MCCN Receives Gift from Class of 1954 Alumna

On February 10 we remembered with much gratitude a very generous member of our alumni, Rachel Sheets Zook, on what would have been her 88th birthday. Rachel, who was a member of the Class of 1954, remembered Mount Carmel through an estate gift of $210,000 to the Mount Carmel Alumni Association. And, we are also grateful to the Alumni Association board members for directing Rachel’s gift, which is among the largest gifts in the history of MCCN and the largest for the campaign to date, toward MCCN’s “Our Legacy of Learning” campaign.

“I remember Rachel as always having a smile on her face and a willingness to do for others,” MCCN President Emeritus Ann Schiele, PhD, RN, said. “She attended many of the Alumni Homecoming banquets and, next to her husband and their chronically ill child whom she provided care for, Mount Carmel was her next love.”

When Rachel was at “the Mount,” student life was very different than today. Students were required to live on campus unless their family lived nearby, they observed strict curfews, and were permitted to meet with male visitors under the watchful eye of the house mother. It was not until four years after her class of only 35 students – all women – graduated that married students were admitted. The curriculum at the time was a three-year diploma program from Mount Carmel School of Nursing, which transitioned in 1990 to the fully accredited four-year College it is today.

Members of the faculty who would have taught Rachel and her classmates also were very different from today. The director of the School was Sister M. Nicholas Gough and several Sisters taught various classes. They were member of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, who founded the original training school for nurses in 1903.

“We are delighted the College has been remembered by Mrs. Zook, a nurse whose generosity will enhance our students’ success and contributions to the profession of nursing through support of faculty research and innovation, technology and evidence-based teaching strategies, and professional development,” says Kathleen Williamson, PhD, MSN, RN, academic dean and president, Mount Carmel College of Nursing.

MCCN’s “Our Legacy of Learning” campaign, which kicked off on Founder’s Day, Sept. 15, 2020, is bolstered by Rachel’s gift that will establish the Rachel Zook, RN, Memorial Faculty Innovation Scholarship, inaugurate the Rachel Zook, RN, Memorial Speaker Series, and extend the existing MCCN Nightingale Faculty Fellows Program. More information on each program can be found at mccn.edu/giving on the College website.

Congratulations, SDAP Cohort XIV!

On Friday, February 12, 71 students completed the MCCN Second Degree Accelerated program and graduated during a virtual ceremony. Congratulations on your major accomplishment, students!

Black History Month Speaker

Please join us virtually on Monday, February 22 at noon for a celebration and reflection on Black History Month. We are excited to welcome Dr. Barbara Jones Warren, PhD, APRN-CNS, FNAP, FAAN, Professor of Clinical Nursing at Ohio State University and a distinguished alumna of MCCN. The theme of her message is "The Path We Tread". You are invited to use the Zoom link below to join the event virtually.

Learn more about Dr. Warren.

Join Zoom Meeting on Feb. 22 at noon.

2021 Commencement Weekend

We know you are eager to know what commencement weekend will look like this year. We will have an announcement and more details for you in early March. Thank you for your patience while we continue to work through the details and challenges of COVID-19 and event planning.

Meet the New Director of Records and Registration

Congratulations to Michelle Livingston, BA, who has been named Director of Records and Registration! Here are a few things you should know about her.

Name: Michelle Livingston

Nickname: MOM!

Hometown: Strongsville, Ohio (suburb of Cleveland)

Alma Mater: Capital University

I can’t live without: COFFEE! It's a must, especially on these cold mornings.

If I could spend the day with one person it would be: My mom. She passed away 5 years ago and I miss her so much!

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to: I LOVE California, especially the Bay area.

When I have down time, I: spend time with my two kiddos (Avery age 12 and Jude age 9), my hubby Jeremiah and our two pets, Lulu and Kiki.

My favorite movie is: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (yes, we own moose mugs)

The quote I tend to live by is: I will walk by faith even when I cannot see. 2 Corinthians 5:7

The best advice I could give to incoming freshmen is: First, welcome to MCCN! You made such an awesome decision to major in nursing. My advice is to use the resources MCCN offers. There are so many great people at MCCN that are happy to answer any question you may have. We're here for you.

Reminder: Apply For Academic Year 2021-2022 Scholarships!

Scholarship applications for Academic Year 2021-2022 opened Monday, February 1, 2021, and will remain open until Sunday, February 28, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.

All scholarships are essay based, so please read carefully before responding. Please respond honestly to the general information questions, these will be double-checked. You may apply for as many of the scholarships that pertain to you and may receive more than one scholarship (if selected) but will be limited to four.

All scholarships will need to be applied for in one visit. If you only fill out one scholarship and click submit you will not be able to access any other scholarships.

The applications will be available on CARMELink. To access the scholarship applications please click on the Student tab at the top. Once you are on the Student tab click on Financial Aid on the left-hand side of the screen. Online Scholarships will be on the right-hand side of the screen.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at 614-234-1842 or email us at financialaid@mccn.edu.

Abstract Submission Invitation for MCCN Faculty

MCCN faculty is invited to submit an abstract to the annual Mount Carmel Health System Interprofessional Research and Evidence-Based Practice Day scheduled for May 5, 2021. The abstract must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Monday, February 22, 2021. All presenters and co-authors must complete a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form (download available) and submit to Monica.climer@mchs.com no later than February 22, 2021. You may submit for an eight-minute podium presentation, poster or both. Abstract word count must be 300 words or less. The abstract review committee will then review the submissions and determine the final list of presenters. More information can be found here. Please reach out to Monica Climer at monica.climer@mchs.com or Lynn Schaffer lynn.shaffer@mchs.com with questions.

Evidence Based Practice (EBP) Immersion Workshop

Last week, a few MCCN faculty members participated in the Fuld Institute for EBP Immersion Workshop. The workshop was a week chockful of online presentations, break-out workgroups, and learning tools to promote and include evidence-based practice into MCCN’s current culture.

Rosanna Bumgardner, EdD, MSN, MEd, RN, associate professor, explained the workshop as “an intense week of valuable information related to EBP that provided The Seven Steps of Evidence-Based Practice, various EBP models, how to write a PICOT question, and the hierarchy of types of research articles.”

Beth Medaugh, MSN, RN, assistant professor, states “I learned a lot and have my work cut out for me as I begin to infiltrate EBP more into my role as a nurse educator.” Beth highly recommends the Fuld EBP immersion to other instructors.

For Tracy Riley, PhD, APRN-CNS, CNE, professor, “...it reinforced what I knew about EBP but also challenged me to think more critically. One of my outcomes will be to modify the way I provide a synthesis table. (This may not sound exciting but it was for me!)”

And, according to Roxanne Oliver, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, director of Graduate Programs, “The EBP Immersion solidified the need for continued integration of the EBP mindset across Mount Carmel College of Nursing and the Mount Carmel Health System. This rigorous five-day immersion reignited my passion for diving into the literature and being an active participant in translating the evidence into practice. I am excited to see what the future holds for Mount Carmel and all of our new EBP mentors!”

MCCN Safety & Security Update: Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Safety Tips

ATM Machines have become the target of criminal opportunities such as robberies, purse thefts, and other personal crimes. The following is a list of suggestions to help reduce your vulnerabilities and the criminal’s opportunities.

• Always be aware, alert, and prepared to act when visiting an ATM. Walk with a purpose displaying confidence; criminals’ prey on those who appear to be timid.
• If possible, especially at night, do not use an outside walk-up machine. Select an ATM at a location void of barriers blocking the line of sight to the ATM. This includes shrubbery, landscaping, and signs that can provide excellent concealment for criminals.
• If you use an outside machine, use one that is well-lit and visible.
• Do not just walk up to a machine; look around for suspicious cars or persons. If something does not look right, go to another location.
• Enter your PIN numbers quickly and block the display with your body so no one can read them; be observant of shoulder surfers.
• Do not leave receipts at the machine, take them with you.
• If confronted by an attacker, remember your life is more important than your cash.

Library Update

Library Remote Assistance

Your library is here for you virtually. 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 — 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

Congratulations SDAP Cohort 14

We want to take time to congratulate SDAP Cohort 14 on their graduation. Remember, you still have access to library services for three months as you prepare for the NCLEX. If you begin your nursing career at Mount Carmel Health System, contact your library. We can change your status to staff and renew your account. Wishing you all the best as you embark on your nursing career.

Library Accounts

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

• Username = last name
• Password = student ID

If you are still having trouble logging in, contact us.

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 laptops to lend at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.