Creating the Next Generation of Nurses
Since 1921, Beebe has been committed to training future nurses at what is now the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Healthcare. The school is the only nursing school in the state located on the same grounds as a hospital, which allows students at the school to not only get detailed instruction in classes and simulation labs, it also provides hands-on training on units at the medical center.
There are many benefits of having a school right here on our campus. First, having a nursing school that is so closely affiliated with a healthcare system means that our nurses will have the advantage of more familiarity and exposure to how our healthcare system works, as well as getting to hear directly from our many talented physicians and other practitioners who participate directly in the education process.
That kind of exposure is a significant advantage for a hospital-based program.
In addition, the high quality technology available at the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing provides experiences that are unmatched in other facilities.
“The benefits of our program here are reflected in the NCLEX scores – this is the standardized test score administered to all nurses,” said Karen Pickard, Program Administrator. “At Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing we consistently have higher than average NCLEX scores and, in 2018, 96.15% of our graduates who went on to take the RN Licensure exam passed.”
For the faculty and leaders of the school, it is important to maintain a high level of quality education because future nurses will be the ones caring for patients both in Sussex County and beyond.
As healthcare continues to evolve and the practice of medicine focuses on delivering care in the most cost-effective setting we will need more and more nurses and other clinical people to support the multiple locations, sites, and means for caring for patients.
Being able to graduate more well-trained individuals who are familiar with Beebe’s processes, our IT systems, and our clinical staff means they can more easily make the transition from student to practitioner within our system; in a variety of different settings.
Planning for Future Nursing Education
When she retired in September, Bonnie Austin had 56 years of nursing under her belt. Some of her favorite memories were during the 31 years she spent teaching upcoming nurses.
“Bonnie Austin taught a lot of nurses and team members in her 56 years at Beebe, and as she retired she taught us a very important lesson: to plan for the future,” said Judy Aliquo, President & CEO, Beebe Medical Foundation.
Bonnie partnered with Beebe Medical Foundation to create an endowment which aims to help future nurses attain the education they need to excel in their fields.
“Bonnie wanted to establish an endowment for the professional development and continuing education for nurses working at Beebe Healthcare. It is a wonderful legacy that will keep giving and teaching for years to come,” Ms. Aliquo said. “It is also a very active and attractive fund for our nurses to consider making annual contributions.”
To learn more about the endowment or to contribute, call Beebe Medical Foundation at (302) 644-2900 or email [email protected].
During her time at Beebe, Bonnie touched many lives, especially the young nurses who she helped thrive in their careers. Her passion for nursing was infectious – an inspiration to many.
“Nursing is one of the most admirable professions around,” said Ms. Pickard. “Not only does it require significant knowledge in health and science, but it also requires an empathetic, compassionate individual who is willing to care for others. Nurses are at the forefront of the changes in healthcare delivery. Nurses are leaders, educators, and caregivers all in one profession.”
Three current first-year students at the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing agreed to do a video on why they chose nursing and what they have learned so far.
