The School of Nursing saw record enrollment for the second consecutive year in fall 2020 with a 5% increase (1,877 students) from fall 2019. With the new Health Sciences Complex on the horizon for the SIUE campus, the foundation is in place for continued growth.

Dean Laura Bernaix, PhD, RN, points to the School’s faculty as the secret to their success. “Great faculty, who not only are great educators in the classroom but also experts at curriculum design, are the key,” she said. “We pride ourselves with having the pulse of what prospective students want and what our clinical agency partners need.”

Read more about the School’s growth.

As the School of Nursing continues to experience rapid enrollment growth, it is expanding and enhancing its clinical simulation learning opportunities for future nurses. This fall, the School opened an additional state-of-the-art clinical simulation lab.

The Simulated Learning Center (SLC) now includes three labs that span nearly 5,700 square feet on the second and third floors of Alumni Hall. The new lab space on the third floor includes an advanced simulated operating room, high-fidelity hospital simulation room, two simulation skill classrooms and a new debriefing room.

The SLC offers undergraduate and graduate nursing students the realistic primary and advance practice simulation experiences they need to provide high-tech, high-quality patient care.

Learn more about the newest simulation lab.

EduMed’s 2020 ranking of Best Online Master’s Programs in Nursing Education tabs SIUE’s completely online nurse educator program #1 in Illinois and #7 in the nation. EduMed’s ranking methodology considers programs with proper accreditation that boast an exemplary combination of affordability, quality and flexibility.

“We have worked intensely in the School of Nursing to find the perfect balance for our graduate programs,” said Andrew Griffin, PhD, CRNA, APRN, assistant dean for graduate programs. “Our focus has been to provide high-quality courses and curricula, while maximizing learner flexibility and affordability. We have seen tremendous growth in our graduate student population.”

Read more about the ranking.

In July, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Madison County mounted to more than 1,800 with up to 75 new cases per day. To provide accessibility and ensure the health and safety of the area, institutional collaborators partnered to bring free testing to various communities twice weekly via Madison County Mobile Testing.

Outreach program team members from the School of Nursing included Valerie Griffin, DNP, PPCNP-BC, FNP-BC, RN, assistant clinical professor in family health and community health nursing; Melissa Bogle, DNP, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, family nurse practitioner clinical site coordinator, and instructor; and Family Nurse Practitioner DNP students Tyler Tanzyus, Brooke Buffington and Julie Milton.

Learn more about the mobile testing.

All 29 students of the Family Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice 2020 cohort reported a first-time pass rate on the two exams they are eligible to complete. That 100% achievement surpasses the approximately 86% national average for both exams, based on 2019 data.

Fifteen students took the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board exam and 13 took the American Nurses Credentialing Center exam. One student completed both exams, achieving a first-time pass on both.

Learn more about the remarkable pass rate.

• Advanced Practice: Kevin Stein, DNAP, CRNA, MS, director of the Nurse Anesthesia DNP program, and assistant professor in Primary Care and Health Systems (PCHS) Nursing
• Behavioral Health: Tracy Cooley, DNP, RN, assistant professor in PCHS Nursing
• Case Management, Public Health and Occupational Health: Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, RN, CCP, director of the WE CARE Clinic, Student Nurse Achievement Program (SNAP) Coordinator, and assistant professor in the Department of Family Health and Community Health (FHCH) Nursing
• Nursing Administration: Sheri Compton-McBride, DNP, MSN, director of the RN/BS program, director of Acquisition of Clinical Sites, and contract management instructor in PCHS Nursing
• Pediatric: Annie Imboden, DNP, APN, CPNP, instructor in the SIUE Regional Nursing Program
• Student Nurse: Sydney Kesner, a senior from Highland
• Women’s Health and Obstetrics: Nancy Kurilla, MSN, RN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC, CLC, RNC-LRN, instructor in FHCH Nursing

Learn more about the Nurse of the Year Awards. 

Online Pop-Up Shop Open Through November 16

Complete some of your holiday and graduation shopping done through the Alumni Association Online Merchandise Sale! We have tons of great SIUE gear for the whole family, and all proceeds help benefit scholarships for current SIUE students. The store is open through November 16. Click here to get your SIUE merch today!

Send Your Congratulations to the SIUE Fall Class of 2020

Help us congratulate the upcoming SIUE Class of 2020 as they become the newest members of the SIUE Alumni Association. Using the virtual greeting card platform Kudoboard, leave a congratulatory message for this amazing group of students and feel free to include a fun picture or GIF!

Once all submissions are compiled, the completed Kudoboard will be sent via email to the graduates, who can print it out or post it on their social media platforms. Click here to leave your message for the Class of 2020!

Mark Your Calendars for Giving Tuesday–December 1

The Alumni Association is once again participating in #GivingTuesday to raise scholarship funds for SIUE students. This year, all who give to the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund will receive a special SIUE Alumni gift. More details to come! Follow us on our social media accounts to stay in the know!

Support the New Racial and Social Justice Scholarship Fund

As part of SIUE’s commitment to end racism and promote social justice, the University is proud to announce the creation of the Racial and Social Justice Scholarship. Each year, SIUE will select one or more students designated as “Scholars for Racial Justice.” Students will be selected based on a demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and a desire to deepen and enrich their dedication to this cause at SIUE and beyond.

We need your help in reaching our initial goal of $25,000 so that future Scholars for Racial Justice will be recognized for years to come. Click here to make your gift today!

Check out the Office of Online and Education Outreach website to view our upcoming offerings for the remainder of the fall semester. Sign up to receive a copy of our catalog by emailing [email protected]. Stay tuned for updates on the fall courses and professional development offerings in the upcoming weeks!