Bellin College would like to congratulate our Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences, and Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography students who have been named to the spring 2018 dean’s list. The dean’s list is composed of students who earned a grade point average of 3.5 or better in Bellin College courses, are in good disciplinary standing, and carry at least 6 credits.

Fifteen-month nursing student Tim Lautenslager has overcome adversity that will allow him to be the caring, empathetic nurse most patients want. Lautenslager worked for three years in Detroit, Mich. as a nuclear medicine technologist after graduating from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree. While researching the variety of specialties and the areas of nursing available, he decided to move back home to Green Bay, Wis. to earn his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Originally from Green Bay, Lautenslager knew about the 15-month program at Bellin College and thought the fast-track program was the best fit for him.

Each year a nursing faculty member is recognized for his or her outstanding service at Bellin College through the generosity of retired neurosurgeon, Dr. Hiro Nishioka. In 1995, Dr. Nishioka established the Nishioka Family Faculty Excellence Award in recognition of a faculty member who excels in the areas of instructional expertise, contributions to the advancement of the profession and nursing education, professional role modeling and a commitment to professional growth.

At the spring commencement ceremony, a graduating student is recognized for his or her exemplary commitment to the Bellin College values of excellence, integrity, community and caring with the Lucyanna Hitch Award for Excellence. The name Lucyanna Hitch aligns with excellence. She was a leader in the development of the baccalaureate nursing program, served on the board of trustees, and co-chaired one of the most successful endowment campaigns. Hitch’s legacy lives on through her many contributions to Bellin College.

Dana Stueber, BSN class of 2001, became interested in a nursing career later in life. She was in her late 30s when she graduated from the 15-month nursing program at Bellin College. A mother of three, Stueber had to make frequent visits to the doctor’s office and ER, and came up with her own home remedies.

“I wanted a four-year degree and needed to stay in Green Bay. Choosing Bellin College was the best decision I ever made. I recall saying at graduation that even if I am not able to work a single day as a nurse, the experience was worth it,” said Stueber.

 GREEN BAY, WI – Bellin College held its annual spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 9 a.m. at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts on UW-Green Bay’s campus. One-hundred-two Bellin College graduates received their degrees from the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) programs. Bellin College president and CEO Dr. Connie Boerst presided over the ceremony. The Leona Waraksa commencement address was given by Bellin Health System president and CEO George Kerwin. 

GREEN BAY, Wis. – This week is National Nursing Week. 

The week was created to celebrate the occupation, but that celebration is being over-shadowed by a shortage of nurses. 

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development says the state will need to fill more than 5,300 nursing positions in the next six years. 

Allison Lomax didn’t always want to be a nurse.

“I wanted to be a doctor,” Lomax says.

But here she is, awaiting graduation Saturday.

She already has a nursing position waiting for her, but the road to get there wasn’t easy.

“I did apply for the nursing program at Madison, it’s about a 40 percent acceptance rate,” says Lomax. “I got wait-listed and I didn’t want to wait, I wanted to go into the field, so I started looking at other options.”

Lomax was a part of the 50-80 percent of students who aren’t accepted into a UW system nursing program.

That’s why Bellin College became an option for Lomax.

“The unique thing about us here at the college is that they are a direct admit, there is no waiting,” says Bellin College president Connie Boerst. “They are entered into the nursing program immediately, so it’s a real plus. We get them in right away and we get them out and back into the workforce much quicker.”

Hospitals are aware of the shortage.

Half of the nurses in the United States are 50 or older and plan to retire in the next 10 to 15 years.

Baby boomers are getting older and will need medical attention which means they need more nurses.

But there are ways they can entice more people to join the field.

“As individuals join our organization we look and offer tuition reimbursement,” says chief nursing officer for Bellin Hospital Laura Hieb. “We have many folks who may start off in a nursing assistant type of role and they aspire to be a nurse and so within the organization we would support that through tuition reimbursement.”

Though the statistics may be disparaging, there is hope.

“I know a lot of people are learning more about nursing now than when I was in high school,” says Lomax. “A lot of people are going into nursing programs now which I think is awesome and I think we just need more promotion for the field of nursing.”

Bellin College is holding its graduation Saturday. 

102 students will be receiving their diploma.

From a young age, Matt Green’s dream job was to work in physical education. That dream came from a life of surfing on the shores of Western Australia and a passion for fitness. Over the years, Green’s direction changed. His mother was a nurse, and his wife is currently a travel nurse. Being surrounded by nurses most of his life, he turned to a new career path—nursing.

We wanted to take a few minutes to thank all nurses for your relentless commitment to the field of nursing and the exemplary courage you show in the times of greatest need.

The caring, compassion and selflessness you embody every day you don your scrubs (or other work attire) is truly making a difference in the lives of your patients, their families and the communities in which you live and work.

New Bellin College nursing graduates will be making their way into the field – hoping to learn the ropes from veterans like yourself. The energy and excitement they exude, their successes, along with the memories they have enjoyed during their time with us, will make them great assets to whatever sector of nursing they choose to work in.

Happy Nurses Week from all of us at Bellin College!

On Monday, April 2 Bellin College, Bellin Health and the Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care co-sponsored an evening program on Human Trafficking for healthcare professionals. In October 2017 there was a news report of more than 80 people being arrested in Wisconsin as part of a nationwide human trafficking operation. Sixteen of those arrests happened in Brown County. Sadly, that was not unique. Earlier in July, 35 men were arrested throughout Brown County. Dawn Spang, outreach coordinator for EyeHeart World and Sgt. Matt Wilson from the Brown County Sheriff’s Department presented to area professionals at Bellin College on what they need to know to identify victims of trafficking and what resources are available to support survivors.