Volume 11 Number 1
July 2011
Bethel College School of Nursing
Alumni Newsletter
Dean of Nursing
Carol Dorough, RN, MSN EdD
Associate Dean of Nursing
Deb Gillum, RN, MSN, PhD
Graduate Program Director
Karon Schwartz, RN, PhD
Coordinator for Bethel
Programs at Grace College
JoLynn Reimer, RN, MA, MS
Nursing Faculty (Full-Time)
Rick Becker, RN, MA, MS
Connie Cramer, RN, MSN
Sally Erdel, RN, MSN
Darlene Geoghan, RN, MSN,
April Hart, RN, MSN
Kathy Hoffer, RN, MS
Teresa Jodway, RN, MSN
Louise Solak, RN,, MSN
Ethel Stringham, RN,MS
Isabelle White, RN, MSN
Rebecca Zellers, RN, MSN
Nursing Faculty (Part-Time)
Laurie Beck, RN, BSN
David Benak, EdD
Staci Bobeck, RN, MSN
Melody Campbell, RN, MSN
Ivelisse Campos, RN, MSN
Sylvia Coffing, RN, MSN
Marilyn Comstock, RN, MSN
Nancy DeRosa, RN, BSN
Michelle Hopper, RN, BSN
Heather Johnson, RN, MSN
Tina Kendall, RN, MSN
Bonnie Lee, RN, MSN
Lisa LeMasters, RN, MSN
Beth Lockwood, RN, BSN
Lynda Newton, RN, MSN
Teresa Null, RN, MSN
Dale Robbins, RN, MSN
Dorothy Saeuberlich, RN, BSN
Tonya Sobaski, RN, BSN
Corie VanArsdale, RN, BSN
JoAnne Widerquist RN, DMIN
Nursing Staff
Kathy Deak, , RN, MSN, Nursing
Recruiting Coordinator
Sharon Duerksen, Nursing
Admissions Counselor
Jennifer Meert, Grad. Secretary
Janet Praklet, Admin. Asst. to Dean
Pat Schroeder, Admin. Asst. to
Faculty
Letter from the Dean
Dear Alumni and Friends of Bethel College School of Nursing,
I just completed my first year as Dean of the School of Nursing, and it has been exciting. The excellent
work of Dr. Karon Schwartz, during her 2 years as interim dean, was evident. One of the major highlights for
2010-11 was receiving word from NLNAC that the BSN programs had received accreditation for the maximum time of 8 years. Karon Schwartz, Deb Gillum, and Sally Erdel did an amazing job of writing the selfstudy, in collaboration with other nursing faculty. Experience gained from that process will be invaluable as
the writing of a new self-study begins for MSN (and possibly ADN) accreditation visits coming up in the fall
of 2012.
We are proud to announce that Deb Gillum completed her PhD, and is now officially Dr. Deborah Gillum.
Darlene Geoghan and Becky Zellers are continuing work on their doctorates. Darlene is nearing completion of
her dissertation, and Becky is making good progress in her DNP classes.
Soon after the September NLNAC accreditation visit, the faculty began an intensive review and revision of
the School of Nursing philosophy and curriculum. The work has taken place in program-specific committees,
as well as Curriculum Workshops, which have included the entire nursing faculty. Progress has been steady
and deliberate, with much care being taken towards the development of a philosophy and curriculum that will
further enhance the excellence of the Bethel College School of Nursing. The goal is to complete the revisions
during the 2011-12 academic year.
When the fall semester begins, students will notice some changes in nursing faculty. After serving the
School of Nursing well over many years, Ethel Stringham and Isabelle White made the decision not to return
this coming year. Both will be missed by faculty and students. At this time, only one of the two positions has
been filled. Corie VanArsdale will be assuming the Maternal Health faculty role vacated by Ethel. We are in
the process of interviewing candidates for Isabelle’s position at Grace College, and still have an opening for a
Mental Health instructor on the Grace campus. In order to meet recent revisions in NLNAC standards, candidates for Bethel’s full-time nursing faculty positions are expected to either have a doctorate or agree to begin a
doctoral program within a relatively short time after coming onto the faculty. Let us know if you are aware of
someone who might be interested in teaching for us full-time, or as an adjunct. Adjunct faculty need to have a
minimum of a Master’s degree in nursing.
Enrollment is up in all Bethel College nursing programs for fall. With an increase in students comes an
increase in financial need. We would like to encourage you to consider making a contribution, however large
or small, towards the endowment of the Ruth Davidhizar Scholarship Fund. In order for the fund to continue
providing financial support to nursing students, it will need to be endowed within the next 2 years. If you need
information on how to make your contribution, please call the School of Nursing, and we will get that information to you.
There is a great sense of community within the School of Nursing, which is evident in exit interviews with
graduating students. Many graduates note the caring faculty and Christian environment as being two of the
strengths they have seen in the nursing programs. That truly is the Bethel difference, and it is a privilege to be
a part of it. Soon, faculty and returning students will fill the halls of the Davidhizar nursing wing again, and
new students will begin their college journey. Our prayer is that God will use us this coming year to extend
His hand to those preparing to enter His service through the profession of nursing. If you
have a story about how the Lord has used you through nursing, either as a student or alumna, we would love to hear from you. There is no way of knowing whose life may be
changed by hearing of God’s work through you.
Sincerely, Carol Dorough, EdD, MSN, RN
Alumni Newsletter
Pinning Ceremony 2011
The School of Nursing at Bethel College celebrated its
The keynote speaker was Sally Erdel, MSN, who ad-
26th pinning on April 30, 2011. During a ceremony held
dressed the audience with a speech titled “Be Well, Do
in the Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center, 84 stu-
Good Work, and Keep in Touch.” Dr. Dorough explained
dents received their nursing pins. The processional was
the symbolism of the 3 pointed nursing cap and the class pin.
led by President Steven Cramer, Ph.D., and Carol Dorough, Ed.D., Dean of Nursing, who were followed by the
nursing faculty and graduating nursing students.
Teresa Jodway led all nurses in the International Pledge
for Nurses. Graduates received their pins on blue ribbons,
which were placed around their necks by members of the
The BSN class sang the “Franciscan Benediction,”
Bethel College BSN
Nursing Pin
nursing faculty.
which was accompanied by a slide show of the students’
missionary and outreach experiences while in the nursing
The 2011 graduating classes’ gift to Bethel College of a
pink dogwood tree was planted near The Davidhizar Wing
program.
for Nursing Education with a plaque.
BSN Class of 2011
Sara Bartle
Jonathan Beacham
Jessica Edmonds*+
Marisa Fox
Holly Graber*+
Megan Griggs*+
Patrice Harbor
Catherine Hershberger
Abigail Husch*+
Rebecca Logue*+
Sharon Matuszkiewicz
Lindsay Miller*
April Monaweck
Tiffany Nussbaum*+
Samuel Palombo
Anna Pulley*+
Karissa Rillema*+
Jessica Rondeau*
Tanya Schmell*
Jessie Scott*+
Elizabeth Stewart
Aimee Summerlott
Sarah Thompson*+
Erin Walter
Alyssa Wendler
BSN-Completion Class of 2011
Mecheal Boen
Robin Murphy*
Jessica Porter*
Bethann Procaccino
Heather Wagner
John Winn*+
Chanan Bonds*
Jeanette Conklin*
Barbara Glassford*
Stefawn Golliday*+
Kristina Lombardi*
Miriam Morgan-Skinner*
James Schlipp*
ADN Class of 2011
Elizabeth Bishop
Jeanne’ Bogunia
Leciesha Briggs
Megan Clarke
Tami Cox
Zachary Davis
Pamela Dunnuck
Meghann Filippello
Amber Gauthier
Lisa Gerndt
Peter Gomez
Jessica Gurchiek
Camille Harris
Pam Hartz
Melissa Heintzberger
Sarah Heiter
Suzanne Kempiak
Franchesca Mantel
Bethany Maxwell
Shelby Mitchell
Ashley Mullins
Amanda Onax
Ashley Ruiz
Scott Sarasin
Loreena Storer
Angela Taberski
Carolyn Tasich
Jodi Taylor
Kallan White
Lisa Witters
Pattie Yergler
Stephanie Yergler*
Chelsey Gingerich
Lauren Key
Donna Mac Lain
Kayla Moneyheffer*
Stacy Naugler
Michelle Randolph
Carmen Rata
Kerrie Wisehart
MSN Class of 2011
Sharon Fiorella –Teves *+
Beverly Houck*
Page 2
Laurie Hund-Schieber*
* GPA 3.5 or above
Laurie Matthews*
Dorothy Saeuberlich*+
Corie VanArsdale*+
+ Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society Inductee
Volume 11 Number 1
Do You Have Your BSN?
Have you heard of BSN in 10? It is a movement to mandate new RNs with less than a BSN to go back to school within 10
years of graduation to obtain their BSN. Some are linking this to hospitals seeking Magnet status, but others are stating it is
because research has shown that there is a significant relationship between higher levels of nursing education and improved
quality patient outcomes.
With this in mind, the School of Nursing wants to make sure we can meet the needs of those RNs who would like to return to
school. Please take a moment to complete the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PNQZZLQ. This will let us know
what format and length of time would best suit your needs. If you have completed your BSN-C at Bethel, it gives you the
opportunity to let us know what we can do to improve our program.
If you would like to talk to us about our BSN-C programs in Mishawaka, Warsaw, or St. Joseph, MI, please call Kathy Deak
at 574-807-7570.
Research supporting this initiative:
Aiken, L., Clarke, S.P., Cheung, T. B., Sloane, D. M., & Silber, J. H. (2003). Educational levels of hospital nurses and surgical patient mortality. JAMA, 290
(12), 1617‐1623.
Friese, C. R., Lake, E. T., Aiken, L. H., Silver, J. H. & Sochalski, J. (2008). Hospital nurse practice environments and outcomes for surgical oncology
patients. Health Services Research, 43 (4), 1145‐1163.
Tourangeau, A. E. et al. (2007). Impact of hospital nursing care on 30‐day mortality for acute medical patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 57 (1),
Grace Highlights
This August, Grace College is moving from two semesters and a January session to two 8-week sessions each semester and
some summer sessions. The impact for the Bethel nursing students at Grace is that courses have been carefully arranged so
that science and general education courses are spread over each of the 4 sessions during the school year. Some general
education courses are planned as hybrid classes utilizing classroom and online sessions. This innovation allows those who
want to take more courses each semester to do so.
Bethel College has increased the number of online class offerings for this school year. This gives nursing students at Grace
more options to complete required courses in their program, as well as take courses toward their BSN-Completion degree.
Enrollment for both levels of the ADN program has reached capacity this fall. However, there is space for beginning BSN
-Completion students this fall. What a great opportunity to advance your nursing education and prepare you, an RN, for a
new role in nursing. Contact Kathy Deak at 1-877 528-4701.
JoLynn Reimer, Bethel Nursing Programs at Grace Coordinator
School of Nursing Awards
Sally Torrence Award........................................Danielle Rathbun
Middleton Advanced Degree Award..................Jessica Gurchiek, Robin Murphy
Outstanding Student Awards.............................Tiffany Nussbaum, BSN; Kayla Moneyheffer, ADN
Inglett Award......................................................Stephanie Yergler, Tiffany Nussbaum
Altruism Awards.................................................Marisa Fox, Donna Mac Lain, Miriam Morgan-Skinner,
Jessica Porter, Loreena Storer, Corie VanArsdale
Spirit of Nursing Award.....................................Abby Husch
Page 3
I can do everything
through Him who
gives me strength."
- Philippians 4:13
Bethel College School of Nursing
Bethel College
School of Nursing
1001 Bethel Circle
Mishawaka, IN 46565
Phone: 574-257-3369
Fax: 574-257-2683
www.BethelCollege.edu
We are looking for alumni who are interested in beginning a Bethel College School of Nursing Alumni Organization! Please contact
Deb Gillum ([email protected]) if you are interested.
Facebook
Have you found us on
Facebook yet? Bethel College
School of Nursing is your page for
sharing news, keeping up with events
and getting to know each other!
Log-on and tell us what you are doing now. Are you pursuing an advanced degree, or have you won an
award? We may even get some discussions going on topics of interest. Before you leave the page, use the link to
go to our website and learn what a few
of our alumni are doing. We have
added “Look at me now” to the sidebar menu as a way of letting prospective students know some of the roles
nurses take in addition to hospitals.
If you would like to share your story, let us know, and we’ll post it in
future updates. Lastly, if you have
published in the past couple of years,
please share the information with us,
so we can include it in our “News” on
the website and add it on our publications display.
Interested in pursuing your BSN-Completion degree or your
MSN in Nursing Education or Nursing Administration?
There is room in the fall classes for YOU! Email us today at
[email protected]!