Tiffany Lee | MSN Entry Program
Who at WesternU has made you feel supported and how?
I have felt supported by multiple faculty members, by my fellow classmates, and by students from previous cohorts. The director of the MSN-E program had students write down their worries during Welcome Week and went through them one by one to alleviate students’ anxiety as they entered this new chapter of their lives. Actions like this from the faculty shows students they are cared for and are not alone. In addition, WesternU is selective in picking its students, and the warmth and support that I have received from my classmates is incredible. Selecting students who value humanism leads to the creation of a supportive and positive culture where a helping hand is always available. The culture of collaboration rather than competition creates space for immense growth.
Sandra Nicholson | MSN Entry Program
Describe your best clinical experience and why it was memorable.
The access to clinical sites in the Los Angeles County area is impressive. Our program attempts to place students close to where they live. I had the opportunity to do my first two clinical semesters at Pomona Valley Community Hospital. I did not just have one best clinical experience but many that increased my confidence and critical thinking nursing skills. Every clinical day provided ample opportunity to perform skills. Some examples were starting IVs, inserting Foley catheters, wound care, and post-mortem care. It is very difficult to pick one best clinical experience because the way our clinical is set-up allows us to have memorable days during every clinical. Our clinical instructors make sure that we are placed with nurses that want to be shadowed. Our instructors are also available to be at the bedside when performing a skill for the first time.
Yezenia Velazco | MSN Entry Program
Describe an engaging aspect of your program and why you like it.
One very engaging aspect of my program is the interprofessional education component also known as IPE. IPE is incorporated into our curriculum and it is an opportunity for nurses to collaborate and get to know other disciplines here at WesternU. This is in the hopes to begin to bridge any gaps in care by establishing relationships between different providers and this way encouraging better collaboration in care and reduce medical errors. I like this because it was very interesting to work closely with other students in different specialty areas and know I will be able to use the skills in the future when caring for my patients given they require care from different providers. Healthcare is evolving, and with patients’ increasing longevity, it will be almost inevitable for people not to have more than one provider or specialist. For this reason, I believe IPE is vital in my preparation to become a competent future FNP.
How has your involvement in co-curricular activities (e.g. clubs or student government association) impacted you and/or the community you serve?
Although one may think that one may be too busy to join any extracurricular activities, I can say that it is worth it. While on my first year, I was the vice president of NSNA, a leader in the Urban Mission monthly dinners, and taught Spanish medical terminology class. These different roles allowed me to serve the community in different ways. Through outreach to local young school-age children via reading efforts (and providing nursing and female representation while at it) with NSNA, and through feeding those in need and getting to know the needs of the local community with Urban Mission. In addition, by educating the future health care providers in medical Spanish terminology, more Spanish speaking patients will feel that their needs matter when seeking care and hopefully receive better care in the process. It makes me happy and fulfilled to know I contributed to serving others through these efforts and helped improve patients’ healthcare experience for the future.
Jason Bowler | MSN Entry Program
Who at WesternU has made you feel supported and how?
I can not say that it is one person that has made me feeling supported at WesternU. For myself I find that it is a team effort from everyone that is within the school of graduate nursing to the LEAD office. I remember one instance while in lecture, that my professor put up a visual display of the endocrine system and then called my name and said that he remembered that I liked visuals in lecture, because it helped me connect the information. To be able to hear an instructor say that they remember a learning technique that I asked to incorporate that could help me comprehend the material better, made me feel extremely grateful and happy to know that an instructor would do this.
Why did you choose your WesternU program?
I choose the MSN-E program because I liked the set-up of the program and what it stood for. The program is not just about preparing individuals to be nurses, to help clients in many different areas, it was also about the prospect of preparing nurses to invoke positive changes within the profession that enable nurses to work at their fullest potential.
Mackenzie Lynn Williams | MSN/FNP Program
Who at WesternU has made you feel supported and how?
The Graduate School of Nursing thrives on ensuring that their students are not only comfortable in the clinical setting but also fully prepared for success when it comes to holistic treatment. The entire faculty is supportive and influential when it comes to their students. From my perspective, it is their goal to build strong advanced practice nurses through excellent communication with their students, thorough lecturing and other enhanced learning opportunities. This is largely why there is a 100% National Certification Exam pass rate.
What would you tell a prospective student about WesternU?
This program is ideal for distance students looking for an excellent graduate level education as I myself travel across the country to attend this outstanding institution. I strongly recommend this program to all individuals as it is delightfully challenging, well balanced and under the direction of some of the most brilliant and inspiring minds in advanced nursing practice today.
Elizabeth A. Cano | DNP Program
Why did you choose your WesternU program?
I attended WesternU previously for my MSN, FNP-C. The faculty is amazing and the program is geared for those of us who work. The faculty at WesternU are clinicians and are current on healthcare policy and guidelines. The faculty is supportive and works hard to ensure success.
What would you tell a prospective student about WesternU?
WesternU provides a superior education. There is interaction between faculty and staff that heightens the experience. The program is well rounded and there is support at all levels from the University.
Marcia Luxenburg-Horowitz, DNP, RN, CNL
Assistant Professor, Assistant Director of MSN/Health Systems Leadership Program
WesternU distinctive: We have a master’s entry into nursing at WesternU, meaning the students who enter this program have a bachelor’s degree in another field and have decided to come into nursing upon completing their bachelor’s or as a second career. These are an exciting group of students to work with because they chose professional nursing for all the right reasons. They know that to be a professional nurse, they have to be well-rounded, smart, creative, caring, assertive, tough, etc. Our students emerge from the program as strong professional nurses. They have a solid foundation of scientific knowledge and professional skills undergirded by an ethic of caring. These students are highly valued by their employers. It is a privilege to work with them.
Why WesternU: It was important to me that I teach at a university whose philosophy and values where in alignment with my own. I wanted to work in an environment where excellence and caring were valued.
Best thing about WesternU: We value each other and our relationships with one another. True learning occurs in an environment of care, support, and teamwork.
Interprofessional collaboration: Meeting client and family health needs in today’s complex healthcare system requires healthcare professionals who can function within an interprofessional healthcare team. Interprofessional education will enhance students’ understanding and appreciation of other healthcare professions while enhancing their abilities to work together to improve patient outcomes. This will be second nature to our students when they enter professional practice.
Best advice: Buildings do not make a university, people make the university. They are the heart and soul of the institution. As a university, we continually maintain an environment of excellence and care, which fosters the growth and development of caring, knowledgeable healthcare professionals.
Khoa (Joey) Dang, MSN, BSN, ADN
Assistant Professor / Simulation Coordinator
Which student clubs are you involved with (as an advisor or otherwise) and what impact have your experiences had on you and/or the community served?
I currently serve as the faculty advisor for the American Association for Men in Nursing, WesternU chapter. Our mission to shape the practice, education, research, and leadership for men in nursing and advance men’s health. As an active chapter on campus, we have numerous opportunities to facilitate engagement between our nursing students and community partners. The most popular, well attended event is our annual Sweethearts Dance that we host every February for the residents of the Pomona Adult Day Health Center. This meaningful event allows us to care for our seniors and strengthen our relationship with our community.
Why did you choose to work at WesternU?
As a former student of WesternU, I had first-hand experience with the exceptional faculty and staff. Each faculty member was committed to student success and dedicated to deliver quality education. My admiration for the excellent faculty led me to apply and accept a position at WesternU.
Lynette Svingen | DNP Program Class of 2018
How have you seen the University’s humanistic philosophy lived out by members of the WesternU family?
I have had interactions with many of the staff and faculty of WesternU. Toni Litke in Financial Aid goes above and beyond to ensure each student has the resources they need to succeed. Allison Phuong Tieu in the Bookstore assists with locating books, supplies, and equipment. If what you need isn’t immediately available, she takes the time to search and order what you are looking for. Also, she follows-up until you confirm you have what you ordered. Dr. Emanuele has spent countless hours coaching and mentoring me through challenges met in completing my scholarly project. Dr. Magladry spent time working out logistical challenges and created a supportive environment throughout my time in the FNP program. There are so many WesternU faculty and employees who offered assistance to me along the way. The time they spent with me, has had a positive impact on my educational outcomes at WesternU. There are many small and big examples of how the WesternU family exhibit actions that emulate the humanistic philosophy. I have attended other universities, WesternU is unique, the faculty and staff genuinely care about the well being and success of students. I believe their passion for helping others fosters the student centered culture and philosophy of the university.
Fredo Jean Clermont | ADN to MSN Program
Master’s focus: Family Nurse Practitioner
Describe an engaging aspect of your program and why you like it:
I don’t just like the seminar weekends, I am highly appreciative of them. As a distance student, it’s easy to feel out of touch with the academic community. Attending the seminars helped me put a face to the names of my professors and fellow students. I really got to know my peers and in fact we speak and text weekly if not daily. Moreover, I can’t express how engaging these weekends were in regards to having live demonstrations and simulations incorporated into each seminar.
Describe your best clinical experience and why it was memorable.
WesternU has high standards for patient care and I received extensive education regarding history taking and physical assessment. I started my adult clinical rotation and my preceptor was amazed that I could handle patient visits so early with little guidance. He was thrilled that I knew so much. It was a proud moment for me; one that I will never forget.
How have you seen the university’s humanistic philosophy lived out by members of the WesternU family?
I absolutely see WesternU’s humanistic philosophy lived out by its members. Take Dr. Lithgow for instance. Despite the fact that she has a thriving career at WesternU, she continues to provide healthcare to underprivileged populations.
Why did you choose your WesternU program?
I am a working professional and I needed a program that could work with my schedule but also provide me with some hands on instruction. Along with the online Lectures, the seminar weekends met my criteria for a hybrid program. I was able to continue working and living my life while completing my coursework.
Johnis Saczynskit | ADN-MSN, Class of 2012
Master’s focus: Administrative Nurse Leader
What one or two elements of your education proved to be the most valuable to you in your career?
I honestly don’t know that I could single out one or two elements. The program as a whole has affected the way I view issues in the workplace, my ability to research issues and analyze data, and the ability to adapt to changes in healthcare legislation. Further, it has helped me see a broader perspective in dealing with other departments in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Rebecca Harris| MSN-E, Class of 2010
Master’s focus: Ambulatory Care
Why did you choose WesternU?
I chose to get my Masters of Science in Nursing at WesternU in the late fall when I attended the information session with other prospective students. As the CGN faculty and staff presented the MSN-E program to us, I was so impressed with the enthusiasm and passion they expressed. You could tell that the instructors love what they do, and I wanted to be one of their students. I left there so excited to begin my journey towards becoming a nurse. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Heather Homampour| MSN-E, Class of 2011
Master’s focus: Leadership and Management
Why did you choose WesternU?
I have wanted to go to WesternU ever since elementary school. Since it specializes in health sciences, WesternU has had all of the careers I’ve ever investigated. Initially, I wanted to be a veterinarian, then decided I wanted to be an osteopathic doctor. Ultimately, I felt that a career in nursing would be my ideal and I am thankful that WesternU has an awesome College of Graduate Nursing.
Lazar Michaels| MSN-E, Class of 2010
Master’s focus: Clinical Nurse Leader
Why did you choose WesternU?
I suppose I didn’t choose WesternU but rather they chose me. I did not know much about it before I had applied but when I began the program and met the professors I knew I had made the right decision in attending WesternU. I could have gone to Duke University but instead I chose WesternU due to the intimacy. As an undergraduate, I felt like a small fish in a big pond. Here at WesternU the pond is much smaller.
Donna De Silva, MSN, FNP | FNP, Class of 2014
What would you tell a prospective student about WesternU?
Go for it! It is daunting when you think about the time involved and the cost, but if you let that frighten you, you’ll never do it! Just jump in!
Why did you choose your WesternU program?
I love the hybrid program that allowed me to study at home and online and go to seminar weekends 2 times a semester. I had tried other online programs and didn’t have the rapport with my colleagues or professors that I do at WesternU. I have made many life long friends and part of that is due to the interaction we shared while at seminar weekends.
Eric Eschweiler, BSN | DNP, Class of 2014
Describe an engaging aspect of your program and why you like it.
Western University of Health Sciences College of Graduate Nursing is an example of how educational institutions focus on the needs of the community and develop interventions to improve overall health. As a dual FNP and DNP student, the curriculum encouraged me to engage in population-based health research and interventions while incorporating the skills essential as a successful Family Nurse Practitioner.