The Health Education Center held its first Dine with the Dean LPN to RN Transitional Program information session this month on May 23. Current LPN students from Pinellas Technical College and Erwin Technical College were invited to the dinner to learn about their next steps to become a registered nurse after they receive their LPN license.
Provost Dr. Eric Carver opened up the evening with a warm welcome to HEC before guests were served dinner.
LPN to RN Overview
As the guests dined, College of Nursing Dean Susan Baker provided an overview of admission standards, statistics, the application process, program details, college resources, and future job statistics. In addition, she covered important considerations regarding time management, critical thinking, budget, drug and background screens, immunizations, and essential functions needed to complete the program.
BSN Academic Chair Dr. Louisana Louis and ADN Academic Chairs Anna Neuzil and Jacqueline Hawkins-Johnson also shared insight on the LPN to RN program curriculum and expectations.
Simulation Center for Excellence in Nursing Education
The guests then toured the Simulation Center for Excellence in Nursing Education (SCENE). This is a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art simulation lab providing a realistic clinical setting for students to learn and master nursing skills in a safe, non-threatening teaching/learning environment.
SCENE fosters the development of critical thinking, which is essential for the professional nurse.
To wrap up the evening, guests were treated to dessert and coffee while Ms. Ayanna Rowe, Student Success Specialist detailed the admissions requirement guide and checklist.
Guests remained to ask questions and were provided with information to make one on one advising appointments at the Health Education Center.
The evening was deemed a success by many and even included several instructors from Pinellas Technical College who wanted to be able to share information about SPC with more of their students.
Carmenita Booze, RN who is an instructor at Pinellas Technical College summed up the evening with a note of thanks. “It was a wonderful informational session. I came away with a lot of information to share with students at Pinellas Technical College. Thank you all for the warm welcome and great hospitality.” Dean Baker was pleased with the excitement and turnout, suggesting we hold this as an annual event.