Recognizing National Nurses Week at Genesee Community College

Article by Laurel Sanger, RN Genesee Community College Director of Nursing

Batavia, NY (04/19/2018) — With nearly three million nurses currently working in the United States today, it is hard to believe-but healthcare occupations and industries are projected to have the fastest growing employment rate through 2024. It is the right time to consider a career as a nurse, aide, therapist or medical technician. Genesee Community College has degrees in Nursing, Physical Therapy Assistant, Polysomnographic Technology (the study of sleep disorders), Respiratory Care and Veterinary Technology providing a variety of pathways to launch a life-long, well-paying career in healthcare.

Honoring National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6 - May 12, 2018, GCC is excited to announce the establishment of its newest scholarship benefiting nursing students. To support the scholarship, which was founded by the GCC Nursing Alumni Committee, the College is hosting the First Annual Gatsby Gala on May 4, 2018 at The Batavia Downs. The Gala is being organized by a committee of GCC Nursing Alumni to support new scholarship opportunities.

The new GCC Nursing Alumni Scholarship will help current students overcome financial obstacles and graduate as qualified and prepared candidates to meet the overwhelming workforce need of the healthcare industry in our community. To attend the Gala, or contribute to the scholarship, contact alumni@genesee.edu.

As nursing is one of the highest in-demand jobs across the country, GCC's Nursing Associate Degree prepares students to take the national Registered Nurse (RN) licensing examination. New legislation in New York State now requires all RNs to earn a bachelor's degree within ten years of their licensure. With the College's robust transfer opportunities, articulation agreements and the seamless SUNY transfer system, GCC nursing students and graduates are well-aligned for long-term career success.

In 2010, GCC established its new Nursing Department within the newly opened Dr. Bruce A. Holm Upstate MedTech Centre located across the street from GCC's Batavia Campus. Students gain hands-on practical experience in this facility using state-of-the-art labs and medical equipment. Nursing students apply classroom lessons and theory to high fidelity simulators (their patients). Using these manufactured human replicas, the students learn about making comprehensive nursing assessments and follow-up with interventions that demonstrate real medical procedures, techniques and treatment.

While today's students and nursing faculty enjoy modern teaching and learning tools, GCC's Nursing Program has been making a difference in the lives of patients and hospitals, near and far, for more than 40 years. One of the first graduates from the program, Janet Ivison, Class of 1974, came to GCC with a passion to take care of others, including her own family. Janet found exactly what she needed at GCC. With the flexibility of night time classes and the mini 1-2 week long courses, Janet earned her Nursing degree in two years, and then spent 14 years working in a local emergency room and 10 years at Genesee County Health Department where she really felt she made a difference working as a nurse.

"I remember a young girl who had been injured walking on the railroad tracks. She was unresponsive with no pulse, but I wouldn't give up," Janet recalls. "We saved her young life that day and I will never forget it."

The emergency room brought a variety of patients and injuries through the years, but she enjoyed the challenge and still remembers many incidents. "I've always felt called to care for others and seeing those I've treated go on has been such a rewarding experience. Several years ago, a young man showed up at my door with flowers to thank me. I had been at the Genesee County Fair the night he had fallen while wrestling with some friends in the horse barns. I sat on the ground and braced his broken neck until an ambulance arrived."

Though some days working as a nurse can be draining and demanding, most find the overall profession not only fulfilling and rewarding, but it provides a solid means to support their own family with unlimited career options and incredible advancement opportunities. Nurses can choose to focus on specialties--from neonatal to geriatric, surgery to emergency, podiatry to pediatrics-there are many areas to study. For those who prefer variety - there's family medicine. The nursing profession offers a wide array of work schedules, from daytime to evening to per diem. Nursing jobs are available around the world, in a variety of different settings and many nurses continue their education to become healthcare administrators, nurse practitioners or nurse educators.

To support the nurses of tomorrow in the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans or Wyoming County community, attend or support the Gatsby Gala on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 5:30 at the Batavia Downs. All proceeds go to the student scholarship fund. For details call 585-343-0055 est. 6265 or go to:

https://www.genesee.edu/home/offices/alumni/alumni-events/gatsbygala/.

Finally, GCC would like to encourage the community to share stories celebrating the difference nurses have made in their lives during this special recognition week.

Send your story to marcom@genesee.edu and the College's Marketing and Communications Office will post the stories on its social media channels. Please be sure to include your name and contact information.

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Editor's Note: Laurel Sanger, RN has been the director of GCC Nursing Program since 2016.

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For a photograph of Director Sanger or GCC's nursing labs, please contact Donna Rae Sutherland, GCC's associate director of Marketing Communications at 585-343-0055 x6616 or email dsutherland@genesee.edu