We were thrilled to welcome another group of UVI students to hone their nursing skills at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital-Bradford. Ten senior students and two instructors were at Whittier for clinical rotations from October 22nd to November 1st. This group was composed of students from both UVI campuses: the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.
The partnership between Whittier and UVI began in December 2021 and reached fruition with the first groups of student nurses who visited Whittier in March and April 2023 to gain clinical experience before graduation.
Heather Grondin, BSN, CCM, Director of Nursing, said: “The partnership with UVI supports Whittier’s strong desire to support the Profession of Nursing. Our young nurses need safe, constructive, and controlled environments to learn and be challenged in. Whittier provides hands-on, real-life experience to these students that they otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience. St. Croix and St. Thomas are beautiful islands filled with loving and resilient people. What they lack in resources we hope to provide through this immersive experience.”
Mary Beverley A. Lansiquot, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN, FAAN Dean, UVI School of Nursing added: “The School of Nursing remains excited about the opportunities provided to our students by Whittier to gain clinical experiences at the Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital (WRH) in Bradford, MA. Both our students and faculty were impressed with the support they received while assigned to provide nursing care to patients with various medical conditions at the WRH. UVI SON is grateful to Mr. Philip Arcidi and the WRH team for their continued support to enhance the quality of the education provided to the students who are on track to graduate in May 2023.”
The students spent six days working in the hospital – a full eight hours each day. These clinical days gave the students the opportunity to enhance their nursing skills and learn principles such as:
- Leadership in nursing
- Inter-professional communication
- Teamwork/collaboration
- Delegation skills
- Effective patient-centered care outcomes
Brittany Lomanno, BSN, RN, Clinical Educator said: “This was an extremely engaged group that took initiative on the IRF and LTACH units to make the most of their clinical time here with us. The students and the instructors completed medication passes, wound care and worked collaboratively with our nursing team to provide excellent patient-centered care. It’s rewarding to be in a facility that can provide such great clinical opportunity for the UVI students whom require these clinical hours in order to graduate.”
While at Whittier, the students were able to use some free time to study for their other classes and some students explored around the Boston area as well.
Director of Nursing Heather Grondin commented: “These students embody courage, curiosity, and resilience, all of which are basic staples of all successful nurses.” We hope this partnership continues for many years to come: providing opportunities to students from the Virgin Islands to be prepared for their roles as entry-level staff nurses wherever they decide to begin their careers.
Congratulations to these ten nursing students!
Top photo: the students at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Bradford. From left to right: Bob Iannaco, Administrator, Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital-Bradford; Anna Sailot; instructor Patricia Burks; Ashly Ravariere; Tiffany Khadoo; Demore Cole; Brittany Lomanno, BSN, RN, Clinical Educator, Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital-Bradford; Rhonda Fleming; Tyler James; Shenique Davis; Tamille Joseph; Careema Lionel; Heather Grondin, BSN, CCM, Director of Nursing Services, Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital-Bradford. Front row: Instructor Brian Costa, Tanisha Augustine. Photos at bottom: Tamille Joseph, Anna Sailot, Demore Cole, and Tanisha Augustine pose for a photo on the job at Whittier. The Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.
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