L-OADN
Outstanding Nurse Educator
Outstanding Associate Degree Nursing Student
In an effort to recognize the success of associate degree nursing graduates and students, the Louisiana Organization for Associate Degree Nursing has established two awards. Following a statewide nomination process the two recipients are announced at the annual L-OADN convention.
The recipients of these awards for 2004 were Interior Holmes, Student, Delgado Community College/Charity School of Nursing and Carol Leefe, Faculty, Delgado Community College / Charity School of Nursing.
CONGRATULATIONS INTERIOR AND CAROL
Pam Moore, L-OADN Secretary, and Chair, Awards Committee reads the names of the awards winners.
Patricia Egers, Dean/Provost Charity School of Nursing accepts the awards on behalf of the recipients.
Read what our Awards winners say about Associate Degree Education and Nursing:
INTERIOR HOLMES
Delgado Community College/Charity School of Nursing Graduate, May 2004
An Associate's Degree in Nursing will provide the integral foundation on which I plan to build my nursing career, and propel me towards an Advanced Degree in Nursing. I feel that once I receive my ADN from Charity School of Nursing, I will be fully equipped to function in the capacity of a well-trained nurse; for at Charity excellence is the rule not the exception. The prospects are endless.
The essential character traits of leadership, a caring attitude, and a professional demeanor are intertwined in the nursing profession. I take these components very seriously in both my educational and social experience. I use them as a driving force to provide exemplary care for my patients in the clinical setting, as well as excel academically. Going above and beyond is my personal motto. The future of the nursing profession involves, not only implementation of client care, but also the ability to multi-task and collaborate with others. Throughout my academic career, I have balanced the responsibility of caring for a family, working a full-time job, maintaining placement on the Dean's list, and participating in extracurricular organizations such as Charity Association of Student Nurses (CASN), Spectrum Club, Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Alpha Chi Honor Societies, and the Student Appeals Committee. I also function in the capacity of Peer Leader and Tutor. Since a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, I believe that it is my duty to serve as a motivator that's dedicated to directly influencing the lives of others.
In essence, my ADN degree will provide me an opportunity to continue this legacy of excellence by pursuing my life's dream of becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
CAROL LEEFE RN, MSN
INSTRUCTOR Delgado Community College/Charity School of Nursing
When I applied to the nursing program at Charity School of Nursing, I actually thought I was enrolling in the Diploma program that was so widely known and highly regarded. I was apprehensive when I initially learned that the program was changed to an Associate's Degree in Nursing affiliated with Delgado Community College. I was pleasantly surprised to find the same quality of instruction condensed into a 2 year program for college credit. As a successful graduate of an associate degree program, I found that this type of preparation helped me to be versatile and well organized, to think critically on my feet, and to communicate well.
The Associate's degree program at Charity School of Nursing/Delgado Community College was fast paced and included an enormous amount of knowledge to be assimilated in a short period of time. Even though the curriculum was challenging, I thought it was important to be involved in our pre-professional organization --Charity Association of Student Nurses (CASN). I held several offices in that organization and represented the school at several National Student Nurse's Association (NSNA) conventions as a delegate. At the 1992 annual NSNA convention in Phoenix, AZ, I presented and defended a resolution on the nurse's role in preservation of evidence in sexual assault cases. The resolution was adopted.
Being a graduate of the Associate's degree program from Charity School of Nursing/Delgado Community College has contributed to my success by affording me the opportunity to join the workforce earlier than a standard four year program. I started my nursing career at East Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH) as a nurse tech in the Well-Baby nursery. Upon graduating, I was hired as a staff nurse by East Jefferson General Hospital to work part-time on Pediatrics and part-time on the Post Partum/GYN unit. After two years, I became a charge nurse on the Pediatric unit and worked on that unit full time.
By 1997, I had decided to further my education in Nursing and started attending classes at the University of Phoenix. I realized during my course of study that I wanted to teach. My goals for my practicum included taking classes to be an instructor for CPR and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). During my practicum, I was mentored by a nurse educator in the Continuing Education department at EJGH. I graduated in January 2000 with a Master's of Science degree in Nursing and became a member of Sigma Theta Tau of which I am still a member.
Also in 2000, the Pediatric nursing staff was transferred to the PostPartum/GYN (4East) unit and four beds were designated for Pediatric patients. At that time I was designated as a preceptor and mentor for the 4 East staff in Pediatrics. I constructed and taught a three hour seminar on Pediatrics to the staff and became relief charge nurse on the 7p-7a shift. I also taught, and still teach, CPR and PALS classes. I employ relaxation techniques to assist my fellow team members in learning. I continue to be a part of the National CPR day whose mission is to teach CPR to members of the community and teach "CPR for Family and Friends" which instructs new parents and other caregivers on infant and child CPR.
Patiently I waited to find my niche in teaching. In the Fall of 2002, almost ten years after graduating, I was hired as an instructor in the first level of the Associate's degree program that I attended. I found my niche. I am the first graduate from Charity School of Nursing/Delgado Community College's Associate Degree program to return there to teach. I am able to identify with the students having had some of the instructors. I also find myself in the position of being a role model--a kind of "been there", "done that", with a little bit of "I can relate" and "look where I am now". Since becoming an instructor, I have become a member of the National League for Nursing, NOADN (National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing) and was active in the L-OADN convention held here in New Orleans in 2003. Because CASN was an organization I firmly believed in, I was excited to learn during my second semester here that they were looking for a new sponsor/advisor. For the past year I have been one of two CASN faculty advisors that promote the importance of belonging to a pre-professional organization.
I am honored to have been nominated by my colleagues for this award and appreciate your consideration. I feel that I have come full circle here at my Alma Mater and will always be proud to say that my basic nursing education is an associate's degree.