Laying a solid foundation
By Amanda Duchsherer
Digital Communication Specialist
amanda.duchsherer@minotstateu.edu
MINOT, N.D. – When April Warren became the Department of Nursing chair at Minot State University on Aug. 4, she knew there was only one chance to get it right.
With only 17 days between her first day on the job and the first day classes began, that meant long hours for her and her team to make sure the department was set up to keep nursing students safe during a pandemic both on campus and at clinicals.
“The logistics of the nursing department such as students being in lab and simulation presented some unique challenges,” she said. “We went through every potential consideration within the nursing department and we developed a really good plan.”
While Ward County was considered green, or low, risk according to the North Dakota Department of Health until the end of September, the semester began with the department already functioning at the yellow, or moderate, level. Changes included seating charts; adjusting classes into A and B groups to accommodate HyFlex learning; wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) including face masks, face shields, and gowns during lab and stimulations; and following a Department of Nursing COVID-19 Student Algorithm.
“We need to assure our clinical sites that our students are safe to be there,” she said.
Real-life experiences provided Warren with additional foresight to semester planning. In addition to beginning her employment at Minot State, Warren also works as a nurse practitioner at Trinity Health and owns her own private mental health practice, Serenity Health Solutions.
“Coming from the clinical side of things, I was aware of the PPE shortages,” she said. “When I started in this position, I made sure we ordered more PPE for lab and simulation, and we wanted to ensure they are equipped when they go to clinicals.
“We’ve checked with each of our clinical agencies. For example, in the nursing home, they want the students in masks and face shields, so we’re sending them with masks and face shields. At the hospitals, it’s surgical masks.”
While the days have been busy, a hectic schedule is something the Balfour native has managed since her own days as a college student, which included a move to Florida.
“Right when I was accepted into the University of Mary for the nurse practitioner program, the Air Force issued our family orders down there. It definitely presented a challenge because my daughters were 1 and 2 at the time, and I kept them home with me,” she said. “I’d do my studies when they would go to bed or be napping.”
From adjusting schedules, to over a dozen flights back and forth for Institute Week, to fitting in clinicals in diverse places, Warren understands the busy student life.
“I get it. And I get it with faculty,” she said. “I have that sensitivity because it feels like yesterday, I was in their shoes.”
Her experience in Florida also brings additional perspective to the job. She did a large portion of her practicum working on mobile medical clinics for the homeless population.
“I’m really grateful for that because I look at how different things are in Florida with their public health and the challenges facing their medical system. It was almost like if First District had a mobile medical unit to provide care for the homeless,” she said. “In Florida, it was a way they paired with the hospital to make sure the homeless population was given that care.
“It was very eye opening, because I think there’s things in North Dakota that are less prominent. Even with COVID, we know it’s here at some level, but at other places, it’s been there on a different level,” she said. “We don’t always get the full impression of what things are like if we don’t step outside.”
It is bringing the outside in and laying a foundation that Warren believes creates a successful nurse.
“When we look at how the university setting is different from a clinical setting, just having the opportunity to partner with faculty and making sure the students are getting an exceptional education from the ground up is really key,” she said. “We can enhance their overall success in a clinical setting by making sure their education is delivered with a solid foundation.”
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 10/05/20 |
