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MATC’s nursing program trainsstudents for the rewards andchallenges of nursing. In the program, students learn thetechnical and discernment skillsnecessary to provide nursingcare to patients of all ages.There is an extremely highdemand for nurses in south-central Wisconsin, and 98% of MATC nursing graduates findemployment in the field.
Sarah Fowles interviewed Marilyn Rinehart, associatedean of nursing.
SF:
What attracted youto nursing?
MR
: I was attracted tonursing, and have stayed innursing for almost 30 years, because of the variety of chal-lenges I have experienced. I haveworked with newborns, children,adults and elderly people with allkinds of health problems. I haveenjoyed the interaction with peo- ple as well as the critical think-ing and problem solving. Everyday is a new challenge!
SF:
How many studentsare enrolled in the program? How long is waiting list?
MR:
More than 600 studentsattend each semester in the Nursing Assistant, Practical Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing and SurgicalTechnologist programs. Thewaiting list varies from campusto campus and from program to program. Generally speaking,students have to wait approxi-mately two to three years fromthe time they submit their appli-cations for Practical Nursing,Surgical Technologist andAssociate Degree Nursing pro-grams. The wait may be longer in certain programs.
MATC
Madison AreaTechnicalCollege
For Alumni and Friends of Madison Area Technical College
SPRING 2004
Whats inside...
Alumni Profile:Robin Roberts
4
Who Wants tobe a Mathematician?
5
Calendar of Events
5
A Day in the Life of a Nurse
6
New Associate Deanin Marketing
7
Hackers Beware!
8
Newly Minted Alumni
8
The Clarion Awards
9
Alumni Response Form
11
Alliant Energy Donation
14
Spring Break:Habitat for Humanity
15 And more!
Nursing: Taking Careof Wisconsins Future
continued on page 2 >
Marilyn Rinehart,associate dean/nursing
2
Nursing: Taking Care of Wisconsin’s Future…
(continued from page 1)
Largest employerin Wisconsin:
Health Careindustry
Tuition for abachelor’s degreein nursing fromUniversity ofWisconsin –Madison:
$25,000
Tuition for anassociate degreein nursing fromMATC:
$5,500
Faculty-to-student ratioat University ofWisconsin –Madison(nursingprogram only):
1:13
Faculty tostudent ratio atMATC (nursingprogram only):
1:10
Length of time toreceive CertifiedNursing Assistant(CNA) certificate:
8 week
s
Average salary ofa certified nursingassistant:
$22,441
Percent growth inthe number of(CNA) jobs:
15.9%
Length of time toreceive a practicalnursing degree:
1 year
Average salary ofa practical nurse:
$32,621
Percent growth inthe number ofpracticalnursing jobs:
12.7%
Length of timeto receive anassociate’sdegree innursing:
2 years
Average salary ofa registered nurse(RN):
$47,331
Percent growthin the numberof RN jobs:
22%
Fast Facts
SF:
Can you share some student successstories?
MR:
Four graduates are now instructors inour programs! Another graduate was the out-standing MATC alumnus in 2002. Many havegone on for advanced degrees in nursing.More importantly, every single graduate hascontributed to a better outcome for patientswherever he or she works. The great health carewe have in the Madison area is a success storysince MATC nursing graduates are in everyhealth care setting in the district.
SF:
What are the biggest challenges in thenursing field today?
MR:
We are facing a huge increase in thedemand for nurses because of the aging popula-tion. At the same time, nurses are retiring or leaving the field faster than new graduates arereplacing them. That means that nurses are feel-ing the stresses of these changes on a daily basis.
SF:
How is MATC addressing thosechallenges?
MR:
MATC will be increasing the number of students we admit in our Practical Nursing andAssociate Degree Nursing programs. This year we admitted 40 additional Associate Degree Nursing program students. We graduated morethan 700 nursing assistants last year, many of whom will be continuing in practical nursing or associate degree nursing.
3
Nursing Programsat MATC Campuses
Truax
Certified Nursing AssistantPractical NursingAssociate Degree Nursing
Fort Atkinson
Certified Nursing AssistantPractical Nursing
Reedsburg
Certified Nursing AssistantPractical NursingAssociate Degree Nursing
Watertown
Certified Nursing AssistantAssociate Degree Nursing
Portage
Certified Nursing Assistant
New Full-TimeNursing Faculty
Janet Braun
, formerly employed by Dane County Public Health
Lisa Cappelli
, formerly employed by Hospicecare, Inc.
Julie Christofferson
, formerlyemployed by Dean Health System
Dana Schardt
, formerly employed by UW-Whitewater Student Health
Judy Stoeckmann
, formerlya MATC part-time teacher
Retiring NursingFaculty
Kathy KoegelHelen KruseSF:
What pieces of advice would you give to someoneinterested in a nursing career?
MR:
Don’t be discouraged by the long waiting list!Begin with the Nursing Assistant Program, since that isnow a requirement before starting nursing classes in practical or associate degree nursing. You will gain valu-able experience and you will qualify for tuition reim- bursement from health care employers. Take the generalstudies courses, especially the science courses, beforeyou start nursing courses. Start reading nursing journalsto get an idea of all the possibilities out there.Remember that you start with the basic courses, but theopportunities for specialization are endless. Build a goodfoundation!
For more information on the program, call (608) 246-6014.
Scholarship Recipientsand Donors Recognized
On April 29, 2004,
MATC celebrates its annualScholarship Awards Breakfast, which recognizesscholarship recipients and donors. During the2003–2004 school year, MATC awarded 263 scholar-ships made possible through generous donations fromcommunity members, corporations, foundations,MATC faculty and staff, and alumni. If you are inter-ested in providing a scholarship to a deserving student, please call Sarah Fowles at (608) 243-4334.
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