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Dragon Welcome Week

Fall classes begin Monday, August 25th! Before hitting the books, have some fun at this weekend’s Dragon events:

August 22^nd

• Volleyball Tournament (10:00-1:00pm, Dahl Volleyball Courts)
• Discover Downtown Fargo with MAT Bus (11:00-5:00pm, meet at the Welcome Tent)
• Wellness Center Welcoming (1:00-3:00pm, Wellness Center)
• Dragons After Dark (9:00-12:00am, Comstock Memorial Union)

August 23^rd

• Sidewalk Café (11:00-2:00pm, outside residence halls)
• Island Park Art & Craft Show (10:00-5:00pm, Island Park – Downtown Fargo)
• Campus Capers (7:00-9:00pm, Hansen Theatre)
• Movie – TBD (9:00-12:00am, Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse)

August 24^th

• Fraternity Tailgate (12:00-3:00pm, Dahl Volleyball Courts)
• Streets Alive (12:00-5:00pm, F/M Community)
• FM RedHawks Game (12:00-6:00pm, meet at the Welcome Tent)
• LGBTQIA Social (2:00-4:00pm, Comstock Memorial Union 227)
• Sorority Tea (3:00-4:00pm, Comstock Memorial Union 101)
• Residence Hall Floor Meeting (7:00-9:00pm, your residence hall)

All times, events, and locations are subject to change.

World Humanitarian Day – August 19th, 2014

August 19th, 2014 is World Humanitarian Day!

This day was appointed by the General Assembly to correspond with the 2003 anniversary of the United Nations headquarters bombing in Baghdad, Iraq, when 22 aid workers were killed. This year’s theme, “The World Needs More…,” emphasizes the importance of turning words into aid and commemorates those who died engaging in humanitarian service.

Take this day to reflect and acknowledge those that assist others in the face of adversity, as well as celebrate humanity’s spirit and efforts around the world.

“Humanitarian workers and their families are hit hardest by these crimes. But they are also felt by millions of others. [..] Let us honour the fallen by protecting those who carry on their work – and supporting humanitarian relief operations worldwide.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Get involved and learn more here: http://www.worldhumanitarianday.org
Tweet your support: #HumanitarianHeroes

Sources:
http://www.un.org/en/events/humanitarianday
http://www.worldhumanitarianday.org

Orientation Approaches for New RNB Students

The School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership’s RN-BSN orientation is coming up on Monday, August 18th and Monday, August 25th! New RNB students will meet for orientation from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Radisson in Roseville (August 18th) and at MSUM (August 25th).

On these days, students will take an important first step toward success in the program. They will meet with faculty and administrative staff and learn more about the first course they will be taking, Nursing 301 Transitions. Students will also receive tips on using the MSUM library databases and how to succeed as distance learners. A representative from the Admissions office will be there to assist with accessing and using the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) to monitor students’ progress. There will also be a brief orientation to the online management system, Desire 2 Learn (D2L). Finally, students will meet with their academic advisors.
Before orientation, students should complete the following requirements:

• Visit the following website to learn how to access the wireless network when on campus. You will need your Dragon ID number to access this system: http://www.mnstate.edu/instructional-technology
• Upload your clinical documentation to the Nursing Student Records Database by August 22nd, 2014: http://msumapps.mnstate.edu/nursing/nursing_student_management/student

 

In addition to learning the ins-and-outs of online learning at orientation, students will also have the change to meet face-to-face with other students they will be working and learning with. SNHL faculty look forward to meeting you on this day!

If you have any questions concerning orientation, please contact your advisor or the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership:
(218) 477-2693
snhlsa@mnstate.edu

Graduate Nursing Orientation Approaches

August 20th, 2014 is graduate nursing orientation day! From 7:00 – 10:00 pm, new Fall 2014 graduate students will meet online with Dr. Tracy Wright, our Graduate Nursing Coordinator. During this meeting, students will become acquainted with upcoming studies and program requirements. Students who are not new to the program but would like a refresher are also welcome to attend, as are Spring and Summer admits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before orientation, students should complete the following tasks to ensure they are ready for class and prepared for an online curriculum:

• Review the Wimba Information
  • We use a synchronous Internet meeting space called Wimba. Please orient yourself with this system by reviewing the following participant guide and FAQ:
    http://appserv.mnstate.edu/instrtech/its/main.php?id=1&menu=1&show=onlineClass&page=Wimba&get=tut5&nav=WimNav
• Run the Wimba Set up Wizard
  • http://netclass.mnstate.edu/
• Review Library Information and the helpful links to the right of the webpage
  • http://web.mnstate.edu/library/distance.com

• Attend the optional Wimba Practice Session
  • August 18th, 2014, anytime between 7:00 and 8:00 pm
  • This is for you to test out your system and accessing Wimba prior to the actual orientation session

• Review Computer Requirements
  • The computer requirements are outlined in the Graduate Program Handbook found at http://www.mnstate.edu/uploadedFiles/Level_2/Content/Academics/Graduate_Studies/Nursing/Graduate-Handbook.pdf
  • Please review your software and hardware now to make any necessary changes so that you will be ready when classes start. The MSUM Instructional Technology department offers assistance for students to be successful with on-line learning. Please take their assessment to see if you are ready for online: http://appserv.mnstate.edu/distanceed/QuizFiles/ReadyForELearnQuiz.html
    You will also find the Distance Education Handbook full of great ideas and guidance to increase your success: http://appserv.mnstate.edu/distanceed/main.php?id=1
• Assure that your MSUM email account is set up and accessible
  • It will be important for you to obtain an e-mail account with MSUM to receive official e-mails during your time as a student. Go to the MSUM home page, choose ‘e-mail’ from the top navigation bar, and then choose ‘Create Account.’ You will need your dragon ID (included in your admission letter from the Graduate Department) and your birthdate OR social security number. We use the ‘mnstate’ e-mail for official notifications and communication (including bills), so this is very important.
• Order your Textbooks
  • http://bookstore.mnstate.edu
• Register for Courses
  • Refer to the nursing admission letter sent via email from Tracy Wright
• Library Cards
  • Take a picture of yourself (see requirements on website below)
  • Go to the Dragon Card request/upload picture application at https://msumapps.mnstate.edu/dragoncard/
    • Login with the dragon id/pin (e-services credentials)
    • Upload the picture matching requirements and submit
    • The card will be printed within 3 business days and then mailed to the student at their address on file (make sure your address on file with the admissions office is correct)
    • By the time the card is received by the distance learner, the card will be activated in their library account
    • If you have any questions, please contact Christy Boyer, Circulation Department, Livingston Lord Library, 218-477-2354, boyer@mnstate.edu
• Review the most recent Graduate Nursing Handbook
  • (http://www.mnstate.edu/graduate-nursing/studentresources/ –> “Graduate Nursing Handbook” tab on the bottom of the page). We will review it at the orientation meeting. Please note that the handbook is updated each Fall semester and may be updated more frequently.
• We use a learning platform called Desire to Learn (D2L) in all the MS courses. Please orient yourself with this system by going to the following website and clicking on each of the tabs (content, assessment, communication, online learning FAQ)
  • Review the following D2L Tutorial sites:
    http://web.mnstate.edu/instrtech/D2LNew/login/firsttimeuser.html
  • Log in to D2L at https://mnstate.ims.mnscu.edu
  • ~7-10 days prior to the first day of class on August 25th, please log in to D2L and familiarize yourself with the system. Note that you will not be able to get into D2L until 24 hours after you have successfully registered for a course. Even after you register, the class lists will not be loaded to D2L (and therefore accessible) until 1-2 weeks before the semester starts.

Please complete these tasks prior to orientation, as they will provide you with valuable information and orient you to the online style of learning delivered by the graduate program. Questions may be directed to the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership or to Dr. Tracy Wright:

• wrighttr@mnstate.edu
• nursing@mnstate.edu
• 218-477-2693

MSUM Public Health Nursing Course Provides Communities with Important Benefits

Students from the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership at MSUM are not only impacting communities across seas and engaging in cross-state health agencies and public health entities, but they are also providing important benefits for communities in Minnesota.

While enrolled in MSUM’s Public Health course, students developed and executed a diverse array of projects. Rebecca Rudel, Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership at MSUM, brings us these students’ stories:

• One group of students developed a Teaching Project that addressed childhood obesity issues with 3rd graders in rural Minnesota. Childhood obesity has become an alarming issue; obesity in children “has more than doubled… in the past 30 years” (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2014) and continues to affect a large portion of the population. This project established physical activity breaks directly in the children’s home classrooms that required just 10-15 minutes of exercise a day.
• Another group of Public Health students inspired a successful grant proposal and worked to situate an open enrollment after-school program in a rural Minnesota school. This program is scheduled to launch in fall, 2014. Part of this program is aimed at investigating nutrition and exercise education.
• A team of students worked within their county to launch a full-scale emergency preparedness drill in a Southwest Minnesota community, effectively increasing the public’s ability to respond to emergencies.
• A BSN student made an impact in the adult public housing arena in the twin cities metro area. She delivered a teaching plan about healthy food and drink choices and even inspired the re-vamping of vending machine choices in a high-rise housing environment.

The School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership could not be more proud of its Public Health Nursing students! They exemplify the missions and goals of our program while proving to be invaluable assets to communities far and wide. We foresee more accomplishments like these in the upcoming school year and for years to come.

MSUM NURS 473 – Professional Pathways – Having Great Impact on Students and Communities Across the Globe!

Spring 2014 was the first time that the new nursing curriculum course NURS 473: Professional Pathways was delivered and the impact was ASTOUNDING! Students, faculty, and communities around the globe are finding the new curriculum outstanding. The move to the new curriculum reduced clinical hours from 120 to 60 and altered the focus of the coursework to be more on professional development and leadership projects rather than simply clinical hours. The connections students are able to make throughout their coursework in the MSUM RN to BSN program begins in NURS 301: Transitions and continues throughout to the final two courses NURS 472: Nursing Leadership and Professional Development and NURS 473: Professional Pathways.

“Since the RN to BSN student holds the professional license and is expected to move into leadership roles, we have transitioned the historic ‘Preceptorship’ to more closely align with the Institute of Medicine competencies for leadership. The focus and emphasis is now on the BSN as the nurse leader–in the clinical setting, education, public health and beyond.” – Barbara J. Matthees, Chair of the School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership at MSUM.

Students this spring and summer have gone to Nicaragua to impact families of children with disabilities and engage in culturally competent preventative health education, while other students in ND and MN have engaged with health agencies, public health entities, summer camps, and more! Examples of the many projects include education for nurses, outreach for at-risk populations, professional development for nurses, and working on inter-agency communication in handing-off and transitioning patients.

Agencies and preceptors have provided feedback to faculty and students regarding the exciting impact of these professional pathways projects. Faculty alike have seen great outcomes in the students as well as the communities in which the projects are taking place and being implemented. Mary Rousslang, instructor of the Summer 2014 NURS 473 course at MSUM, said that “the projects were awesome and the students overall did a fantastic job at the projects that were not simple nor easy… the facility [sic] benefitted from the student projects and the students grew in confidence and leadership skills.”

The School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership could not be more excited about this turn in the RN to BSN program! Looking forward to our Fall 2014 NURS 473 Projects, outcomes look just as promising with projects on the horizon that include, but are not limited to, working with at-risk youth, post-hospitalization follow-up, emotional intelligence, quality assurance, reducing hospital readmissions, infection control of nursing property in home care, language barriers to family nursing and preventative care, and enhancing culturally competent care in Guatemala City.