Nursing Students Part of Historical Moment for University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Inaugural cohort of MSN students graduate at December commencement ceremony for University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
SAN MARCOS, Calif., Dec. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On December 14 the inaugural cohort of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program graduated from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS). Seven graduates from the cohort attended the USAHS December Commencement ceremony in San Marcos, California; among the graduating class was Subash Adhikari (Oklahoma City, OK), Stephanie Carpenter (Charlottesville, VA), Donielle Ferriman (Carlsbad, CA), Deborah Lewis (Moreno Valley, CA), Patrick Mayorga (Carlsbad, CA), Allyson Roeda (Lubbock, TX) and Valera Wahlers (Carlsbad, CA).
The MSN at University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is an online program, giving students the choice of four nurse specializations that offer optional campus-based experiences and provides students access to nursing faculty members who are nurse leaders in practice and education. The program gives students 24/7 access to online courses and learning resources, providing the flexibility to fit within the busy schedule working nurses must manage. The eight students in the first MSN cohort attended class from throughout the U.S.
At a special dinner held the evening prior to the commencement ceremony, MSN graduates and their guests were invited to a celebratory dinner with USAHS leaders in honor of the historical moment for the university. Dr. Melanie Logue, Senior Family Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator, raised a toast to the graduates.
"As our very first graduates of the MSN program, you have paved the way for future students and I thank you for your continued involvement with the university. I am very proud to be here with all of you," Dr. Logue said.
Graduates talked about their excitement and their futures in the profession. They also discussed their gratefulness for the USAHS program, its dedication to their success and their satisfaction about the recent Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation the MSN program received.
"I feel excited for the future and thankful for this rewarding experience" nursing informaticist graduate Patrick Mayorga said. "It's important because informatics touches every part of healthcare, so we're striving to improve healthcare in every aspect."
Stephanie Carpenter has been a registered nurse for 20 years working in various specialties including medical/surgical nursing, oncology, pediatrics, neurosurgery, neuro critical care, obstetrics, and paraesthesia. She currently works in outpatient surgery at Augusta Health in Mount Crawford, Virginia. Carpenter looks to change her career path with her MSN, Nursing Educator focus from direct patient care to teaching future nurses.
Marni Farr is an experienced nurse skilled in emergency nursing at a Level-1 adult and pediatric trauma center, progressive care unit, telemetry, healthcare and healthcare management. Although she was unable to attend the ceremony, Farr completed her MSN, Nurse Executive focus.
Donielle Ferriman is a Certified Clinical Documentation and Certification Registered Nurse who has a history of working in the higher education industry. She is a strong administrative professional graduating with an MSN, Nurse Executive focus.
Subash Adhikari has more than five years of nursing experience and currently works at Oklahoma University Medicine, Inc. He has specialty experience in intermediate care, medical/surgical nursing and geriatric psychiatric nursing, and pursued his MSN, Nurse Informaticist focus to blend his information technology knowledge in nursing.
"I am feeling great. I'm glad even with all of the ups and downs of being the first cohort that we graduated today, and I'd like to thank USAHS for the opportunity to be in the program," Adhikari said. "It's been a wonderful journey."
Patrick Mayorga has 14 years of Case Management experience in hospitals, medical centers and health organizations in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas. He graduated from USAHS with an MSN, Nurse Informaticist focus.
Deborah Lewis has 18 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in the Riverside, California area. She began as a Respiratory Care Practitioner for seven years in Los Angeles. Lewis also volunteers in the Riverside community as a mentor for children, a gardener and takes shelter animals on pet therapy visits to schools and hospitals.
"It just feels surreal that we did it as the inaugural class and we're done," Lewis said.
Allyson Roeda is an experienced Registered Nurse skilled in Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), medical/surgical nursing and orthopedics. She is neonatal resuscitation and basic life support certified and skilled as a midwife assistant. Roeda graduated with an MSN, Nurse Educator focus and is keeping her options open in her future as a nurse. She wants to return to the bedside as she feels she still has a lot to learn but has an interest in midwifery.
Valerie Wahlers has experience as an RN Case Manager and recently started as an RN Care Manager at Scripps Health in Encinitas, California. She received her MSN, Nurse Executive focus.
"USAHS is proud to present this initial cohort of diverse, passionate MSN graduates. They set great examples for this program and are poised for success in their perspective futures as nursing professionals," Dr. Logue said.
"Congratulations to our first Master of Science in Nursing graduates," USAHS Director for Nursing Programs Dr. Robin Dennison said. "These students are exemplary of the nursing students at USAHS. I look forward to hearing about their impact on our healthcare system as they implement their roles of nurse executive, nurse informaticist, or nurse educator."
About University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is a graduate institution that offers degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, education and health science, as well as continuing education programs. Founded in 1979, USAHS educates students through its network of campuses in San Marcos, California; St. Augustine and Miami in Florida; and Dallas and Austin in Texas. USAHS is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). For more information: http://www.usa.edu.
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
SOURCE University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
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