827 students*

Students by Class Level

Freshmen = 150 (132 Columbus; 18 Fairfield)

Sophomores = 151 (128 Columbus, 23 Fairfield)
Juniors = 180 (163 Columbus, 17 Fairfield)

Seniors = 135

SDAP = 70

RN-BSN = 58

Masters = 65 (including 5 in post-master's online education track)

Dietetic Interns = 8

RN Refresher = 10

*-numbers are approximate.

From the desk of Barbara Barta, MS, RN,

Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Programs

We welcome you and your student back to Mount Carmel for the 2010-2011 academic year! We have exciting changes in technology that I hope you have heard about. We are initiating a new academic management system for students this fall that is accessible through CARMELink.  We are pleased that this system is now in place. In the very near future, students will be able to register online for courses each semester.

With the growth in student population, we have several new faculty members who will be in class and clinical experiences with your student.  They bring strong nursing knowledge and clinical expertise and are eager to work with students.   I am confident they will provide strong educational experiences. I look forward to a good year with lots of learning going on!

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be part of your student's professional education.  

It's an exciting time for Mount Carmel College of Nursing, and an exciting time for the nursing profession. The 2010-11 academic year will feature the launch of new programs, new offerings and benefits for students.

New Programs

The nurse-managed health center on the Mount Carmel West-MCCN campus opened September 15. Called the Nursing Center for Family Health, the facility will provide clinical opportunities for MCCN students. The Center is the recipient of a Cardinal Health Grant for $25,000 which will be used to purchase equipment. Students can be seen in the Nursing Center, if referred by Kathy Walters, MS, RNC, CNNP, Student Health Nurse.

The Family Nurse Practitioner Track for the master's program and the online RN-BSN completion program have a projected start up date in early 2011.

Student Health Promotion

The exercise room has been expanded in the lower level of Marian Hall and updated equipment added. Student Health 101, the online interactive monthly magazine provided as a service to the students from MCCN, promotes wellness. The resident advisors in the on-campus student apartments have been provided with a first aid course, first aid treatment charts, first aid kits, and a Red Cross first aid book for reference.

Multiple College Activities

"Thanks to the efforts of Director of Student Life, Colleen Cipriani, this will again be a very active year for College activities.  I encourage all students to take advantage of all the College offers," Dr. Schiele said.

Health Insurance Contacts

Initiated last year, the College continues to offer potential contacts for you to consider if you are in the market for health insurance for you and your family. If you are interested, please consult the letter sent to you this summer for names and contact information. Please note that there are other insurance companies that can assist you. We encourage you to contact several insurance agents to determine who has the best health coverage for you within your budget.

The President's Door: Always Open

"I invite each of you to stop by my office and say hello.  My door is always open," said Dr. Schiele.

Among the 58 students enrolled in Mount Carmel College of Nursing at Fairfield Medical Center (MCCN-FMC) for the 2010-11 academic year are 17 juniors, 23 sophomores, and 18 freshmen.

Cheryl Mace; MSN, MALM, RN coordinator

"I have high hopes for the MCCN-FMC program, planning to add a maximum of 24 new students per year." said Cheryl Mace, MSN, MALM, RN, new coordinator of the program.

"The MCCN-Fairfield program brings the same Mount Carmel nursing education as offered in our Columbus location to the Lancaster, Ohio, area. The program is in good hands under the leadership of Cheryl Mace, who has served our students for many years," said Ann Schiele, PhD, RN, President/Dean.

"This area is well-served by the MCCN-FMC program.  Many of our students plan to stay and practice nursing here," Mace said. The MCCN-FMC program is a collaboration among MCCN, Fairfield Medical Center (FMC), and Ohio University-Lancaster.

"We welcome the MCCN-FMC students and their families to our MCCN family and are committed to providing them with the very best collegiate experience. We are here on behalf of all students and welcome their input and ideas," says Dr. Schiele.  "I wish you all a wonderful and successful academic year."

Celebrating Excellence in Nursing Education

Mount Carmel's traditional kick-off to the academic year-Convocation-was an inspiring beginning and a salute to student effort and scholarship.  

The student flag bearers at the ceremony at New Albany Church of the Resurrection were Brad Marsh, carrying the Mount Carmel College of Nursing flag; senior Patrick Smith; junior and MCCN-FMC student Ashley DeGoey; sophomore Nadia Mohammad; freshman Katie Dunlap; and Second Degree Accelerated Program student Justin Kelly.

SGA president Joe Derr delivered the opening remarks. Lori Lindsey and Joshua Leasure read Scripture. There was a musical reflection by Chelsi Cummings. Rachel McMillan and Ian Weidner joined Shirley Cooley, MS, RN, Assistant Professor, in offering prayers and blessings.

President/Dean Ann Schiele, PhD, RN, declared the opening of the 2010-11 academic year. Kathy Espy, BA, Director of Diversity and Community Initiatives, announced the scholarship recipients and recognized our generous donors.

Congratulations to the scholarship recipients and many thanks to the donors who help make excellence in nursing education possible for so many students.

For more on Convocation 2010, visit our photo gallery.

The new resident Meet and Greet was held in June to give campus apartment residents and resident advisors a chance to get to know each other. The students did "Speed Roommating" to get to know each other and pick potential roommates.  The weekend offered numerous activities, including a visit to the Franklin Park Conservatory.

Provided free as a service to our students and their parents by Mount Carmel College of Nursing, Student Health 101 is a monthly online, interactive magazine geared to college students and covering topics related to health promotion and college life.

Reading the first issue of Student Health 101 are (l-r) Julia White, Olivia Sapia, and Devon Baldwin.

"Students can submit videos of themselves talking about, for instance, how they deal with stress or sharing a favorite recipe," said Student Health Nurse, Kathy Walters, MS, RNC, CNNP.

Student Health 101 also offers MCCN students a link to students from other colleges and universities from across the nation who also subscribe. "Our students will get the perspective of students nationwide on topics of interest to them," added Walters.

For Parents

A companion piece to Student Health 101 is a condensed version of each issue sent to students' parents who sign up for it.

In addition to the five or six articles, our issue will include information particular to MCCN. "This is a really cool service provided by the College for the students," concluded Walters.

MCCN-FMC students and faculty had a great time at the annual

picnic held in Lancaster. The picnic was a perfect opportunity to

reconnect, meet new students and welcome the start

of a new academic year.

Honorees were chosen from Mount Carmel hospitals, services and Mount Carmel College of Nursing- all excelling in the spirit of care, compassion, leadership and teamwork. 

Five MCCN faculty honored with an Excellence in Nursing Award are (l-r):
Kathleen Lennon, Tricia Whitney, Bev Gish, Brenda Beyer, and Ann Waterman.

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As difficult as it may be, it is time to let go once again.  Just as you were thrilled, and a little nervous, with your child's first step, going away to college is another first step.  Allow your student to take that step toward adulthood, to experience new things, to develop as the awesome person you know he or she can be. Support your student's efforts at independence and celebrate accomplishments together.

Encourage your student to be involved with campus activities, club sports, and service projects. Help your student to make Mount Carmel College a home.  Encourage them to learn about and utilize on-campus resources:   Class Advisors, Instructors, the Library staff, the Academic Success Center, the Office of Student Life and Campus Ministry, to name just a few.

Support the development of your student becoming an effective decision maker. When your student shares a concern or problem, ask, "So, what are you going to do about it?" Be a listening ear and an advisor, but refrain from stepping in to solve the problem.

Confronting challenges, with your support, will help students become effective navigators of college life and help them to grow increasingly self-sufficient.  

Read more about student development.

Mount Carmel College of Nursing administers the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) series of assessment tools to all nursing students throughout the pre-licensure program.

As a first step, all new students are required to complete the Critical Thinking Entrance Assessment and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS-V). Detailed information is included with the orientation information mailed to the student's home address.

Fifteen entering fall semester students with the highest overall TEAS-V scores will each be awarded a $500 scholarship. To be eligible, a student must achieve one of the top overall scores and place at the proficient level or higher on each subtest of the TEAS-V (reading, math, science, English/language usage). All new students who score below the proficient level on the math section will be automatically registered in a basic math course (MATH 090).

Substance Abuse Testing

Mount Carmel College of Nursing complies with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989, which is designed to prevent the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol by students and employees. The College Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program is described in detail in the Student Handbook that students receive at the start of each new academic year.

During their first few weeks of enrollment in the College, all new students will be tested for use of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse. Drug/alcohol screen results are kept in strict confidence. The fee for this testing will be charged to the student's MCCN account.

Any student who refuses to be screened for non-prescribed controlled or illegal substance and/or alcohol, on initial or follow up tests, will be considered to have tested positive and will be required to follow the substance abuse procedures, as outlined in the Student Handbook.

Student Dress Policy

The student dress code is enforced with the goal of a high standard in professional self presentation. It is important for Mount Carmel students to recognize their role as representatives of the College and the profession of nursing in all settings. Appearance and self presentation must be commensurate with professional expectations. Details of the Student Dress Policy can be found in the Student Handbook.

All MCCN students are issued identification (ID) badges at the start of their first year. Badges serve a number of functions, including identifying students in the College and providing access to College services. Students must wear ID badges at all times while in the role of a Mount Carmel student.

Failure to comply with the dress code may result in disciplinary actions including, but not limited to, dismissal from the classroom or clinical site. Any adaptations to this policy due to cultural or health reasons are to be negotiated with the Assistant Dean.

FERPA Privacy Information for Parents

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, sets forth requirements regarding the privacy of student records. FERPA governs release of records maintained by an educational institution and access to those records.

When a student reaches the age of 18 or begins attending a postsecondary institution, regardless of age, FERPA rights transfer from the parent to the student. This launches a significant change in parent/student roles when it comes to education records.

In a higher education environment, the basic concept is that the student is the "owner" and the institution the "keeper" of the record. Parents and guardians have no automatic right of access to student education records at the post-secondary level. This right is limited solely to the student. Student authorization for an institution to communicate with parents about tuition and financial records applies only to those specific records and does not include academic or other student records without the student's specific written consent prior to release of information.

Colleges and universities comply with FERPA regulations by dealing exclusively with the student. The Office of Records and Registration acts as the Custodian of Records for Mount Carmel College of Nursing. Parents are provided a FERPA Privacy Information brochure at New Student Orientation and upon request. Additional details can be found on the College website (www.mccn.edu).

Incoming freshman or new transfer students:

Fill out your blue MCCN Health Form and turn in to the Student Health Nurse as soon as possible.  A MCCN personal first aid kit will be provided to you when your completed health form is received in my office. Required information to be documented on your form:

• Dated physical signed by physician or Nurse Practitioner.

• A valid tetanus shot (given every 10 years).

• Dates of two MMR injections (measles, mumps, and rubella) and results of a rubella blood titer (to confirm immunity).

• Dates of two varicella injections (chicken pox) or a varicella blood titer to confirm immunity.

• Dates of three Hepatitis B injections and results of a Hepatitis B blood titer to confirm immunity.  You may also sign a waiver if you want to refuse getting the series, but I really don't recommend that as Hepatitis is NOT a disease you want to get!  Hepatitis vaccines are available in the Student Health Office for $51.50 per injection ($154.50 for the series of 3 injections).  Call me to make an appointment if you plan on receiving this at the college.

• A "2-step" TB skin testing.  This is two separate TB skin tests given 7-14 days apart.  This can also be done via the Student Health office for free at MCCN (charge included in the Semester General Fee).  For individuals that cannot receive a TB skin test (previous + test or individual who received BCG in the past) a CXR report is needed, and you will have to fill out a questionnaire provided by the Student Health Office.

Students planning on living in residence halls (apartments):

A meningitis vaccine is HIGHLY recommended.  You may also sign a waiver for the meningitis vaccine, but due to the seriousness of meningitis, I strongly encourage all students who plan to live in the apartments to receive a meningitis vaccine.  Meningitis vaccines are available in the Student Health Office for $60.50.  Call me to make an appointment to receive the vaccine PRIOR to moving in!

Returning students (sophomores, juniors, seniors):

TB skin tests have been conducted free of charge (charge included in the Semester General Fee) by the Student Health Nurse. 

All students:

Influenza vaccines will be available at no cost (based on availability of the vaccine).  Dates of vaccine clinics will be communicated to the student body as soon as the Student Health Office obtains an allotment of vaccines from the hospital pharmacy.

Kathy Walters, MS, RNC, NNP-BC, Student Health Nurse; 614-234-5408; kwalters@mchs.com

As holistic development is an underlying theme of a Mount Carmel College of Nursing education, the Holistic Development Model is designed to explain and clarify how personal growth and development occurs outside the classroom through participation in co-curricular activities and events.  Students may request a co-curricular activity summary to be used in conjunction with their academic transcript to give a complete picture of an MCCN graduate.

The Holistic Development Model is a proactive approach to living an optimal lifestyle.

* Six Dimensions of Holistic Development:

Community

Involvement, Service, Self-Efficacy, Citizenship, Family, Social Network, Environment, Sustainability, Political;

• Voting in college and national elections

• Participating in MCCN community service and outreach programs

• Participating in Campus Ministry's Avondale Projects

• Serving as a Camp Counselor for Camp Mount Carmel

 Achievement

Quest for Knowledge, Study Skills, Time Management, Openness to New Ideas, Capacity to Question and Think Critically;

• Participating in Sigma Theta Tau

• Awards Received  (.i.e., Senior Awards)

• Tutoring Avondale and MCCN students

• Participating in study groups

 Relationships

Appreciation of Similarities and Differences of Races, Cultures, Lifestyle Differences; Strive for harmony, trust, loyalty and stimulation in relationships and balance between being alone, being with others, and being in a crowd;

• Attending and Participating in Lunch and Learn Programs

• Participating in Campus Ministry Retreats

• Participating in College Mission Trips

• Participating in student activities

 Moral

Values Clarification Programs, Ethics, Principles, Religion and Spirituality;

• Participating in Campus Ministry prayer services and programs

• Attending and participating in Ethics conferences

• Participating in exploring issues through Social Justice panel discussions

• Participating in study circles

 Emotional

Assertiveness Training, Stress Management, Acceptance of Sexual Identity of Self and Others, Life-planning to achieve balance between study, work and play;

• Developing and improving manners and etiquette

• Discovering personal interests and passions

• Developing independence

• Accepting one's self-image

 Leadership

Decision Making, Vision, Motivation, Goal Setting, Service Leadership, Facilitation and Development Skills;

• Participating in Student Government Association

• Participating in Student Nurse Association

• Participating in the Student Ambassador Program

• Attending and participating in leadership conferences

• Serving on College committees

*This is not an exhaustive list of all campus activities, development opportunities or personal growth potential.

The Soul of a Nursing Student

Your children come to Mount Carmel College of Nursing to engage in a profound metamorphosis. Already wonderful human beings, they hope to emerge from their years at Mount Carmel as competent and compassionate nurses.  That transformation is no trivial endeavor.  Their teachers watch them work, and struggle, and learn, and question, and make mountains of information their own.  Their clinical instructors and preceptors mold, form, and sculpt these wonderful people into even more wonderful nurses.

The predictable happens as well: there are success and failures; there are good days and bad days; the rest of their life continues: they fall in and out of love; they experience triumph and tragedy; children are born; loved ones die.

Your nursing student child is not only not immune to the vagaries of life - but - because they have the SOUL OF A NURSING STUDENT, they experience life with a deeper sense of its significance.  They know that they are pursuing more than a job - more even than a career.  They know that what they will do with their skills - indeed with their life - is something of God.  

We watch them care for their bodies; we watch them enrich their minds; we watch them develop important qualities of heart - and we watch them nourish the deepest part of themselves - that sacred place where they meet the God who is calling them.

At Mount Carmel College of Nursing, your sons and daughters are on holy ground.

 Pete McClernon, College Chaplain; 614-234-1590; pmcclernon@mchs.com.

Event Benefits MCCN Students

The Mount Carmel Foundation hosted the 16^th annual Golf Invitational on July 12, at The Lakes Golf and Country Club in Westerville, Ohio. Funds raised benefit MCCN students, men and women pursuing their dreams of becoming professional registered nurses.

This year's invitational brought in 132 players representing 43 central Ohio business and community organizations and raised $98,000. The presenting sponsors were AEP, HHA Services, and PNC.

Students assisted at the outing and shared their nursing experience with donors. The proceeds will promote educational opportunities and fund scholarships at MCCN.

"This event generates awareness throughout our community of the College's significant impact on the nursing profession and central Ohio healthcare," said Jan Burkey, MCCN Director of Development.

The invitational will be held again next year at The Lakes Golf and Country Club on July 11. If your business or company is interested in participating, contact Jan Burkey, Director of Development, at 614-234-3837 or jburkey@mchs.com.

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• The MCCN Online Campus Store can also be accessed through the commercial MCCN website under the "Current Students" header.
  
• For those who want to do on-site shopping, please stop by the campus store located on the 4th floor in Marian Hall across from the Student Services office.