SEPTEMBER 2014
Welcome Back! A Message from the Chair
Important Dates in September
Clinical Weekends
Saturday, 9/13
Sunday, 9/14
Saturday, 9/27
Sunday, 10/28
Day 2016 Advisor/Advisee
Meet and Greet Lunch
Friday, 9/5
E/W 2016 Advisor/Advisee
Meet and Greet Dinner
Tuesday, 9/9
2014 Evening/Weekend
Graduation
Wednesday, 9/10
7:00pm
Keswick Theater
Admissions Information Session
Monday, 9/15
5:30—7:30pm
Day Class Meetings
Tuesday, 9/16
11:50am—12:20pm
First Day of Fall
Tuesday, 9/23
E/W Class Meetings
Tuesday, 9/23
6:40—7:05pm
Day SNAP Meeting
Wednesday, 9/24
11:50am—12:20pm
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- Deborah Hines, DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC
I want to extend a warm welcome to our new intermediate class and our returning seniors. The
faculty and myself are excited to be a part of your
educational journey to become a registered nurse.
We believe that our rigorous Curriculum will prepare you to be safe and competent nurses, however that is just one aspect of your preparation. In
order to be successful in any nursing program
students should be totally engaged in class
and clinical experiences
and should take advantage of all of the services and support available to you at the Dixon School of
Nursing and at Penn State University. I am hoping all students will be proactive
in their education and seek out support. We are here for you to facilitate your
education, but make no mistake about it, you are in charge of your own destiny.
I wish you success as you begin this year’s excellent adventure.
Students Prepare Breakfast for Hospice Residents
On Sunday July 27, 2014, Evening/Weekend
2014 students George Barrett and Erion Carcani
showed what it means to go above and beyond.
The students volunteered to cook breakfast for
the patients on the Inpatient Hospice Unit. The
volunteer that usually cooks breakfast for the patients had called out and the students eagerly
volunteered to help out on the unit and make sure
that the patients received what they wanted to eat
that morning.
Bobbi Zimmaro, RN, MSN, CRNP, CHPN, HTP,
Nurse Manager at the Inpatient Hospice Unit,
stated: ―Thank you to all the students and Heather
Peiritsch, Clinical Instructor, as a role model who
George Barrett and Erion Carcani, E/W 2014, prepare breakfast for resido a great job on the hospice unit. They do step
dents of the Inpatient Hospice Unit.
up to the plate to make the experience for the
patients and families the best it could be in light of the sad outcome. This is what nursing should be, in addition clinical skills and expertise. Kudos and thank you from the bottom of my heart.‖
Vital Signs
SEPTEMBER 2014
The Learning Center at Penn State Abington
Room 315 Sutherland
215-881-7538
Free drop-in tutoring is available at The Learning Center at Penn State Abington. Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Writing Tutors / Writing Consultants
Writing Tutors / Writing Consultants offer help with writing assignments for all courses. Writing tutoring happens when students
request assistance with grammar and punctuation. Writing consultation happens when students drop in to "brainstorm" a topic,
develop their ideas, or review a first draft. Students should not expect tutors to proofread or edit their assignments. Instead, tutors
help students learn what to look for when they proofread their own writing.
Learning / Study Strategies
The Learning Center also provides help with Test Preparation, Time Management, College Reading Strategies, Note Taking,
Test-taking Tips, Concentration, and Memory Strategies. For additional study skill resources, see the University Park Learning
Center website (http://www.ulc.psu.edu/studyskills/main.html)
Financial Aid Disbursement Announcement
Financial Aid Disbursement checks for students with tuition balance credits will be mailed to the student’s home.
The disbursement cycle for this AY is as follows:
Day Option
September 19, 2014
December 13, 2014
March 14, 2015
Evening/Weekend Option
September 19, 2014
January 16, 2015
May 8, 2015
Please allow up to ten business days for the check to reach you. If there are any questions, contact Mary Beth Prajzner at [email protected]. If you wish to adjust your Title IV loan and have this disbursement credited
to the next term balance owed, please make an appointment to speak with either Claire Tatlow or Mary Beth Prajzner to discuss and complete the necessary paperwork.
Course Coordinator/Instructor Guy Goldich Wins
Williamson Award
Guy Goldich, MSN, RN, CCRN, Dixon School of Nursing Course Coordinator/Instructor
won the hospital’s prestigious Williamson Award at the annual award ceremony in the
spring. Guy served as a team coordinator and leader in the AMH CICU for 25 years. He led
the team in professional development and excellence through coaching, classes, and competencies. He served as charge nurse, educator, preceptor and mentor. His knowledge
and expertise in hypothermia and balloon pumps lead the team to a higher level of professional excellence and expertise.
Reminder: CPR Cards
Students are reminded that it is your responsibility
to keep an up-to-date CPR card on file at the
school. If your CPR card is not up-to-date, you will
not be permitted to attend clinical and will have to
do a clinical make-up with associated fees.
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Over the 25 years that Guy was a staff nurse
many patients have commented on his compassionate and competent care that he provided to them. Now, as a faculty member, Guy Guy Goldich, Course Coordinator/
Instructor and Deborah Hines, Director of
demonstrates those same attributes with our
Nursing Education/Chair
nursing students. Students see Guy’s caring
approach to patients and their families as a role model. He loves sharing his passion with future nurses and is committed to the success of each and every student. Congratulations, Guy!
Vital Signs
SEPTEMBER 2014
PA TH
* Peers Available To Help*
The senior class PATH program is a voluntary peer support program that includes
class officers and other interested students
who are seniors.
PATH promotes working relationships between intermediates and seniors. If you
need a PATH member’s help or would like
more information on how PATH operates,
contact Whitney Zylstra,
[email protected], 215-481-5564.
Reminder: Classroom Cleanliness
Students: if you choose to eat at the desks or
library tables, please throw all of your trash out
and wipe the table down. Do NOT throw trash
into the compartments in the tables in Ground
3. We all need to pitch in to keep our School
looking its best!
Community Yard Sale to Benefit
Dixon Scholarships
When: Saturday, September 13, 2014 (Rain Date Sunday)
8:00am—1:00pm (no early birds!)
Where: Abington Memorial Hospital Parking Lot*
1942 Horace Avenue, Abington, PA 19001
*Located at crosswalk, directly across from the
Widener Building (Next to
Abington township building/firehouse).
Vendors: Reserve prime space for
a donation of $35 each.
Space size 9’x18’ - bring
your own table.
Proceeds benefit the Nurses’ Scholarship Fund of the
Abington Memorial Hospital Dixon School of Nursing. Register online at www.abingtonhealth.org/yardsale or call the
AHF Women’s Board Office at 215-481-2500.
Scholarship Announcements
- Claire Tatlow, Coordinator of Student Financial Aid
The DSON is very proud of our students who have been awarded scholarships to pursue their dream of becoming a nurse. We would like to acknowledge the generosity of the donors of these scholarships and appreciate the gifts that are helping very deserving students.
Congratulations to the 6 Intermediate students who are DSON Merit
Scholarship awardees and the 6 rising seniors who are retaining their
Merit Scholarship for 2014-15. The DSON Merit scholarship, which is
awarded only to new students, is made possible from the generous
contributions of the Dixon Family and the endowment foundation at
Abington Memorial Hospital.
Congratulations to the 115 DSON students who are recipients of AMH
Women’s Board Auxiliary Scholarships. These students were selected by the Women’s Board Scholarship committee and are made
possible by the fund raising efforts of these amazing women who volunteer their time and talents do make a difference in the life of our students.
Congratulations to the 25 students who have received AMH endowed
scholarships which have been made possible by many individuals and
families who have established a legacy by contributing to a DSON
nursing scholarship fund.
Congratulations to Brittany Kosin, E/W 2015, who was the recipient of
the 2014-15 VFW Jack E. Barger, Sr. Memorial Nursing Scholarship
which was established by the Department of Pennsylvania Veterans of
Foreign Wars to address the nursing shortage. Students submit their
names to the financial aid office if they are either an active duty service
member, a U.S. veteran, or the child or spouse of a veteran or active
duty service member. Students must also be a Pennsylvania resident.
This is the second DSON student who has received this scholarship.
Congratulations to Arvette Benson, E/W 2016, as well as Kisha
Bivines and Alkeena Ford, E/W 2015, who were awarded the Richard
A. Ash Scholarship for 2014-15. Richard A. Ash was a prominent
Center City attorney who grew up in Mount Airy, graduated from Central High School and joined the U.S. Navy serving in WWII. He dedicated his life to numerous causes including but not limited to the environment, civil rights, and advancement of young people from Philadelphia to go to college.
Congratulations to Marie O’Donnell, Day 2015, who is a recipient of
the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce scholarship for 2014-15.
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." –Darrel Royal
Evening/Weekend Grad Shawn McDade Holds CPR Class
The DSON would like to thank Evening/Weekend 2014 graduate Shawn McDade for holding CPR classes at the DSON this past August. Participants described his training as fun, interesting, and memorable. Great job, Shawn! If you are interested in taking a CPR class with Shawn,
you may contact him at: [email protected] or 215-240-0974.
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Vital Signs
SEPTEMBER 2014
Financial Aid News
Constitution Day - September 17, 2014
- Claire Tatlow, Coordinator of Student Financial Aid
―We the People of the United States, in order to form
a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.‖
DL Stafford loan interest rates for 2014-15
Undergraduate Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans 4.66%
Graduate Unsubsidized Direct Loans
6.21%
Plus Loans (both Grad Plus and Parent Plus)
7.21%
Student loan borrowers
Student loans are a great way to help you with
your education and achieve your career
dreams. Federal Direct Stafford loans are low
interest loans and you borrow directly from the
Department of Education. Subsidized loans are awarded based on
demonstrated financial need and no interest is charged while you
are enrolled at least half time. Unsubsidized loans are not based
on financial need and interest is charged while enrolled in an educational program. You are not required to make any payments
during school as they are deferred until you graduate, enroll less
than half time or not enrolled at all. Student loans are real loans
and must be paid back. That is why it is important that you know
before you owe.
You can calculate what your repayment amount might look like by
going to www.studentloans.gov
If you have borrowed in the past and aren’t sure how much you
owe, you should absolutely sign on to www.nslds.ed.gov and click
on Financial Aid Review.
Eliminate Credit Card Debt (For more information go to
www.youcandealwithit.com)
Track your spending
Stop using your credit cards
Use automatic bill pay
Create a budget-budget a specific amount to pay your credit
cards until all are paid in full
AMH Emergency Extensions
It is extremely important for AMH departments, residents, and
physicians to dial the correct numbers for emergencies to take
priority over other calls at AMH. If dialing ―0‖, the call is placed in
the operator queue with all other calls which could delay critical
response time. Critical numbers are listed as follows:
FIRE / SECURITY
CODE BLUE
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Dial
2828 (DSON Only)
333 (AMH Only)
LEVEL 1, 2, 3 TRAUMAS
777
RAPID RESPONSE
777
TEAM 99
777
ALL STAT CALLS
777
Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S.
Constitution by thirty-nine men on September 17, 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. A joint resolution by Congress in
1956 requested President Harry S. Truman to proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 each year as
―Constitution Week‖. In 2005, Senator Robert C. Byrd entered an
amendment known as Public Law 108-477 that requires all schools
that receive federal funds hold educational programs each year on
September 17th. To read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights go to
www.constitutionday.us.
Memo - Tramadol Now Schedule IV (4)
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is rescheduling tramadol
(brand name Ultram) as a Schedule IV controlled substance. Manufacturing labeling "CIV" and pharmacy inventory requirements will be
effective August 18, 2014.
Efforts to place the pain medication in this category came after the
Assistant Secretary of the HHS and the DEA performed evaluations and analyses of abuse potential, medical use and dependence liability.
Anyone who handles tramadol, indicated for pain management,
must abide by registration, disposal, security, labeling, inventory,
recording, reporting, prescription, importation/exportation and
liability requirements for Controlled Substance Act (CSA) schedule IV regulatory controls following the effective date of August 18,
2014. The agency also pointed out that every "DEA registrant who
possesses any quantity of tramadol on the effective date of this
final rule must take an inventory of all stocks of tramadol on hand
as of August 18, 2014, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827 and 958, and in
accordance with 21 CFR 1304.03,1304.04, and 1304.11 (a) and
(d).‖
Please remembers that all requirements for a controlled substance,
for inpatient or outpatient prescriptions, will apply to tramadolol on
Aug 18, 2014.
Feel free to call Shawn Parekh, x2033, with any questions.
Vital Signs, a newsletter for the students, faculty, support staff,
alumni, and friends of the Dixon School of Nursing, is published throughout
the academic year. Articles are always welcome and should be forwarded
electronically to Erica Messerschmidt, M.Ed., Editor, at [email protected].
Vital Signs
SEPTEMBER 2014