2008 Woodie Awards
A New Light on Valley's Nursing Program
Lyndsay Phillips
Issue date: 9/28/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
When Mary Cox became the director of health science and nursing at Valley College the nursing program had a waiting list of 467 students. In addition, prospective students had to cool their heels for more than a year just to get their applications on the list. Thirteen months since Cox altered admission policies, only 19 students are still waiting.
Marlowe Batayola was on the waiting list at Valley for two years before starting the RN program in January. He teaches a surgical tech program at Glendale Career College but held out to get into Valley's program.
"I work at a hospital and most of the nurses went [to Valley]," Batayola said. "They said it's a good program; so far, it's been great."
Reform has been badly needed in many college nursing programs in recent years and Valley was no exception. But replacing the department head and nearly eliminating the waiting list was only the beginning.
"It just seemed ridiculous to keep going into the black hole," said Cox.
The department's skills lab now resembles a hospital so that when students begin their careers, they will be comfortable in professional surroundings. A simulation man is being installed, providing students with a realistic body to practice on.
The program focuses more on the success of individual students. While 75 percent is the standard passing grade for any course, nursing students are required to achieve at least 80 percent in math.
"Math is very important for the safety of the patient and hospital," said Cox. "So we hold math in a high regard."
A website will be launched soon so that people interested in Valley's program can learn about the application process and find out what the academic expectations are. Current students will also be able to check class syllabi and take online courses.
New testing is similar to the National Council Licensure Examination that is required for a nurse's license. The Department of Health Service provides the nursing program with a grant that pays for testing, tutoring and mentoring for students as well as workshops for faculty.
The department will be accepting new applications in 2006 for spring and fall semesters so that students can come in whenever it's easiest for them.
"There is hope," Cox said. "We've just been lucky enough to have a faculty that was determined to make it happen."
Marlowe Batayola was on the waiting list at Valley for two years before starting the RN program in January. He teaches a surgical tech program at Glendale Career College but held out to get into Valley's program.
"I work at a hospital and most of the nurses went [to Valley]," Batayola said. "They said it's a good program; so far, it's been great."
Reform has been badly needed in many college nursing programs in recent years and Valley was no exception. But replacing the department head and nearly eliminating the waiting list was only the beginning.
"It just seemed ridiculous to keep going into the black hole," said Cox.
The department's skills lab now resembles a hospital so that when students begin their careers, they will be comfortable in professional surroundings. A simulation man is being installed, providing students with a realistic body to practice on.
The program focuses more on the success of individual students. While 75 percent is the standard passing grade for any course, nursing students are required to achieve at least 80 percent in math.
"Math is very important for the safety of the patient and hospital," said Cox. "So we hold math in a high regard."
A website will be launched soon so that people interested in Valley's program can learn about the application process and find out what the academic expectations are. Current students will also be able to check class syllabi and take online courses.
New testing is similar to the National Council Licensure Examination that is required for a nurse's license. The Department of Health Service provides the nursing program with a grant that pays for testing, tutoring and mentoring for students as well as workshops for faculty.
The department will be accepting new applications in 2006 for spring and fall semesters so that students can come in whenever it's easiest for them.
"There is hope," Cox said. "We've just been lucky enough to have a faculty that was determined to make it happen."
