PRAIRIE | MEGAN GERBER - CLINICAL WORK: Senior nursing major Michelle Waide spends time working in a community clinic to enhance her nursing knowledge. Waide will graduate in May 2010 and hopes to specialize in obstetrics after graduation. She plans on beginning her career at a Panhandle hospital or clinic.

For some students, college studies consist of subjects in business, fine arts, education or another field of interest. But for one particular department, most of their studies are spent working with patients at a local hospital or clinic

The West Texas A&M University nursing department engages students in six semesters of classes.

These classes comprise subjects such as Foundations, Medical-Surgical and Psychiatric Nursing, Obstetrics and Pediatrics and Critical Care Community Clinics. Finally, during their last semester, students take the Senior Leadership course where they are given the choice to pick an area of the hospital or community that interests them most, similar to an internship.

“Our curriculum prepares students to be a generalist type nurse,” Helen Reyes, department head of nursing, said.

“We go over all of the areas so when they graduate, they can work in any area of nursing.”

Another key component to the program is the clinical process, which is included in each semester of class work. In the first two semesters students spend time learning about how to conduct themselves in the hospital setting.

After that, the following four semesters comprise class and clinical meetings at the same time. This provides an opportunity for students to have a hands-on experience by working in different parts of the hospitals and community clinics.

“The things I’ve enjoyed the most have to be the clinicals,” Megan Kite, senior nursing major, said. It is a great way to learn and have a hands-on approach to nursing.”

Before being able to participate in clinicals, students must apply to be accepted into the program. Additionally, students must dedicate large blocks of time interacting with patients and the community.

“It differs from other majors because it is a much more personal profession,” Kite said.

PRAIRIE | MEGAN GERBER

“We have to know how to connect with our patients so that in a few minutes they are able to trust us enough to share everything about their medical history. There is a lot of emotion involved with nursing and that’s part of what makes it so great.”

In addition to building relationships with the patients, most students build strong relationships with each other.

“I’ve enjoyed the close relationships I’ve formed with other nursing students,” Michelle Waide, senior nursing major said.

“You really start to rely on each other to get through the program.”

Getting through the program is the most challenging task for some students, but it’s also one of the most rewarding aspects for others.

“Even though it is hard and really tests you on multiple levels, it’s an amazing feeling to know that you have the opportunity to heal someone or even just make the slightest difference in someone’s day,” Megan Romero, senior nursing major, said.

“Each day is full of opportunities to learn more, heal more and love more. Nursing school has helped me to learn a little more about who I am and the type of care that I want to give. Hands down I think that it is one of the most rewarding professions there is.”

The program seems to provide an array of challenges for its students, but that wouldn’t be possible without the help of their instructors.

“The faculty is definitely one of the strongest factors of our program,” Romero said.

“There are some amazing women that absolutely inspire me to keep going, just when I think that I can’t. Not only are they just amazing people to be surrounded with, but they are so knowledgeable and great resources to have.”

As students weave their way through an intricately built curriculum, a hands-on clinical experience, and encouraging instructors graduating seniors have plenty to look forward to in their profession.

“The economy is not so much struggling here as it is in some other parts of the country,” Reyes said. “Here in Texas, there’s a nursing shortage. Starting salary for nurses depends on the area. It may be anywhere from $45-70,000 depending on where they are and how much they work.”

To learn more about the WT nursing program, visit www.wtamu.edu/nursing or call 651-2630.