Seventy-three "extra" students graduated with bachelor's degrees from the Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing in December. These students started two years ago as the first mid-year cycle admission in many years. The university supported this extra cohort in recognition of the acute shortage of nurses in the Portland metropolitan area as well as statewide. The extra bachelor's class was admitted in part to fill needed nursing jobs due to several health systems opening new hospital space. This graduating class has been offered employment at OHSU Hospital and Clinics, as well as other health systems around Portland. Twenty-six students have accepted jobs at OHSU. Some are still deciding on job offers from OHSU, and some are going to other health systems. All except six are staying in Oregon.
"It is wonderful news for health care in Oregon that OHSU School of Nursing is infusing our community with 73 additional new nurses. The university supported this extra cohort in recognition of the construction of new beds in the metropolitan area," said School of Nursing Dean Kathleen Potempa.
Tracy Sammons is one of the graduates from the additional class. "In my experience as a student at OHSU, in all my clinicals and classes, OHSU really supported the nursing students. I am so excited about getting my Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. It opens so many doors for me," she said. She will soon be starting her career in the OHSU Hospital Intensive Care Unit.
Next Spring OHSU will be opening 120 beds and eight new operating suites in the new Patient Care Facility.
OHSU graduates about 175 nurses with Bachelor of Science degrees each June.
The School of Nursing has been a leader in addressing the looming nursing shortage in Oregon. The next a new program on the agenda is the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education program - a statewide partnership among OHSU and community college. The program is expected to double the number of nurses in the state in 10 years.
The OHSU School of Nursing ranks sixth in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report, and its midwifery program ranks first.
As Oregon's only academic health and research university, OHSU works to avert and solve shortages of health care providers statewide, especially in underserved communities. In addition to finding solutions to dental, nursing and physician shortages, OHSU has a role in identifying upcoming needs in allied health fields and works with community colleges and other universities to ensure that adequate training programs are available and accessible.
The graduating students are:
From Beaverton: Sandra Joachim Cristina McKeever; Alaina Pomeroy, Katie Wright;
from Clackamas: Katrina Gent, Canby; Surathin Phitwong;
from Corvallis: Jennifer Keys; from Eugene: Jennifer Bailey and Elizabeth Poytress;
from Gresham: Katie McDermeit, Gervais; and Nicole Patrick;
from Hillsboro: Jodie Hall and Nancy Kirkpatrick;
from Klamath Falls: Oakley Hager;
from lake Oswego: Shari Wong;
from North Plains: Nancy Bral;
from Portland: Tara AvRuskin; Justina Barberini; Katie Beachwood; Kate Bennett; Michelle Burrows; Anne Buta; Mei Chan; Winnie Chang; Steven Childress; Jay Ellefson; Nicole Fowler; Theresa Fowler; Mindy Fugate; Carol Godt; Holly Hill; Sarah Hoffbuhr; Amy Johnston; Lisa Jones; Christina Kaufman; Kevin LeClair, Karen Lynn; Sarah Mahaley; John McCann; Wynona Mix; Brianne Mosbauer; Phuong Nguyen; Carrie O'Banion; Doreen O'Kane; Jennifer Pasquarello; Mishawn Pedersen; Rebecca Porter; and Shannon Schupp.