OUZ Nursing recognized for excellence

ZANESVILLE -- The Ohio University-Zanesville Nursing program prepares nurses for traditional and non-traditional positions in the profession. Recently students and faculty participated in a national preparedness drill and will be hosting a training on the same topic for their peers in January.

“It is important for our students to realize their responsibility in health care today,” said Pamela Sealover, associate director of nursing at the Zanesville campus. “Participating in realistic drills, attending conferences and hosting trainings are all ways the students gain valuable hands-on experience.”

It is this type of proactive approach to training registered nurses that has led the Associate Degree Nursing Program being awarded re-accreditation until 2015 by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

The nursing program at Ohio University-Zanesville is a six-quarter associate degree program that prepares students for careers as registered nurses. The program was recently re-accredited by the NLNAC for the longest period of accreditation possible. The accreditation process looks at the curriculum, hands-on clinical experience, student satisfaction and faculty involvement and scholarship among other things.

A new class is admitted to the nursing program three times per year, in the fall, winter and spring quarters. The deadline for materials for selection into the Fall 2008 class is April 1, 2008. Between 50 and 54 students are selected each quarter with qualifying grade point average, prerequisites, and placement testing, as well as a career goal statement or autobiography among the requirements.

“Selection is competitive and we have a large pool of eligible candidates,” said Sealover. “We feel it is important to know our students really want to be nurses before they enter the rigorous program.”

The rigor and high standards that are held to in the nursing program are investments that have served the program well for nearly 40 years. The investments go beyond the Ohio University-Zanesville campus borders, though.

The investment of other nursing professionals at Children’s Hospital, Genesis Healthcare, Fairfield Medical Center, Licking Memorial Hospital, Mount Carmel East and St. Anne’s, Ohio Valley Medical Center, Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department, and Zanesville Surgery Center that provide hands-on preceptor experience and mentoring to the students is invaluable.

In addition, the community supports the program by establishing scholarships, making donations and sponsoring fund-raising efforts that are meaningful to the program and to the student nurses they benefit.

The Robert B. Morrison Scholarship Art Auction, the Urban Family’s donation of a realistic programmable and interactive simulation patient, SIMMAN, and a recent anonymous donation to provide scholarships are examples of individual and community generosity that has helped the Oho University-Zanesville Nursing Program flourish over the years.

To find out how you can support the nursing program contact Sealover at 740.588.1514 or vial email at millerp3@ohio.edu.