Onyx Fall-Winter 2018

need for nurses, and they’ll have success finding work, especially in community health centers.” She is very excited about the addition of a master’s program, which she sees as the perfect complement to the successful undergraduate program. “This allows nursing students to go straight through from undergraduate to graduate work,” said Miller. Miller sees the nursing programs as continuing The Woods’ legacy of healthcare service and education. “We are meeting a community need, while at the same time, offering a unique student-centered program that is beneficial for future nurses and the communities they serve.”

The Woods, with 113 students having declared it as their program of study. Marcia Miller, chair and professor of nursing, believes this is partly because students want to go into the healthcare field and want a career that offers variety. “Students graduate with their nursing degrees as generalists, which allows them to work in any area, including critical care and emergency medicine,” said Miller. “They also have career flexibility. So if they want to change from oncology to psychiatry or labor and delivery, they have that option.” Miller believes the nationwide nursing shortage is another reason for students to pursue this career. “There’s a big

how to navigate these social justice issues fits nicely with SMWC’s culture and legacy. Our nurses will prepare to be better advocates for their patient populations.” Bachelor’s in Nursing sees its first graduating class In May 2018, the first undergraduate class received their bachelor’s of science in nursing. All 11 students successfully passed their licensing exams and are working in healthcare settings throughout the Midwest. Nursing has become the most popular undergraduate major at

Legacy of Healthcare Left to right: Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and the Class of 2018 Nursing Graduates — Jessica Boland, Brandy Cook, Kendall Fry, Shannon Lueking, Ashley McKee, Kaci Zimmerman Moore, Alixandra Shank-Mulligan, Ashley Todd, Mattie Varvel, Emily Vitaniemi and Nichole Willey Places of employment include: Eskenazi Hospital - Indianapolis, Methodist Hospital - Indianapolis, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health - Indianapolis, St. Vincent Hospital - Evansville, St. Vincent Hospital - Indianapolis, Union Hospital - Terre Haute.

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