NEWSLETTER
Update June 2008
Blessings to Kristin Hagins as she assumes the official role of Nurse Recruiter. We know our programs will continue to grow and prosper with her dedicated guidance.
UPDATE - May 2008
We are proud to announce the NLNAC's continuing accreditation of our RN-BSN program.
UPDATE - NOVEMBER 2007
We are pleased to announce our NLNAC site vist for re-accrediting the RN/BSN Program dates to be February 12 - 14, 2008. Call 720-7676 for more information on the upcoming public portion of our accreditation visit!
UPDATE - AUGUST 2007
We are proud to announce the official accreditation of our MSN program.
UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2007
The NLNAC site visitors have determined that we have met all the Standards and Criteria and have recommended initial accreditation for the MSN program. We wish to thank everyone that had an instrumental role in the success of our program.
UPDATE - JANUARY 2007
We coordially invite all members of the public to attend a reception with the NLNAC site visitors on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the Nursing Classroom and adjacent lab.
UPDATE - DECEMBER 2006
We are pleased to announce our NLNAC site vist dates to be February 13 - 15, 2007. We anticipate an open meeting with the site visitors will be held on Wednesday afternoon, February 14th, 2007. We welcome members of the public to attend. Call 720-7676 for more information on the upcoming public portion of our accreditation visit!
UPDATE - JUNE 2006
We are pleased to let you know that our application for Canididacy for the MSN Program has been granted by the NLNAC. Our Candidate status extends through the Spring of 2008. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we prepare our Self Study and anticipate a site visit related to accredation of the Master's Program in the Spring of 2007.
DECEMBER 2005
We have been blessed with a wonderful fall semester! 25 students graduated from the RN/BSN program completing their coursework in the summer and fall semesters. Over 80 are enrolled for the spring of '06.
30 students successfully completed their first semester in the MSN program.
In November, graduate student Pamela Meyer attended The 36th Annual Biennial Conference of Sigma Theta Tau International with several nursing faculty members. Here are a few excerpts from Pamela's recollections of the conference: "This years convention was held in Indianapolis, IN where the STTI headquarters are located along with the prestigious 'Virginia Henderson Library.' I learned more about their vision, mission, and membership, which numbers more than 125,000, making it the second largest nursing organization in the world. I met scholars from all over the United States and several from overseas. I attended different workshops and explored new nursing knowledge which contributed to my education and understanding of research. The opportunities for networking and collaborating are phenomenal and attending STTI was an experience I will always cherish. I am forever thankful and grateful to Lubbock Christian University, the Nursing Department, and the Nursing Instructors for such a rare, but unforgettable experience." Pamela Meyers, MSN Student.
The Department of Nursing is very grateful to have received a small capital equipment grant from the South Plains Foundation this semester. This grant will be used to purchase computers and related equipment to assist with the graduate program.
Our best wishes to all of our students and friends of LCU and the Department of Nursing.
The Nursing Faculty
JULY 2005
Welcome to our departmental website! Although the rest of the world entered the age of technology several years ago, we in the nursing department are just getting started! We welcome submissions by former students, and current students, and will make an effort to keep you updated on events in the department of nursing. God has richly blessed our program through the years, and now we have approximately 100 nurses in our program! This year has brought many changes to our program with the addition in the Fall 2005 of our first class in the Master of Science in Nursing class! We will keep you updated on our progress in this new adventure. Thank you so much for your partnership with us as we educate the future generation of nurses. Please as always keep us in your prayers that we will continue to reflect the values of this great Christian university.
In His Service,
LaNell Harrison, RN, MSN
RECRUITMENT UPDATE
Our RN-BSN program has over 80 students currently enrolled and our MSN program has over 50 students currently enrolled. Recruiting efforts have seen a substantial increase of interest through word-of-mouth from our present and former students. Recruiting has branched out to the Permian-Basin area and New Mexico as well as our local facilities and schools of nursing with several visits slated throughout the year. Kristin Hagins assumes the role of Nurse Recruiter as Lucy Brown continues to serve as part-time faculty.
FACULTY & STAFF NEWS
JoAnn Long, PhD, RN, CNAA-BC (Associate Professor, Department Chairman) JoAnn joined LCU as faculty in the Department of Nursing in 1993. In January 2005, JoAnn stepped into a new role as Department Chairman. Since that time she has been working hard coordinating the start of the MSN program. JoAnn has successfully passed the National Nursing Administration Certification Exam in 2007. JoAnn is married to her best friend, Dr. Jesse Long, Professor of Old Testament and Archaeology and Chairman of the Department of Bible at LCU. JoAnn and Jesse have two daughters, Laurel and Leah and one son-in-law, Brad. In her spare time, JoAnn is involved in Women's ministries at her church and is learning to knit. She loves to read, ride bicycles, and walk.
Bev Byers, EdD, RN, LMT, MTI (Associate Professor, Coordinator of MSN program) In January 2005, Bev stepped down from her position as Department Chair in order to spend more time with her family. She is coordinating our new MSN program, and carrying a full teaching load. Bev continues to coordinate our overseas trips and is currently planning one for Ireland. Bev is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and NANMT (Nat'l Assocation of Nurse Massage Therapists). Bev and her husband Ronny have three grown daughters (all LCU alumni) and three wonderful grandchildren. Bev along with 2 of her daughters own and operate Oceans School of Massage and Massage Therapy Center Day Spas.
LaNell Harrison, MSN, RN (Instructor, Coordinator of BSN program) LaNell joined the faculty at the Dept of Nursing in August 2005. Her role from part-time faculty has evolved to fulltime faculty and BSN Coordinator. In addition to her duties at LCU, she is a fulltime doctoral student at Texas Woman's University. LaNell is a frequent speaker for professional presentations on adolescent mothers. LaNell serves as Chair for the Membership Committee of TNA District 18 and is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau. LaNell is involved in mission trips, both personal and work-related. Her two doggies, Winston and Buka keep her busy as well as entertained with their antics. "Needless to say I stay busy, but that is the way I like it!”
Merrill Laurentz, MSN, RN (Instructor) Merrill obtained her BSN from University of Texas at Galveston and MS at Texas Woman's University. She serves as part-time instructor in the RN-BSN program. Other roles at LCU include Coordinator of Evaluation Committee and Co-coordinator of the Self Study Committee. She is on the Board of Directors of TNA District 18 and is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau. Future educational pursuits include certifications in education or community health. She assists her high school sweetheart (who is also her husband) Dr. David Laurentz at his family practice clinic. Merrill and David enjoy spending time at their future retirement lake home in Marble Falls, Texas. Their son is a pilot in the United States Air Force and their daughter is happily married and living/working in Houston.
Cindy Ford, PhD(c), RN (Instructor) Cindy has served as part-time faculty since 1995 at LCU in the RN-BSN program and also as Graduate Teaching Assistant in the MSN program. Cindy is part-time faculty at Covenant School of Nursing. Cindy is currently working on her doctorate (EdD) at Texas Tech University. Cindy passed the Qualifying Exams for her doctorate and is officially a Doctoral Candidate. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Sigma Theta Tau. Her husband Chris is engaged in farming in the New Deal area. Her son, Landon, is recent graduate of TTU with a psychology major and her daughter, Lyssa, is a RN and alumnus of Covenant School of Nursing. Son, Matthew, is a student at an area university. Cindy enjoys traveling with the LCU group each year, reading, watching movies, walking and spending time with her family. Cindy's philosophy is, "the opportunity for growth exists at LCU not only for students, but for faculty as well. The support and encouragement from the faculty continually assist me to develop to the best instructor I can be. 'Changing lives' truly is exemplified on the campus of Lubbock Christian University".
Lucy Brown, MSN, RN, LMT (Recruiter, Instructor) Lucy received her MSN in Nursing Education from TTUHSC SON in May 06. She is maintaining the role of recruiter in addition to teaching Complementary Therapies and assisting with Community Health I & II in the RN-BSN program. Lucy serves as RN consultant for a local Intermediate Care Mental Retardation Living Facility. She is a member of NANMT (Nat'l Assoc. of Nurse Massage Therapists), Sigma Theta Tau, Phi Kappa Phi, and serves as Chair for the Public Relations Committee of TNA District 18. Lucy enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband and best friend, Bobby. She has four "much loved" grown children. Two are attending a university in Oklahoma with another attending TTU. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," Phillippians 4:13.
Patsy Lock, MSN, RN (Instructor) Patsy serves as adjunct faculty in our RN-BSN program. She brings valuable experience to both our Community Health classes as well as our Leadership/Management classes. Patsy participates in bible classes at her church and volunteers at the Sick Children Clinic. Patsy is also known for her worldly travels including Africa and Nova Scotia. Patsy has contacted Oprah to raise awareness for a boarding home for young runaway ladies escaping certain body mutilation in their home country in Africa.
Carol Boswell, EdD, RN (Instructor) Carol is returning to teach in the nursing department after a number of years. Carol and her family live in the Midland/Odessa area. Carol teaches Research & Statistical Methods in the MSN program in addition to duties with TTUHSC SON in the Permian Basin. Carol stays busy with numerous committees and commitments in her community. We look forward to working with her once again.
Cynthia Weiss-Kaffie, PhD, APRN, CNS, P-MH, BC (Instructor) Cynthia, in addition to being faculty with our MSN program, has a faculty role at TTUHSC SON. Cynthia also serves as nurse legal consultant and expert witness for two law firms in San Antonio, TX. In her spare time, she enjoys pampering her yorkshire terrier and calico cat.
Annette Gary, PhD, RN (Instructor) Annette is the lead instructor for N5307 Applying Best Practices in Community Health in our MSN program. She currently is the Director of Psychiatric Nursing for Lubbock Regional Mental Health Mental Retardation Center.
Rose Jimenez, MSN, RN, C-FNP (Instructor) Rose assists our department in the role of adjunct faculty for Physical Assessment in the RN-BSN program as well as serving as Graduate Teaching Assistant in our MSN program. Rose is currently working on obtaining her PhD from Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas.
Marshall Rogers, MSN, RN (Instructor) Marshall joins our MSN adjunct faculty in his role of Graduate Teaching Assistant with the Mobile Nurse Clinic. Marshall is fulltime faculty at Covenant School of Nursing. Marshall is an alumnus of LCU (1979) with a BA in Bible & a BSN in 1998. Marshall's wife, Lisa, is also a LCU alumnus and their daughter Jennifer will be joining her parents in the ranks of alumni in May 2007.
Kristin Hagins, Special Projects Coordinator, Recruiter - Kristin joined the Dept of Nursing in August 2007. Her primary responsibilities include organizing and managing department activities as well as assisting our Deptartment Chair in daily tasks. In addition, she will be assuming the role of recruiter for the department. Kristin and her wonderful husband, Jeff have two precious boys, Preston and Noah who are students at Lubbock Christian Schools. Kristin's favorite past times are traveling and playing with her family and catching every available moment possible of her children growing up.
Rhonda Shooter, Administrative Assistant - Rhonda has been assisting our department since November 2007. She is an integral person in the continued success of our faculty, staff, and students and we are blessed to have her join our "family". Rhonda and her husband, Mark, have two daughters, Natalie and Katy. One attends LCU and the other attends TTU. In her spare time, Rhonda enjoys scrapbooking, crafts, and spending time with family and friends.
Alumni Updates
Tradition Continues
Out of the twenty-three MSN graduates to date, 14 are our RN-BSN alumni. Our MSN program currently has 49 students enrolled consisting of 21 more of our RN-BSN alumni.
Julie Lewis (RN/BSN Spring 2007) has been accepted into the Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas to begin in August 2008.
Charlotte Harris (RN/BSN Fall 2005) is close to completing her practicums at TTUHSC for Nurse Practitioner.
Matt Berry (RN/BSN Fall 2006) and his wife are expecting their first child - a girl!
Julie Bell (RN/BSN-August 2004 & MSN-Spring 2007) has successfully passed the National Nursing Administration Certification Exam in Fall 2007.
Isabel Jimenez (Fall 2004) is enjoying her new home that she purchased in December and her dog is enjoying the big backyard. Isabel is looking forward to being an LCU student again this fall in the MSN program.
Kasandra Bearden (Spring 04) and husband welcomed the arrival of Aubrey Callan on June 30th. She weighed 7lbs. and 8 oz.
On March 13th Jennifer Shannon, daughter of Judy Shannon (Fall 2003)was the first person in North Texas to receive an islet cell transplant. We are very happy to report that she is doing very.
Cindy Faz (2002) obtained her MSN form TTUHSC in December of ‘04. She is currently teaching at Covenant School of Nursing.
Tammy Diaz (2002) was recently blessed with a granddaughter, Nevaeh Rose. Her grandson, Jonathan is 16 months old now. Tammy will be returning to LCU for her MSN this fall.
Sue Dossey (2002) is proud to announce that her daughter-in-law just graduated from SPC as a GN and that she was told yesterday that she passed the boards. Sue will be returning to LCU for her MSN this fall.
Carmen Vela (Fall 2004) was recently named Admission Careers Counselor at Covenant School of Nursing. Last month she attended the ANA House of Delegates Meeting in Washington, D.C. She is excited that her daughter, Sara who graduated from Frenship High School in May will be a freshman at LCU this fall.
Tammy Williams (class of 2001) was promoted to Division Director of Patient Care Services at University Medical Center.