MSUM Nursing Learning Community

The Nursing Learning Community D2L site is now up and running! As all currently enrolled nursing students and all nursing faculty have access to this site, this will be a great place to connect, share ideas, find resources, etc. The site is structured much like any course in D2L, with a CONTENT section and a variety of DISCUSSION FORUMS. This includes an Open Forum where students may pose questions, express concerns, and share information that would be of interest to a number of students. We hope you will explore this site and take full advantage of its potential!

If you are interested apply to the RN-BSN Program: http://web.mnstate.edu/nursing/rn_bsn.cfm

MSUM also provides a Graduate in Nursing degree with 2 emphases to choose from. To learn more about graduatee fol nursing and how to apply visit thlowing: http://web.mnstate.edu/nursing/masters.cfm

School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Phone: 218.477.2693
Fax: 218.477.5990
nursing@mnstate.edu

Fighting the Flu

If you haven’t gotten the vaccine for the flu yet it isn’t too late! Flu season has already started and will peak in January and February. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from the flu. Everyone six months or older should get the vaccine.

If you’re afraid of needles there is now a better vaccination option for you. The flu vaccine is offered not only by shot, but also by nasal spray.

Who is at Risk?
There are many different people that have a higher risk of getting the flu. The following people are more susceptible to the flu:
• Children and infants
• Seniors
• People with disabilities
• People with health conditions
• Travelers and other people living abroad

Pregnant women are a higher risk because pregnancy makes changes to a woman’s immune system. Only the flu shot is approved for women, not the nasal spray. Children are at risk because their immune systems have not yet fully developed. People with arthritis, asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or HIV/AIDS have an increased risk and can have serious complications if the flu is contracted. The immune system weakens as you get older, so adults ages 65 and older are more susceptible to getting the flu.

The Development of the Vaccine
There are many different strains of the flu virus that circulate every year. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) laboratories develop new vaccines every year for different strains that could become widespread epidemics.

How Does the Vaccine Work?
The vaccine is used to develop immunity to the flu virus by imitating an infection. This infection is not dangerous, nor does it cause illness. This infection causes your body to develop antibodies. Occasionally after the vaccine is given certain minor symptoms are caused. These symptoms are normal and to be expected.

After the infection is gone, your body’s antibodies will remember how they fought the disease so they are able to do it again in the future. It is important to remember that you can still get the flu if you contract the virus right before or after the vaccine is taken because it takes a few weeks for the body to build up the antibodies that it needs.

You can learn more about the flu at http://www.flu.gov/

National Blood Donor Month

January is National Blood Donor Month. There is normally a short supply of blood in the winter months due to various reasons. January in particular is a difficult month for blood centers to collect blood donations which is why it has been designated as National Blood Donor Month to encourage people to give blood.

Why Should You Give Blood?
Approximately every day there is a need for 39,000 units of blood. People that have been in a serious car accidents can require up to 50 units of blood. Just donating one unit of blood can save three lives! This is because blood can be separated into different components and each of these different components can help three different patients.

A family member or a friend might need blood someday. The need is constant and contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. You’ll feel good about yourself knowing that you made a change in someone’s life!

How to Become a Blood Donor
To donate blood all you need is to be healthy, at least 17 years old, and weigh at least 110 lbs. 16 year olds are also allowed to donate with parental consent in certain states. The first step to donating blood is to find a location near you. You can do this by visiting:
http://www.redcross.org/support/blood-donation.

Spring 2014 Classes

Check out all of the spring 2014 classes offered through the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership. If Any spark your interest sign up fast because the last day to Add/Drop a class in January 17, 2014. Good luck on the new semester!

NURSING COURSES
NURS 301: Transitions
NURS 342: Nursing Care of Diverse Populations
NURS 370: Nursing Research and Practical Evidence-Based Practice
NURS 420L: Gerontological Nursing to Promote Successful Aging
NURS 450: Applied Pathophysiology
NURS 472: Leadership and Professional Development
NURS 473: Professional Pathways
NURS 497: Independent Study
NURS: 604 Advanced Nursing Research
NURS 609: Advanced Pathophysiology: Concepts and Systems
NURS 610: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
NURS 612: Advanced Health/Physical Assessment
NURS 612P: Advanced Health/ Physical Assessment Practicum
NURS 623: Nurse as Educator
NURS 641: Advanced Adult-to-Gerontological Health II
NURS 643P: Advanced Nurse Educator Practicum II
NURS 689: Thesis Seminar
NURS 698: Continuing Registration
NURS 699: Thesis (Plan A)

COMMUNITY HEALTH COURSES
COMH 301: Women’s and Children’s Health
COMH 401: Health Aspects of Aging
COMH 415: Design and Evaluation of Community Health Programs
COMH 490: Topics in Community Health: Internship Practicum Seminar
COMH 638: Health Information Systems

HEALTH SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATION COURSES
HSAD 421: Long Term Care Administration
HSAD 469: Internship
HSAD 490: Topics in Health Services Administration: Internship Practicum Seminar

Healthcare Leadership Organization

Minnesota State University Moorhead offers many ways to get involved on campus, as well as in the community. One of these opportunities is the Healthcare Leadership organization at MSUM. The purpose of the Healthcare Leadership organization is to promote the educational development of skills necessary for effective leadership in health care organizations through the interaction with professionals and strengthened association with peers. This is achieved through volunteering throughout the community as well as participating in activities focused on strengthening leadership skills, such career development workshops.

Nandita Bezbaruah advises the organization which consists mainly of Health Service Administration and Community Health majors, but is open to any student that is interested in healthcare leadership. Last semester the organization was headed by:

President: Dakhwaz Gardi
Vice President: Victoria Edie
Public Relations: Bailey Beauclair
Treasurer: Ashley Gallegos
Secretary: Tabitha Meyer

The organization meets twice a month.  Their meetings consist of a wide range of settings. Last semester the organization participated in several volunteer outings. They helped families pick out groceries at the Dorothy Day Food Pantry and played bingo with residents as River Pointe.  Members of the organization also attended guest speakers pertaining to leadership, as well as participated in workshops to help develop their careers.

This semester’s schedule of activities has not yet been finalized but will include a guest speaker for CCRI and volunteering as Edgewood Vista.  If you would like to learn more about the Healthcare Leadership organization please contact Nandita Bezbaruah, nandita.bezbaruah@mnstate.edu.

Meet Terry Dobmeier!

Terry Dobmeier, a professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead, introduces herself and shares why she got into nursing.