
Interests: Helping people and enjoying my kids
Interesting Fact: I am the only nurse in my family, one of only a few family members to receive a bachelor's degree. I have been sober for nine-plus years, walking the walk I intend to talk.
Track: DNP, Family
Year of Study: 3rd Year
Undergrad: Montana State University
Hometown: Dixon, MT
Currently Located In: Dixon, MT
Interests: Family, Reading, Health, Environment & Fitness
Interesting Fact: I am a mother of twins.
MRJCON Sponsored programs in the news
MSU receives $2.2 million grant for program that aims to recruit and graduate American Indian and Alaska Native nurses
The four-year Nursing Workforce Diversity grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration will allow the MSU Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing to offer scholarships to 15 American Indian and Alaska Native nursing students enrolled in its Caring for Our Own Program. Dr. Laura Larsson, Professor - Bozeman Campus is the Director of this program.
Partnership led by MSU College of Nursing and AHEC to train mental health providers for eastern Montana
A new collaboration between Montana State University’s College of Nursing, the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Education Center, MSU Billings and Billings Clinic aims to help address a shortage of mental health providers in eastern Montana.
The partnership, known as Montana Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training – Eastern and North Central Montana, or BHWET-East, will provide training opportunities and financial support for students working to become psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, mental health counselors or psychiatrists. The work is supported by a four-year, $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. The project is lead by Dr. Stacy Stellflug, Assistant Professor - Billings Campus.
Montana State University, University of Montana receive $1.9 million to address mental health care needs in western Montana
A new four-year, $1.9 million grant will enable a team of collaborators at Montana State University and the University of Montana to continue a program that trains students to better serve individuals with mental health care needs.
The grant, from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, will continue funding the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program. Known as BHWET-West, the program is administered by both MSU and UM and focuses on meeting mental health care needs in western Montana, particularly those of children, adolescents and youth. MSU's efforts on this project are lead by Dr. Tracy Hellem, Associate Professor, Missoula Campus.
MSU nursing professor Angela Jukkala works to prepare students to care for Montana veterans
Angela Jukkala, a faculty member on the Montana State University College of Nursing’s Great Falls campus, wants to ensure students are well-prepared to provide excellent care to Montana veterans.To help MSU students, Jukkala and her collaborators have created a simulation for nursing students that lets them learn about providing care to a veteran who has PTSD and suicidal thoughts. Jukkala is also conducting research in several Montana communities to assess veterans’ needs and is volunteering as chair of the regional Joining Community Forces initiative, which connects local service providers to appropriate local resources, resulting in better support of service members, military families and veterans.
"One in 10 Montana residents is a veteran, so nurses throughout the state are likely to care for numerous veterans throughout their careers – even if they don’t work in a veteran-specific facility." - Dr. Angela Jukkala
MSU-led team works to provide health care services to Latino and Latina immigrants in Gallatin County
A team comprising Montana State University professors, students and community partners is working to address mental health concerns and provide health screenings and other services for members of the Latino and Latina immigrant community in the Gallatin Valley.
The team works both to identify barriers to optimal health and brainstorm strategies to promote health. The ultimate goal of the work, called Proyecto SALUD, is to reduce health disparities experienced by members of the community. SALUD, which stands for Scientists And Latinos United against Disparities, means “health” in Spanish.
The team is led by Sally Moyce, assistant professor in the MSU College of Nursing. Other team members include David Claudio, associate professor in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering; Maria Velazquez, instructor and director of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering; and Liz Aghbashian, health promotion specialist at the Gallatin City-County Health Department. Students in nursing, medicine, economics, engineering and Latin American studies are also involved. In addition, the group is supported by a community advisory board.