“Nurses Agenda for Health Care Reform”

The Silver Lake College Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Students are sponsoring a free educational presentation entitled, “Nurses Agenda for Healthcare Reform” presented by Gina Dennik-Champion, the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA). 

The educational presentation will be held on December 10, 2009 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm in the Generose Enrichment Center Conference Hall (Room 203) on the Silver Lake College Campus, 2406 South Alverno Road, Manitowoc, WI. All healthcare providers, nursing students and the public are invited to attend.

Dennik-Champion serves as the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) and represents the WNA on a variety of state and private organizational boards, committees and advisory councils. She holds a bachelor and master’s degree in nursing, as well as a Master of Science in Health Care Administration.  Her clinical specialization is gerontology. Gina is a frequent consultant and presenter on current issues in health care and nursing practices.

Silver Lake College Announces Accreditation of Nursing Program

The Nursing Program at Silver Lake College is proud to announce that it recently received accreditation approval from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of the public’s health and ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs preparing effective nurses. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing education programs and the continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education.

As part of the accreditation process, Silver Lake developed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Completion Program whereby its first set of graduates participated in Commencement ceremonies on May 10, 2009 and received their pins on June 4, 2009. Nancy Niesing, a recent graduate of the program commented, “My primary goal to pursue my BSN degree was to acquire the required credentials for my position as a clinical educator, but I gained so much more. I gained a broader view and understanding of the world and the people around me. I examined and reevaluated my personal values system. I learned to critically evaluate information and I gleaned a great deal about learning principles and research that could be applied to my job. I have become more adept at the use of technology for enhancing my skills as an educator. I learned to work as a team to complete group projects. I have achieved much more than the credibility I initially sought. The seed for continuous growth and learning was planted, and a dream has been fulfilled.”

The degree completion program is designed for current RN’s, those with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing or for those with a Diploma in Nursing. This program is offered in Manitowoc, Wausau, Rhinelander, Ladysmith and will available on-line starting in the fall of 2009. Kathi Calabresa, program developer stated, “The need for knowledgeable and skilled nursing leaders has never been greater. The health care system is undergoing fundamental restructuring that will rely on nurses who are prepared to assume leadership roles to improve patient outcomes. The BSN completion program at Silver Lake College prepares the baccalaureate nurse to assume leadership role for managing the complexities of patient care wherever they practice.”

For more information about the BSN completion program, please contact Kate Siegler, Program Director, at 686-6213 or on the web at www.sl.edu/nursing

Nursing students at Commencement on May 10, 2009 from L-R Back Row: Kathy Barta-Orlet, Barb Reiss, Marcy Davies, Darlene TeStroete, Front Row: Nancy Niesing, Sue Kassner, January Meyer, Jackie Downey