ANNOUNCEMENTS NEW FACULTY Megan England has joined the staff in the School of Nursing, working on the Clinical-Academic Network for Developing Leaders grant, or CANDL, with the goal of forming innovative academicpractice partnerships. She has worked as a nurse practitioner in the Pediatric Emergency Room at the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger as well as a nurse practitioner at Erlanger Primary Care on Lookout Mountain and in Ringgold, both in Georgia. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kennesaw State University in Atlanta and her Master of Family Nurse Clinician at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tenn. Rachel Nall has been appointed as the Nurse Anesthesia Simulation Coordinator in the School of Nursing. She is a graduate of UTC, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing. Since earning her certification as a nurse anesthetist, she has worked with Anesthesia Consultants Exchange at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. Her anesthesia focus has been in pediatrics, cardiothoracic, orthopedic trauma, general, neuroskeletal and gastroenterology. Having earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, her first job was freelance writing for various health news outlets and pharmaceutical companies. Laura Tyndall joins the faculty as the Assistant Program Coordinator for the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration. Dr. Tyndall earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama Huntsville, a certificate from the Erlanger School of Anesthesia and her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctorate of Nursing Practice from UTC. She has served as adjunct faculty for the program for many years. Prior to joining the School of Nursing faculty, she was employed by Anesthesiology Consultants Exchange, P.C. at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, where her focus was in orthopedics. She has served as a preceptor for UTC students and recently was the clinical coordinator, a joint appointment with Erlanger and the UTC School of Nursing.
4
ON CALL
2020
From the RN-C ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR As associate director of the School of Nursing, I have the pleasure to work with a faculty that is devoted to providing quality education as we prepare future nurses. Our students rise to the challenge and work diligently in order to transition into the profession. This hard work is evidenced by a 98% first time NCLEX pass rate for academic year 2019-2020. The success is due to the dedication and hard work from both the students and faculty who are developing students who are practice ready. Even though these students are in a rigorous program, our May 2020 exit interviews indicate that 100% of them would recommend the UTC School of Nursing. As with the rest of the world, the pandemic caused some changes within the school. Our focus continues to be providing a quality education in a safe environment. Some of the changes made across the UTC campus are social distancing in the classroom, self-checks before coming to campus, wearing face masks while on campus and a cleaning regimen before and after each class. Within the School of Nursing, more changes occurred in order to mitigate exposure. Each student was provided N95 masks, a face shield and goggles to complement the hospital PPE used in clinicals. In simulation experiences, the students wear face shields and masks and limit the time in close proximity to each other. During lab time, the students work in pairs instead of large groups. Specific practice times in the lab have been assigned to reduce exposure and allow for cleaning before and after equipment use. The students have been very flexible to these changes. The faculty have been supportive and adaptable as well. If students are ill or quarantined, they may still attend their classes remotely, ensuring that no one falls behind. The faculty mentors have had extra meetings with their student mentee to provide support during these uncertain times. As we plan for the future, our goal is to maintain a tradition of excellence. We will strive to provide the quality education UTC School of Nursing that preceded us for over 40 years. Yet we will be adaptable and responsive to the ever-changing environment. —Angel Collier, DNP, RN-C Associate Director UTC.EDU/NURSING
