by Erin Mathiak

Wow! What exciting times this is for the nursing program at Wisconsin Lutheran College! From the inaugural class entering its sophomore year in the program to our new nursing professor, Professor Sheryl Scott, to a new class of nursing students, there is plenty for the students to be excited about! We are certainly blessed!

Our first Student Nursing Association meeting of the year started out with plenty on the agenda. After everyone introduced themselves, the group got down to business. A T-shirt design committee was chosen to design shirts for SNA as well as the nursing program. We can’t wait to show our pride and excitement to the student body and community by wearing the shirts! New members were also encouraged to participate in the Granville Neighborhood Health Center, a free clinic which serves uninsured members of the Granville Neighborhood. GNHC allows nursing students to gain clinical experience and serve in whatever way they can, whether through child care, set up and take down, or at a vital sign station. The experience is rewarding, worthwhile, and beneficial to all who come: patient and provider alike.

The next big event for SNA will be our first ever food drive in November. After collecting non-perishable food items for a few weeks in food bins around campus, SNA will have a one-day food drop-off in our front circle, in the hopes that members of the community will contribute to the drive. SNA hopes the inaugural food drive will be a smashing success!

I am very happy to announce our newest addition to the Nursing faculty, Sheryl Scott!

Sheryl comes to WLC from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Milwaukee, where she has been involved with staff development and hospital safety. She has a special expertise in both Health Literacy and Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN).

Sheryl will be integrally involved with the ongoing development of our nursing program. One area of emphasis is the ramp up the new nursing laboratory, scheduled to open in January 2010. Besides teaching nursing courses, Sheryl will be assisting with curriculum development and the accreditation process.

Her enthusiasm and vitality are delightful characteristics in my new colleague! Welcome aboard, Sheryl