The Carmel Rapper

Avondale Elementary Christmas Fundraiser

Due to the pandemic, we will not be collecting gifts for the good little boys and girls at Avondale Elementary School. This image from 2019 reminds us, however, that there is still a need. So instead of collecting gifts, we encourage you to donate to a GoFundMe by clicking here by Friday, Dec. 18. These funds will be used to purchase small gifts and gift cards to be distributed to the students as a reward for attending virtual class, adopting a family for Christmas, and providing Christmas dinners for two students’ families.

Message from the President & Academic Dean

Dear MCCN Faculty, Staff and Students,

We’re approaching the end of the semester and I hope you are powering through these last few weeks as we head toward a much needed, well-deserved break.

Before that break, our faculty will have opportunities to learn more about how to use i-Innovate (iPad and Apple) technology to augment teaching and learning activities for students. In late November, we launched a series of professional training sessions for new iPad and Apple users as part of our campus-wide initiative to lead transformation in education through innovation to foster digital competency and provide equal technological opportunities to all MCCN students. The series continues this month and covers a range of topics designed to provide educator time-saving tips and features to aid student learning. On Monday through Thursday each week, twice daily online workshops are being offered. Faculty and staff can visit apple.co/apl to register for a session.

Although I am looking forward to the day when I no longer have to include pandemic or COVID-19-related information in my message, we’re not quite there yet. I am encouraged by the progress on vaccine development and distribution, though. When those important preventive tools are in place and ready, I’ll happily share that news. Until then, we are still in a precarious position, where the recent surge of cases has put immense strain on our health care system, especially our nurses. If you are looking for an opportunity to help ease that strain, Mount Carmel has opportunities for paid, part-time, casual employment in patient safety attendant roles, multi-skilled technician or other positions.

In these roles, you will have access to and be required to wear appropriate PPE, and you will be trained for the skills necessary to perform the job duties prior to working directly with patients. MCHS locations with the most need include Mount Carmel St. Ann’s, Mount Carmel East and Mount Carmel Grove City. You will be asked to complete a required, fast-tracked pre-employment process including a virtual interview and orientation. Please click here to apply and see where you are needed most.

And now for some fun! We want to know how you are preparing for the upcoming holiday season. Are you celebrating with long-held family traditions or making new ones? Are you decorating, baking or just relaxing by a fire? What winter sports or fitness activities are at the top of your list over break? Are you dressing your pets in festive garb? Let’s all share our holiday plans and activities by sending a photo of our celebrations that can be shared more broadly with our campus community. You can send your story or photo to Alex Reese at areese@mccn.edu. I can’t wait to see how you celebrate creatively during these different times!

I wish you, your family and loved ones a blessed, peaceful, happy and safe holiday season.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Williamson, PhD, MSN, RN
President & Academic Dean, Mount Carmel College of Nursing

Now Recruiting Student Ambassadors!

Calling all Nightingales, apply to be a student ambassador! Help new students adjust to college life and guide current students through important milestones. You will also attend and help with college events such as graduation, pinning and more. Fill out the application here.

Coping With An Unhappy Holiday Season (by McLean Hospital)

If this is the first challenging holiday for you, the tenth, or you are helping a loved one navigate the holidays, there are many ways to cope with the holiday season:

Check In

Take time to check in with yourself and your feelings and have realistic expectations for how the holiday season will be. If you are dealing with loss or grief, gently remind yourself that as things change, traditions will change as well.

Take Care of Your Physical Health

Fewer hours of daylight in the winter can lead to increased symptoms of depression. Good sleep habits and exercising regularly can help. If you experience depression or anxiety, consider drinking less alcohol, as it can worsen symptoms of both illnesses.

Recognize Triggers

Preparing yourself by understanding how different triggers affect you can help reduce stress during the holiday season.

Be Patient

Be patient with other people and be patient with yourself. It can be very easy to feel weighed down by perfectionism and happiness in the holiday season. If you feel overwhelmed by social obligations and what others are asking of you, learn how to be comfortable saying “no.”

Holiday Safety Tips

MCCN Safety and Security Officer David Byers provided helpful tips to stay safe this holiday season from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Tip #1 suggests ensuring your device is up to date before making online purchases and how to keep secure with strong passwords.

Tip #2 recommends shopping only through trusted sources and to always verify the legitimacy before supplying your information.

Tip #3 advises checking the website’s privacy policy before providing payment information. This tip also advocates using a credit card as opposed to a debit card since there are no laws that limit fraudulent credit card charges.

See attachments or visit cisa.gov/shop-safely for more information.

Save the Date: VIRTUAL Nurses Day at the Statehouse 2021

Nurses Day at the Statehouse is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10 and will be virtual. More information will be available in January 2021.

Getting to Know You: Julie Starkweather, MBA, Bursar

Join us in welcoming the new college bursar, Julia Starkweather! Below are a few tidbits about Julie.

Name: Julie Starkweather

Nickname: None

Hometown: Fremont, Ohio

Alma Mater: Tiffin University

I can't live without: My family - My husband, Daniel, and I have 3 sons. Owen, 22, and twins, Evan and Ivan, 19. They are all in college this year so my husband and I are empty nesters living in the city for the first time and loving every second of it!

If I could spend the day with one person it would be: This question is the toughest! I can think of so many amazing people I would love to spend a day with. If I could pick two I would say my late grandmother Kryder and the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to: Switzerland, Italy, and Botswana

When I have down time, I: enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, trying new food/restaurants, and watching TV shows/movies/sports

My favorite movie is: The Princess Bride

The quote I tend to live by is: “Live everyday to the fullest because you never know when it will be your last.”

A Special Goodbye

Karen Greene, director of records and registration will be departing MCCN effective Thurs., Dec. 31. Please reach out to Michelle Livingston if you have any questions for records and registration in the interim.

Alyss Zohar, accommodations coordinator has departed MCCN, effective Friday, Dec. 4.

We thank you both for your service to MCCN.

Library Update

Remember, Your library is here to help guide you through your first literature search or project. Remote assistance is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in the following ways:

• E-mail: library@mchs.com
• Web chat at the library site: https://library.mchs.com — Also, text to chat at 614-541-2224 (data rates may apply)
• Call 614-234-5214
• If you need help after hours, remember to visit the library FAQ page at https://library.mchs.com/faq

Library Accounts

All enrolled MCCN students automatically have library accounts. Your login credentials are:

• Username = last name
• Password = student ID

Library staff are not permitted provide student ID numbers. Your ID number is listed on your student schedule.

Please note, the library does not have any laptops to lend at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.