The Beat Goes On . . .
in the Nursing Department
George Fox University Nursing
|
2012-2013
Inside:
From the Director’s Corner p A missionary in Africa p Nursing Scholarships
Students in Ethiopia p Bonjour de la côte d’Ivoire p Faculty news p GFU Clubs
alumni updates p awards
t h e b e a t g o e s o n . . .
From the Director’s Corner
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Greetings from the Department of Nursing at George Fox University.The year 2012 was truly a memorable year as the Department
of Nursing congratulated our fifth graduating class of baccalaureate-prepared nurse. There are now 169 George Fox nursing graduates focusing on the care of individuals, families and communities
across the country.
Another significant achievement this year was the state and
national review of our nursing program by the Oregon State Board
of Nursing (OSBN) and the Commission of Collegiate on Nursing Education (CCNE). The Department of Nursing hosted the
educational consultant from OSBN, and a three-member evaluation team from CCNE. Great effort came together from faculty
and administration to prepare for the evaluation both through
the self-study reports, but also in the demonstration and articulation of how our program is meeting the standards and guidelines
of these accrediting bodies. The good news is that all indications
from the evaluation teams and the preliminary reports were that
our program will be receiving continued full accreditation with all
standards being met. Final notification will come later this spring.
What a privilege to be involved in the education of new
nurses – in a growing program that is built upon a strong liberal
arts foundation and Christian principles. We are so proud of our
students and graduates as they move from novice to skilled professionals. We now have more than 135 GFU nursing graduates who
are sharing their expertise as registered nurses in multiple nursing
specialties across the United States.
Some of the highlights of 2012 included:
p
Admission of 48 students into the nursing major in January 2012 and 2013. There are now 133 students in the program, with another 60 pre-nursing students preparing to apply to the
program.
pOur program’s NCLEX-RN® Pass Rates for the 2010-2012
Two-year Time Period was 98.5%.
pWe welcomed three new full-time faculty members: Tiffany
Caldwell, BSN, RN, who has been an adjunct clinical faculty
for the past four years, has now moved into a full-time position overseeing our clinical lab; Lisa Bingham, MSN, RN, and
Stephanie Fisher, MSN, FNP, RN, have also joined our full-time
faculty. Lisa and Stephanie are co-teaching Medical Surgical
Nursing and are involved in clinical teaching. Stephanie has also
taken over the Pathophysiology and Pharmacology curriculum.
We are very fortunate to have these new team members. Carol
Sherwood, MSN, PMHNP, RN, also has rejoined our faculty for
this year as a part-time visiting professor.
pOur strong team of clinical faculty includes Alana Bailey MSN,
FNP, RN; Hannah Mount BSN, RN; Paul L’Esperance MA,
BSN, RN; Deb Sabin, BSN, RN; Amby Wilfong, BSN, RN;
Wendy Ackley MSN, CNL,
RN; Catherine Fettig, BSN,
RN; Cynthia Rozcicha,
BSN, RN; Jodi Briggs BSN,
RN; and
Roberta LaHue Brown BSN,
RN, who support our students in their varied clinical
experiences.
pRachel Powell joined the Department of Nursing in a newly
created role of clinical coordinator assistant. Rachel is providing
administrative support in the clinical placement of our students.
Faculty transitions:
pDevorah Overbay, MSN, CNS, RN, left the program after six
years of service, as her family has relocated to the Seattle area.
pVal Orton, MSN, CNL, RN relocated to the Seattle area.
Other news:
pOur curriculum pattern has changed for the nursing major,
and as of fall 2013 admission to the nursing major will happen
in the summer. New students will begin in the fall semester,
rather than in spring semester.
pThis past summer, four of our students had the opportunity to
be involved in medical missions. Megan Wuiff, Erin Delany and
Page Prokop joined a group of nursing students from Indiana
Weselyan University and worked with World Gospel Missions in Kenya. Kelly Hood joined a SIM team of students from
Corban University and spent a month in Ethiopia. We hope that
such opportunities continue to be available to our students.
I continue to be appreciative of the opportunity that God has given
me and our nursing faculty team to join in the task of nursing
education and preparing our students for God’s work in the promotion of health and well-being for the body, mind and spirit. We
pray that faculty and students will embrace our program mission,
which reads: George Fox University Department of Nursing prepares
students to enter the profession with a commitment to promoting health
with excellence and integrity, and as imitators of Christ through caring
with compassion and hope.
Thank you for your interest and support of the nursing program at
George Fox University. We appreciate it very much.
Respectfully,
Carla M. Hagen
Director, Department of Nursing
George Fox University
2
t h e b e a t g o e s o n . . .
Nursing Scholarships
The Department of Nursing has benefitted greatly from the
generosity of interested individuals and organizations, who have
chosen to share their funds in the support of nursing education.
With the high cost of college tuition and the rigor of a nursing
education with additional lab and equipment fees, many nursing
students find it challenging to meet the financial costs. We are
thankful that the following individuals have chosen to share with
our nursing students annually in special memorial funds:
Barney-Brown-Probst – Nursing Scholarship
Caroline Engle – Nursing Scholarship
Larry and Joanne Gay – Roy and Maereta Durham Scholarship
Kathleen Sims – Sims Memorial Scholarship
Nursing Department Scholarship Donors: Larry and Joanne Gay
We have been blessed by God and charitable giving has always
been a part of our estate planning. We reached the conclusion that
we would like to see some of the results in our lifetime. George
Fox has always been a part of that plan because Joanne wanted to
repay her debt of gratitude both to her parents and to GFU. Roy
and Maereta Durham were offered employment there and they
left a comfortable life in Idaho to move to Newberg so that her
sister and she could attend college. They both worked for GFU for
many years. Her father was a groundskeeper and mother worked
in the kitchen. After graduation, Joanne attended the University of
Washington in librarianship and spent the next 30-plus years as a
reference librarian. Larry‘s career was in the business area.
Joanne has many memories of her years there, but doubts they
are noteworthy. Professors who did their best to teach sometimesreluctant students were memorable. Joanne especially remembers
Miss McNichols and being able to work in the library. This started
her on the path for her career in librarianship.
When we visited GFU last fall and were deciding where to
direct our funds, we had a tour of the nursing department. Carla
Hagen and her staff impressed us greatly both as individuals and
professionals. The fact that the whole graduating class had passed
their licensing test on the first try was something that we are glad
to share with everyone. The facility is first rate and included modern technology training tools. Larry was impressed by the fact that
at George Fox you can see where your gift is being used.You know
that a specific student received help with their training.You can
talk directly with the decision makers and know that your values
are a part of the decision process.
We live a few miles from Kooskia, Idaho, and have been attending the Friends Church in Woodland. My parents lived in
Woodland when I was born. We are both retired but not lacking in
activities. Larry became involved as a volunteer in the Sagle, Idaho,
fire department. When we moved to this area, he found two fire
departments to work in. He is a member of the board of directors
of the local credit union and a local singing group called Valley
Singers. He is also a driver for the local quick response medical
unit. I am involved with the Big Cedar Homemakers, Valley Garden Club and Friends of the Kooskia Library. This year we spent
hours planting, hoeing, watering and harvesting vegetables from
our way too big garden. We have a dog named Maxwell.
We have confidence that those chosen to receive the scholarships will make a positive impact on those they serve in their chosen field. We realize that it is expensive both in funds and time to
realize the goal of being a nurse. We hope in a small way to enable
some to reach their goal.
3
Nursing at George Fox University
A Missionary in Africa: Christine Stanfield
I am told that as a child whenever I was asked what I wanted to be
when I grew up my answer was “a nurse, a mommy and a teacher.”
Becoming a nurse was always my focus as I went through school
and dreamed of the future.
In preparation for becoming a nurse I studied at George Fox
College from 1976 to 1978. I remember wishing George Fox had
a nursing program so I wouldn’t have to transfer. Transfer I did,
though, and I graduated from the University of Oregon Health
Sciences University School of Nursing in 1981.
I worked a variety of nursing positions in the greater Portland,
Ore., area for several years after graduation. This included several
years at Newberg Community Hospital, where I worked primarily in the medical-surgical department but helped everywhere. I
provided hospital-wide supervision on the evening shift for a few
years. The wide variety of experiences in the various positions I
held were great preparation for becoming a missionary nurse.
My nursing role changed drastically when we moved to Kenya
in 1990. My husband, Jeff, and our 20-month-old daughter moved
to join God in what He was doing through Tenwek Hospital, a
ministry of Africa Gospel Church Kenya and World Gospel Mission. Tenwek Hospital has about 300 beds and averages about
120,000 outpatients with about 13,000 inpatients annually. During our third year there our son was born at Tenwek Hospital. It
was at Tenwek that I was able to “be all I ever wanted to be” as a
child. I was a nurse, a mommy and a teacher.
While at Tenwek I was primarily involved with Tenwek School
of Nursing (TSON). The mission of Tenwek School of Nursing is
to inspire student nurses to become servant leaders by modeling
excellence in compassionate nursing while empowering them to
go and do likewise.
TSON has a three-and-a-half-year training program for Kenyan
student nurses. Graduates earn a diploma in nursing, having
qualified as midwives, general and community health nurses. The
school has a well-earned reputation as one of the best nursing
schools in Kenya and its graduates are the principal source of quality nurses for Tenwek, though graduates are serving in a variety of
settings throughout Kenya and elsewhere.
It was my great joy to be a faculty member and administrator within TSON. I enjoyed 20 years of teaching a wide variety
of courses, including anatomy and physiology. It was great fun to
help the students learn of God’s great creation in the human body.
I often had to get creative to help students grasp concepts that
were unfamiliar to them. For example, in the years before Internet
technology many students did not have personal experience with
a pump of any kind, and it was difficult for them to understand
how the heart works. I was able to work with a local butcher to
get beef hearts, usually with lungs and trachea still attached, for
students to dissect and see just how the blood flowed through the
different valves and chambers. They enjoyed the lesson so much
we kept it a part of the anatomy course even when technology
became available for it all to be demonstrated on computer.
I also had to learn to teach things I was never taught in my own
nurses’ training. This included how to treat snake bites with elec-
tric shock delivered through a small electrical device, how to use
tree branches to make crutches, which bushes were the right type
to use dried branches for toothbrushes, and how to take down a
door to use as a backboard to transport an injured patient. I also
got firsthand knowledge and experience in caring for patients
with malaria and other tropical diseases. I learned so much! And I
always tried to stay at least a couple of hours ahead of my students
in preparation and learning.
God also gave me opportunities to observe nursing in South Su-
4
Nursing at George Fox University
dan. During one visit there I was unexpectedly asked to help with
resuscitation of a newborn, in a small room with no electricity and
no oxygen. Another visiting nurse and I worked on the baby and
prayed over her for a few anxious minutes. God heard our prayers
and those of the mother and the baby survived in good condition.
Whew!
It was a huge blessing to mentor Kenyan nursing faculty as they
worked hard to become excellent teachers and administrators.
Pouring intentional spiritual formation into the students, faculty
and staff brought great rewards as we saw Kenyan students and
nurses helping their own people get connected to Jesus through
their compassionate nursing care, both within the hospital and in
the community. I loved being part of what God was doing through
Tenwek School of Nursing!
Throughout our time in Kenya we returned to the U.S. every
three or four years to spend a year based in Oregon. I was delighted during our time in Oregon in 2008 to receive an invitation
to teach as adjunct faculty for a semester at George Fox University’s Department of Nursing. I thoroughly enjoyed assisting in the
Nursing Fundamentals course as well as being a clinical supervisor.
It was wonderful to see how things were being taught and done in
the U.S. compared to how we were doing them in Kenya. I was
pleased to help out my alma mater and learn at the same time.
In 2009 God spoke to Jeff and I, letting us know we would be
leaving Tenwek in 2011. We began intentionally mentoring others
to carry on our responsibilities. I worked closely to make sure the
information I had learned over the years at TSON didn’t leave in
my head when I left but was well documented to benefit those following me. It was painful to think of leaving the staff and students
I loved at Tenwek, but I was excited to see what God had in store
for us. In 2010, God made it clear he was inviting us to join Him
in Uganda, working with Africa Gospel Church Uganda and World
Gospel Mission.
During our time in the U.S. in 2012 it was fun to volunteer in
the GFU Department of Nursing. I helped students practice what
they were learning in their Health Assessment and Nursing Fundamentals courses. Of course, I loved the interaction with students,
faculty and staff. They were all so kind to let me “hang out” with
them a few hours a week. I was also blessed to help Dr. Hagan
make it possible for GFU students wanting a nursing experience
in Africa get connected with one of my missionary colleagues in
Kenya.
In August 2012 Jeff and I moved to Kampala, Uganda. We are
once again learning how to live in a new country, how to use a
new language and how to interact in a new culture. Our main
focus through the end of 2012 is studying Luganda, one of the
prominent languages in Uganda. I am currently working to memorize the parts of the body, names of common ailments and names
of common treatments in Luganda.
As I started our months of language study I wondered if I
would miss getting to “do nursing” for that length period of time.
However, I have not lacked in requests for nursing consultations! I
have ample opportunity to assess and then advise people on many
issues. In general, quality health care in Uganda is often difficult to
access without a lot of expense.
After completion of language study I will become more
involved in community health work in Uganda. I hope to work
closely with Africa Gospel Church Uganda to train Ugandans in
Community Health Evangelism/Empowerment (CHE), a holistic,
Scripture-based approach to community health and development.
Through CHE, communities are assisted to identify and prioritize
their needs and then to mobilize to become their own change
agents. Implementation of the CHE principles brings change in
communities. Some of the changes include improvement in health,
decrease in infant mortality, increased agricultural productivity,
increased employment, building up the local infrastructure and
churches are strengthened. All of this is accomplished at the initiative of the local people.
I am excited about this new season in my life. I hope that as I
learn more of community health work in Uganda I will be able to
extend that knowledge and experience to nursing students. It is
my dream that I be able to host visiting nursing students from the
U.S., Kenya, and wherever else to benefit communities in Uganda
and benefit the students. I am grateful the George Fox University
Department of Nursing has a similar vision to expand the worldview of their students, professionally and personally, that they
might better serve communities wherever in the world God leads
them. I look forward to continuing to participate with GFU for
our mutual learning and blessing!
– Christine Stanfield
5
Nursing at George Fox University
Nursing Student’s Experience in Ethiopia
This summer, my husband Caleb and I had the privilege of traveling to Ethiopia with a group from the organization Serving in
Missions (SIM). The trip gave us the opportunity to participate
in several missions-oriented activities. We arrived in the capital
city of Addis Ababa on May 8 and spent a few days acclimating and
drinking spectacular coffee. We met missionaries with incredible
stories of God’s protection, and visited a number of interesting
places.
Upon leaving Addis, we traveled to Durame, in Southern Ethiopia. Here we spent two weeks, teaching English at the Ethiopian
Kale Heywet School of Missions, or EKSM. From the moment
we were greeted by the director of EKSM, we were served with
remarkable sincerity. The faculty and students at EKSM are wholly
devoted to the Lord. This was evidenced by their treatment of us
and of one another. They were thrilled to have us come and teach
them and were entirely dedicated in their studies. Outside of class,
one thing made a lasting impression: It is true that our students
did not have the abundance of “things” that we did, and it couldn’t
have mattered less. They lacked nothing, because all they wanted
was to know and serve the Lord. Over the course of two weeks,
we formed a bond with our students that I would not have thought
possible. Leaving was heartbreaking, but we parted with the
knowledge that we will be together in heaven.
After we left Durame, our SIM team split up with another sad
good-bye. Caleb and I then headed to Project Mercy in Yetebon.
Project Mercy is a Christian organization with many different
components, including a hospital, a school and an orphanage.
The goal of Project Mercy is to alleviate poverty and suffering in
Ethiopia by enabling the people to become self-sufficient. While
there, Caleb got to spend time reading to and playing with the
children that attend school on the compound, and I volunteered
at the hospital. I was blessed to be able to shadow an outstanding
nurse. We also had the pleasure of getting to know the founders of
Project Mercy, who are people of incredible faith. When we left
Project Mercy, we headed back to Addis Ababa to spend four days
before departing for home.
One of the most profound parts of the trip for me was volunteering at the Mother Teresa Orphanage in Addis. There, I had the
opportunity to play with kids and help with a meal. The people
working at the orphanage were outstanding, and their task was
daunting with so many children living at the facility. As long as I
live, I will never forget how those children reacted to a few minutes spent giving them special attention and love. I see their faces
in my mind every day. I pray for them and am reminded that God
sees us. I feel tremendously blessed to have met them.
At the beginning of our trip, I struggled a great deal with
homesickness. What got me through the difficult period was the
soul-deep knowledge that God had a specific reason for bringing us to Ethiopia. In addition to that, I can’t count the times that
we received guidance and courage in a way that was resoundingly
him. The irony is that now everything Caleb and I do is colored by
homesickness for Ethiopia. To say the experience was life changing
would be a staggering understatement. The presence of God was
undeniable every step of the way, and he did extraordinary things.
We will never be the same, and for that I am exceedingly grateful.
– Kelly Hood
6
t h e b e a t g o e s o n . . .
Bonjour de la côte d’Ivoire!
bators. Yes, the adults and babies are in the same room.
pFrench is the official language here. People are very gracious and
patient in helping me learn some French. French is what the
students read and speak.
pPeople do so much with so little compared to us. Syringes used
for meds are reused for the same meds for 24 hours. No med
is wasted, but drawn into a syringe to eventually create another
dose. After 24 hours, syringes are cleaned, soaked in a bleach
solution and used for such tasks as deflating catheter balloons.
Sterile towels continue to be used even with holes in parts of
them.
Bonjour de la côte d’Ivoire!
On Sept. 26, 2012, Dr. Kathy Sims (retired George Fox University nursing professor) set off on an adventure where she
was invited to teach in a school of nursing in Ferkessedougou
(Ferke), Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), West Africa. The mission
hospital and clinics were developed more than 50 years ago by
what was then the Conservative Baptist Mission Society. The
organization is now named WorldVenture. A nursing school
classmate has served her entire career there at the hospital, and
although she is now retired she returns several months each
year to serve. The following are some thoughts of Kathy’s since
she has been in Ivory Coast.
pToday is market day. We walked to the entrance of the mission
compound and found a taxi. It cost us 40 cents each to go about
3 km. It beats walking in the searing sun and heat we had today.
pMany young women marry at 15 or 16 years. One woman was
about 23 and had had eight pregnancies already. Several of the
pregnancies had ended with miscarriages or stillbirths.
pWe drove to Torogo just south of Korhogo, about an hour’s drive
from here. People were drying corn, peanuts and peppers on
the shoulders of the road.
pAfrica is teaching me many things. No TV in these parts. We
must use our imaginations to entertain ourselves in our free
time. Reading books, needlework and puzzles are big entertainers here. We also interact with people more than at home.
People visit back and forth in the evenings here. I miss out
when only French is spoken but I am starting to pick up some
words and get the gist of a conversation.
pI arrived in Abijan on Thursday, Sept. 27. The drive across town
was unlike any I have experienced. No lanes marked on many
streets, but people drove at least three abreast. Merging took
place continually and cars, buses, etc. were inches apart on all
sides. Drivers did not let any space develop between their car
and the one ahead or else two or more cars would pop into the
space. We arrived at the mission guesthouse.
pThere are security roadblocks on the highway between Ferke
and Abijan. We go through two of them between here and
Torogo. We are usually just waved through because the security
personnel know the mission people. I have also seen a few UN
trucks with some troops aboard.
pVery warm here. I am drinking lots of water to stay hydrated.
pI am working at the hospital. There is at least one death per day
here. Four of my patients died in two days last week. People
come in with malaria and anemia. Dehydration is usually present with all conditions. People travel many kilometers to get to
this hospital. However, they often wait to come and then there
is little to do except comfort care.
pI am practicing my French with a nursing student and in turn I
help her with her English.
pThe Baptist church is nearby. The service starts at 9 a.m. with a
lot of singing, clapping and dancing. We sing, listen to musical
ensembles, pray several times and announcements for the first
hour and a half. The congregation participates quite freely in
all of this praise. The service lasts for two hours. No one falls
asleep or leaves early to go to a soccer game. There is a prayer
meeting after church that lasts another hour and a half.
pStudents start at 6:30 a.m. and work until 12:30 p.m. They have
lunch then classes in the afternoon.Yes, they do nursing care
plans here also. They must know the medications they are giving
and be able to calculate fluid requirements. They must be able
to calculate how much fluid a baby will receive in 24 hours. It is
not unusual to have babies weighing 1 Kg at birth. When a baby
reaches 2 Kg, they go home.
pThe ICU is a room next to the nurses’ station. Babies, children
and adults share the space that contains four beds and 2-3 incu-
pPrayer: Interviews for new hospital director. Praise: I had 10 bug
bite free days then four bites only in the past five days.
–Servant dans la force et l’amour du Christ. Au revoir!
7
Nursing at George Fox University
Labs are a Vital Part of Education
The nursing department has a very well-equipped nursing skills
lab and simulation room. From the very first day of classes nursing
students are introduced to equipment and a space that imitates a
hospital and clinic environment. The students use the labs to learn
basic skills and system assessments.
Here is an example of a simulation scenario, using our computerized mannequin. Students care for “Doris Bowman” accordingly.
pBefore arriving at “clinical” the students had to research the nursing care
of a postoperative hip replacement patient, including related pathophysiology and pharmacology information.
pUpon arriving at clinical they receive a hand-off report from the nurse
leaving the previous shift.Then the student greets the patient, begins
the appropriate assessments, and care interventions (“Doris Bowman”
responds to questions and her vital signs change as her condition
changes).
pAfter the nursing care session students and faculty debrief the simulation
experience: How they felt during the scenario, what went well, and what
could be improved.
pThe student has the responsibility to report to the oncoming shift of
nurses.
This is an opportunity for the students to gain confidence, practice skills, and develop clinical judgment in a safe environment.
The use of the nursing skills lab is an adjunct to the real world of
professional nursing.
Knitting an Amazing Nurse
As I create this new item, I think about knitting with Auntie Helen
and I am tugged in a spiritual direction. The word imbricate fits. I
did not simply integrate my prior knowledge of knitting with my
new stitch, I meshed together an amazing experience from past to
present in a uniquely stacked fashion.
As I teach nursing students new skills that will be woven into
their professional practice, my prayer is that I can grasp the words
of Downing. I bring forth all that I am: my family history, my faith,
my knowledge, and my experience as a nurse. Hopefully, I can
help students knit a rich, textured identity as a nurse filled with
nursing expertise and Christian spirit.
I was intrigued by the verb “imbricate”
when I encountered it in an essay by
Crystal Downing, “Imbricating Faith
and Learning: The architectonics of
Christian Scholarship” (2004). The
depth of the word imbricate, describing the complex, intricate overlapping
of things like tiles on a roof, seemed
fitting when I was challenged to
review my attempts at integrating my
deeply held faith and love of teaching for a faculty forum entitled
“Integrating Faith and Learning.” As part of the forum I wrote this
personal reflection.
I am a knitter. It’s something I learned from my Auntie Helen.
Knitting became a part of me; the smell of wool, spending long
hours in the guest bedroom with Auntie Helen, the rhythmic
clicking of the needles, the sense of pride creating something
unique, and the love I felt as her student.
I am currently knitting a vest using a new stitch called “knit one
below.” The pattern it creates resembles the scales of a pinecone
and is not the typical back-and-forth rows of yarn used in knitting.
– Darcy Mize
Darcy Mize, MSN, RN, is an assistant professor of nursing at George
Fox University, Newberg, Ore., and a PhD student at Oregon Health and
Science University School of Nursing. She teaches Nursing Fundamentals,
Health Promotion, and coordinates simulated learning experiences for the
Bachelor of Science Nursing program. Her passion is nursing care of the
older adult.
8
t h e b e a t g o e s o n . . .
Nursing Club of GFU
This year we have sought to form more of a community of support
within the nursing program between the various nursing classes.
We all remember how scary it was to be new to nursing school,
and what it felt like to stumble our way through courses, professors and managing our time. Our hope is that the Nursing Club, as
well as a mentorship program we have helped start this year, will
provide the connections necessary to help encourage
one another through the terrain of nursing school with each
changing year.
We plan to have community building events along with the
service projects we have always been known for. This year we have
already had a barbeque and hosted a Red Cross blood drive (where
we received 89 donations!). We also had health screenings and
taught proper hand washing techniques at local schools in November. Future events being planned include a trip to Medical Teams
International’s Real Life Exhibit, an Operation Christmas Child
packing party, and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House.
Another accomplishment this year for the Nursing Club was
being approved as an official ASC Club, which will open doors to
further connections and future growth. Despite the fact that we
have been able to serve our community within and without the
George Fox area, we are excited about the connections that are
being made between nursing students. As nurses, we tend to serve
until we have nothing left to give and forget that we need to care
for ourselves and each other.
The Nursing Club officers are
Megan Wiuff President
Jeanette Edel Vice President
Marissa Chau Secretary
Ana Cowgill Treasurer
Tiffany Caldwell is their advisor.
Welcome New Faculty
The nursing department hired Lisa Bingham as an assistant professor of nursing.
For the past year,
she has worked as
an adjunct clinical instructor at
George Fox while
also serving as an
adjunct professor
in the nursing department’s health
assessment course. Also, since 2004, she
has worked as a staff nurse for home health
care for Providence Health and Services
in Newberg. Before that, she spent five
years as a medical-surgical registered nurse
at Providence. Lisa earned a bachelor’s
degree in nursing from Oregon Health and
Science University in LaGrande, Ore., in
1997, and recently completed a masters in
nursing through Sacred Heart University
in Fairfield, Conn. (2012). She has worked
in the nursing profession since 1997. Lisa
lives in Newberg with husband Aaron and
children Abigail (10), Jacob (9) and Elijah
(6). The family attends Trinity Presbyterian
Church in Newberg.
George Fox alumna Stephanie Fisher
joined the nursing department last fall to
serve as an assistant professor of nursing. For the past three and a half years
she has worked as an advanced registered
nurse practitioner for the Steck Medical
Clinic in Chehalis, Wash. Prior to that, she
volunteered in hospital settings and was
employed as a central supply technician at
Providence Medical Center in Newberg
in 2005-06. Stephanie earned a Master of
Science in Nursing degree with the family
nurse practitioner specialty from Vanderbilt
University School of Nursing in 2008 and
holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from
George Fox (2006). She recently moved
back to Newberg and is currently looking
for a church home in the area.
Stephanie Fisher
Carol Sherwood
9
Carol Sherwood returns to the nursing
department as an assistant professor of
nursing on a one-year contract, teaching
half time. She taught previously at George
Fox for two years before retiring in 2008
and teaching on an adjunct basis. In the 12
years before coming to George Fox, she
was a clinical and classroom instructor in
McClennan Community College’s (Waco,
Texas) nursing program, specializing in
psychiatric and neurology courses. She also
taught nursing as an assistant professor at
Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester,
N.Y., (1996-2000), and held the same title
at Simmons College of Boston (199196). She has worked as a nurse or nursing instructor since 1975. Carol earned a
post-masters degree in 2000 through the
University of Rochester, an MSN from the
University of Texas at Austin (1978), and a
BSN from Villanova University (1975). She
lives in Newberg with husband David, who
also taught at George Fox. They have two
sons: Steve, a religious studies professor at
George Fox, and Jonathan, who lives in the
Boston area and is a national AIDS housing
consultant.
Nursing at George Fox University
Meet Stephanie Fisher
Stephanie Fisher, MSN, FNP, RN
In January 2012, Stephanie Fisher arrived at her alma mater,
George Fox University, as an adjunct faculty in Nursing Fundamentals Practicum. And by August she was a member of the full
time nursing faculty, co-teaching Medical-Surgical Nursing I, one
clinical of Medical-Surgical Nursing I and Pharmacology in fall
semester and Medical-Surgical Nursing II, one clinical of MedicalSurgical-Nursing II and Pathophysiology in spring semester.
Stephanie originally entered college as a pre-med student, 100
percent convinced that she was going to medical school. However,
she decided at age 21 that she wanted to be a nurse practitioner
instead of a medical doctor. This was largely influenced by her
college professors who helped her analyze her motives for why she
wanted to go into healthcare. Stephanie knew she wanted to help
people and had not realized how many great opportunities there
are as a nurse. She has never once regretted that decision to go to
nursing school instead of medical school. As she worked as a family nurse practitioner, she realized that my favorite part of the job
was giving patient education, and she began to wonder if teaching
may be in my future.
After graduating from George Fox University with a bachelor’s
degree in biology, Stephanie attended Vanderbilt University and
earned a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
degree. She worked for several years as an Advanced Registered
Nurse Practitioner in a primary care office and urgent care clinic
in Chehalis, Wash., and then her desire to teach nursing began to
increase so she reached out to George Fox.
10
When asked why she wanted to go into nursing education
Stephanie states, “I love to see students grow and gain confidence
as nurses. It is immensely fulfilling to witness the transformation
that comes when students have the ‘Aha!’ moments of grasping a
new concept and making connections. It has been very rewarding to see students begin to view themselves as nurses. The main
challenge for me has been to remain in the RN mindset and not
to switch into the nurse practitioner paradigm too much. I was
thrilled to return to my alma mater and be able to help our program continue to grow and develop. It is fascinating to experience
the intentionality and thoroughness that continues to be poured
into this program and curriculum. I love having the ability to teach
nursing students in a Christ-centered environment.”
The profession of nursing is continually changing and within
the past decade Stephanie has seen “nursing education transition
towards better consistency and increasing respectability within
academia. As the profession continues to clarify the roles of nurses
and the scope of practice within different licensure, education is
migrating towards more advanced degrees. The addition of the
Doctorate of Nursing Practice is continuing to gain acceptance and
it will be interesting to watch how this new degree may change
the nursing field in the future.”
Stephanie grew up in Yakima, Wash., with her parents and sister.
Besides being a nurse educator she is a musician, playing the harp,
trumpet, euphonium and handbells, in addition to singing and
composing. She performs with the Newberg Community Band
and Newberg Friends Church Handbell Ensemble. Stephanie is
also an avid cyclist, planning to ride again in the STP bike ride this
upcoming summer.
When asked if there is a Bible verse(s) that has meant a lot
to her, Stephanie claims Colossians 3:15-17 has been an anchor
for her since she started college because it summarizes where
she wants her focus to be: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you
teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts
to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all
in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.”
As Stephanie has started her nursing education career she still
has goals she wants to reach in the next decade: 1) my PhD in
nursing education and to continue this great combination of teaching as well as working as a Family Nurse Practitioner; 2) I hope I
can attend or lead several short-term medical mission trips to help
nursing students have a more accurate picture of what medical
missions actually entails; 3) I may also look into certification as
a music therapist so I can combine my interests in medicine and
music. We will see where the Lord leads.
t h e b e a t g o e s o n . . .
Summer in Kenya
Jambo (Hello)!
Our trip consisted of two weeks of zipping between orphanages, clinics, hospitals, special needs schools and homes. We got to
spend two days at Tenwek Hospital, which was started by a missionary nurse more than 75 years ago. We were even able to join
in the celebration of its anniversary, which included a community
health fair. Not only did we get to spend time with another group
of nursing students from Indiana Wesleyan University, but we also
got to tour the school of nursing at Tenwek and meet some of its
students. Students are allowed to do so much in the hospital, and
they are all triple certified in midwifery, community health, and
general practice by the time they graduate. What a blessing it was
to meet these brothers and sisters across the world who are studying with the same passion as us!
We spent time at two rescue centers for children, one a small
infant rescue center called Mahali Pa Maisha run out of a missionary couple’s home. The other was Africa Gospel Church (AGC)
Baby Centre, which had more than 70 abandoned or orphaned
children while we were there. The one word that I continually
am reminded of when I think about Kenya is “redemption.” I have
never experienced or seen manifested God’s redemption than
when I was in Kenya. We heard many stories, saw many health
disparities that you would not see in the states, but none of these
touched my heart as much as holding these children and feeling
God’s heart break for them.
The most recent baby at the AGC Baby Centre was found in the
bottom of a pit latrine, and was still healing from maggot bites.
Some are found on top of garbage heaps, some dropped off at the
gate. Psalm 113:7-8 says, “He raises the poor from the dust and
lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with
the princes of his people.” It was hard to conceive how the sweet,
precious baby I was holding was found on a heap of human feces.
And yet, somehow, God orchestrated so beautifully its safe passage from a place of abandonment to a place of safety and hope.
God is in the business of redeeming the unwanted, the dirty, and
the unseen. His greatest desire is to make them his princes and
princesses, and that’s what I got to see happen. Redemption, from
whatever pit we find ourselves in.
– Megan Wiuff (Class 2013)
Daisy Award Winner
Family’s comments
pThank you for all you do for everyone! Thank you for always
Lacey Weishaar RN
Labor & Delivery Nurse
Salem Health
Salem, OR
greeting with cheerful words and a bright smile.You are very
appreciated! You participated in the baby game even with all your
experience. Thanks for making the birth of my niece’s son one
that everyone enjoyed. She was very lucky to have you working
with her on such a special day.You bring your heart to warm other
hearts.You shared one of the most important days of my niece’s
life with her. Thank you! (Your baby is going to be 6 pounds, 11
ounces and 19 inches long).
Lacey (McGuire) Weishaar, (GFU nursing graduate of 2008)
pThank you for playing and teaching me.You smiled. Thank you for
is a welcome addition to our team. She has recently come to us
being there for my mommy. I’m a big sister now. My mom worked
from the critical care float team. Lacey has high expectations for
hard having my brother. Thanks for everything! (Your baby will be
herself and she is continually working on improving her obstetricute!)
cal knowledge. Lacey comes to work energized (even though her
pregnancy at times can make this difficult) and is always on track
pThanks for working so well with my niece.You were very attentive
to ensure her patient’s experience is amazing. Lacey applies her
and ensured she was comfortable.You made sure you explained
expertise to make sure both mom and baby are safe, yet she is
everything and encouraged the 4 ¾ year old big sister to be infunny and warm to everyone she comes into contact with. Now
volved.
with that being said I would like to include some Kudos that Lacey
pThanks for your kind words and bright smile while working with
got from a patient’s family. I believe this letter describes the many
my niece. She is playful and silly – you were too!
ways Lacey connects with not only her patient but each member
of their family. Even better it appears they never noticed all the
(obtained from www.daisyaward.org)
technical skills she is using to continually assess her patient’s well
11
being.
Nursing at George Fox University
The Value of Accreditation
George Fox University nursing program values the importance of
accreditation. The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable
levels of quality. Accrediting agencies, which are private educational associations of regional or national scope, develop evaluation criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether or not
those criteria are met.
As mandated by the State of Oregon, George Fox University
sought pre-approval from the Oregon State Board of Nursing to
begin a pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing program in 2005. Subsequently in 2008 eligibility for approval occurred after the graduation of the first class of students. The Department of Nursing was
evaluated by the Oregon State Board of Nursing and received a
five-year approval with official recognition that the nursing program met the uniform and reasonable standards.
George Fox University also sought accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2008 and
received a five-year accreditation approval.
The CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. The Commission
12
12
ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and
residency programs in nursing. Accreditation by CCNE is intended
to accomplish at least five general purposes:
p1. To hold nursing programs accountable to the com-
munity of interest – the nursing profession, consumers, employers, higher education, students and
their families, nurse residents – and to one another
by ensuring that these programs have mission statements, goals, and outcomes that are appropriate to
prepare individuals to fulfill their expected roles.
p2. To evaluate the success of a nursing program in
achieving its mission, goals, and expected outcomes.
p3. To assess the extent to which a nursing program
meets accreditation standards.
p4. To inform the public of the purposes and values of
accreditation and to identify nursing programs that
meet accreditation standards.
p5. To foster continuing improvement in nursing programs – and, thereby, in professional practice.
t h e b e a t g o e s o n . . .
This past Oct. 22-24, 2012, the Department of Nursing hosted a three-member
evaluation team from CCNE, as well
as the nurse education consultant from
the OSBN to review our program. This
included thorough self-study reports
and documentation that addressed all of
the Standards of Accreditation for both
accrediting bodies, as well as on-site
interviews with administrators, faculty,
students, and our clinical partners and
community of interest. Though months
of preparation had occurred before the
on-site evaluation, there was a level of
apprehension as to whether our program
was meeting the standards in a way that
exhibits program compliance and quality. The evaluation though
comprehensive was very positive and helped faculty and students
understand how critical standards and an educational framework
are for the preparation of baccalaureate nurses to be prepared to
practice with patients including individuals, families, communities,
and populations across the lifespan and the
continuum of healthcare environments.
The Department of Nursing is still
waiting for official notification from both
the OSBN and CCNE, however, the final
exit report that we received at the end
of the on-site visit was very positive, assuring our program that both our OSBN
approval and CCNE accreditation would
be granted. The CCNE Board of Commissioners meet in Spring 2013, so our
hope is that at that time our program
will receive the maximum accreditation
period of 10 years.
George Fox University, Department of
Nursing truly values and is committed to
maintaining an accredited nursing program whereby our mission
of “preparing students to enter the profession with a commitment
to promoting health with excellence and integrity, and as imitators
of Christ through caring with compassion and hope” can be met.
t h e b e a t g o e s o n . . .
Alumni Updates
Jessica Baker (2012) –Village Manor,
Portland, Ore.
Alison Bennett (2009) – Community
Development Coordinator at Northwest
University, Kirkland,Wash.
Cassie (Lawrence) Benson (2008) –
Providence St.Vincent Medical Center (Labor &
Delivery), Portland, Ore.
Heidi (Bail) Brown (2010) – Providence
Portland Medical Center, Portland, Ore.
Courtney Cardoza (2011) – UCLA Medical
Center (NICU), Los Angeles, Calif.
Nikki (Finch) Monaco (2009) – Providence
St.Vincent’s, Postpartum, Portland, Ore.
Alicia Fleetwood (2012) – Silverton
Hospital, Silverton, Ore.
Timothy Fouch (2012) – Duke University
Medical Center, Durham, N.C.
Katie Ganger (2011) –Tillamook County
Public Health Department,Tillamook, Ore.
Joelle Gardner (2012) – St. Luke’s Hospital,
Med/Surg, Aberdeen, S.D.
Matthew Getsinger (2012) –Willamette
Valley Medical Center, McMinnville, Ore.
Reyes Guterriz (2010) – Salem Hospital,
Salem, Ore.
Kristen Hook (2012) – OHSU, Emergency
Surgery, Portland, Ore.
Jocelyn Harder (2008) – Kaizer Permanente,
Hawaii.
Sheryll (Susi) Hodson – Oregon State
Hospital, Mental Health, Salem, Ore.
Kayla Hoyt (2012) – Salmon Creek Medical
Center,Vancouver,Wash.
Brandi Jasmin (2012) – Columbia Memorial
Hospital, Med/Surg – Astoria, Ore.
Krystal Kyniston (2008) – Memorial
Hermann Hospital, Houston,Texas
Molly (Pizano) Larson (2010) – Salem
Hospital, Labor & Delivery, Salem, Ore.
Jonelle (Fodge) Liddell (2011) – Providence
Medical Center, Long Term Care, Kodiak, Alaska
Brittany (Speed) Maerlzluft (2012) – Trinity
Hospital, Minot, N.D.
Amy (Turner) Malinauskas (2009) –
Kootenai Medical Center, Pediatrics/MotherBaby, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Gretchen Milligan (2012) – Marian Regional
Medical Center, Santa Maria, Calif.
Amanda Monk (2010) – Salem Hospital,
Psychiatric Medicine Center, Salem, Ore.
Brittany Monson (2012) – Legacy Emanuel,
Portland, Ore.
Corbin Newkirk (2011) – Carilion Clinic
Memorial Hospital, Float Pool, Roanoke,Va.
Danielle (Morford) Newkirk (2009) –
Carilion Clinic Memorial Hospital, Roanoke,Va.
Ahna Proctor (2009) – Legacy Good
Samaritan, Portland, Ore.
Jennifer Pust (2010) – Mercy Medical Center,
Roseburg, Ore.
Hannah Radtke (2008) – Silverton Hospital,
PACU, Silverton, Ore.
Audrey (Dove) Rogness (2012) – Silverton
Hospital, Silverton, Ore.
Anna Ruef (2011) – SouthwestWashington
Medical Center,Vancouver,Wash.
Krystal Scott (2010) – OHSU – ICU
Stepdown, Portland, Ore.
Sondra Shuttleworth (2012) – MidColumbia Medical Center,The Dalles, Ore.
Samantha Simmons (2012) – Silverton
Hospital, Silverton, Ore.
Rainie (Gordon) Strawn (2008) – Pain
Management Clinic, Manhattan, Kan.
Kristiina Thomas (2009) – Salem Hospital,
Neuro Trauma Care Unit, Salem, Ore.
Jacob Trachsel (2012) – Providence St.
Vincent, Portland, Ore.
Margaret (Gadler) Tripp (2010) –
PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center,
Vancouver,Wash.
Ciera Vaughn (2010) – Silverton Hospital,
PACU, Endoscopy, Short Stay, Silverton, Ore.
Jennifer Weber (2011) – SnoqualmieValley
Hospital, Snoqualmie,Wash.
Sheleen Wytcherley (2011) – Chiang Mai
International School, Health Officer,Thailand,
Providence Newberg Hospital
Marriages
Births
Kaylee Scholz (2010) married Benjamin Corrado in March 2012
Cassie (Lawrence) Benson (2008), husband David and
Cassandra Woods (2008) married Brice Peters in August 2012
big brother Jonah welcomed Isla Jean in October 2012
Jessica Chaney (2009) welcomed Marcus James into her
family in June 2012
Katie Meyer (2008) welcomed Bailey into her family in
October 2012
Trista (Buxton) Minnema (2011) welcomed Charity Rose
into her family in October 2012
Charles Robinson (2011) welcomed Levi into his family in
November 2012
Eve Woodland (2009) welcomed Isabella Grace into her
family in September 2012
Graduate School
Marie Palm (2010) is attendingWestern Seminary: Master of Arts
in Ministry and Leadership, with emphasis in youth ministry
Kyle Rodgers (2009) started clinical phase of the Nurse
Anesthesia program at Loma Linda University
Lisa Riesterer (2008) is in the OHSU Family Nurse Practitioner
graduate program, Portland, Ore.
Megan (Brown) Moore (2009) has started PhD audiology
program at Pacific University
14
Nursing at George Fox University
Scholarships and Award Recipients
Nursing Department Award Recipients
Director’s Award
Caring Award
Honor Award
Jodi Briggs – 2008 Emily Christenson – 2008 Dana Sprunger – 2009 Alison Bennett – 2009 Hanna Thomas – 2010 Marcie Sternberg – 2010 Rachel Knower – 2011
Charles Robinson – 2011
Matthew Getsinger – 2012
Alicia Fleetwood – 2012
Shaunna Neary – 2012
Jacob Trachsel – 2012
Lacey Brounstein – 2008
Amy Landes – 2009
Jessie Sarver – 2010
Marie Palm – 2010
Molly Johnston – 2010
Rachel Knower – 2011
Crystal Enos – 2012
Jillian Golder – 2012
Golden Lamp Award
Transcultural Nursing Award
Clinical Excellence Award
Hannah Bielenberg – 2008
Kristiina Thomas – 2009
Jessie Sarver – 2010
Terah Pugh – 2011
Shaunna Neary – 2012
Pinar Pakkan-Ince – 2008 Amy Turner – 2009
Lauren Silva – 2009
Katie Fugate – 2010 Amy Steinert – 2011
Joelle Gardner – 2012
Nazezhda Goldashkin – 2012
Michael Shinneman – 2008 Jodi Briggs – 2008
Erica Matthews – 2009
Torena Cole – 2010 Rachel Knower – 2011
Audrey Dove – 2012
Samantha Simmons – 2012
Outstanding Colleague Award
Outstanding Senior Student – GFU
Good Samaritan Award
Michael Shinneman – 2008 Amy Landes – 2009 Jessie Sarver – 2010
Charles Robinson – 2011
Sheleen Wytcherley – 2011
Matthew Getsinger – 2012
Shaunna Neary – 2012
Elysa Aho – 2008
Kathryn Meyer – 2008
Jodi Nakahara – 2009
Eve Woodland – 2009
Kate Spencer – 2010
Ciera Vaughn – 2010
Terah Pugh – 2011
Amanda Shaw – 2011
Wendy Kuryluk – 2012
Sondra Shuttleworth – 2012
Marie Ruef – 2011
Melissa Leighty – 2011
15
414 N Meridian St #6273, Newberg OR 97132 | Phone: 503-554-2950
Fax: 503-554-3900 | www.nursing.georgefox.edu
836 2.13
Department of Nursing