Assumption University and Saint Vincent Hospital Announce Exclusive Partnership to Provide Nursing Students with Experiential Learning
WORCESTER, Massachusetts – Assumption University and Saint Vincent Hospital today announced an exclusive partnership that provides the University’s nursing students with a three-month long clinical education rotation on a medical surgical floor. Under the partnership, Assumption nursing students participating in the Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) – the designation of a clinical setting optimized to provide nursing students and clinicians with a positive learning/teaching environment — will be the only nursing students educated on the 24-bed floor during the program.
The DEU, now in its second week, has been under development for more than six months. A collaborative effort, the development of the DEU involved Saint Vincent nurses and other health care workers who staff the 24th floor, hospital management, Assumption Froelich School of Nursing faculty and University leadership. Marcela M. Jiminez, a Professor of Practice Nursing at Assumption, was embedded on Saint Vincent’s 24th floor for about 60 hours throughout the fall of 2022 to experience all aspects of the medical surgical floor, where nurses care for patients with a wide range of diagnoses.
“Professor Jiminez shadowed Saint Vincent nurses, nursing assistants, administrative staff and also housekeeping employees to insure the best-possible experience for our students and hospital staff,” said Caitlin M. Stover, Ph.D., RN, and Dean of the Froelich School of Nursing at Assumption. “The mission, values and goals shared by Assumption and Saint Vincent’s have the hallmark of what we’re confident will be a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.”
Founded by the Catholic Sisters of Providence of Holyoke in 1893, Saint Vincent Hospital is a 381-bed hospital with a legacy of nursing instruction that began in 1900 when the Worcester hospital opened a nursing school.
“The most pressing issue in healthcare today is nurse staffing. As we look forward to the future of healthcare in America, our best hope for recovery is nursing students. This is why the work of Assumption is so important. The future of our healthcare system is going to rely significantly on a new nursing workforce. As a hospital, and as a nurse myself, we want to ensure that these nurses receive the best education possible coupled with a clinical experience that gives them consistent patient interaction and experience. We’re delighted to partner with Assumption to bring this revolutionary approach to nursing education to Worcester.”
-Saint Vincent Chief Nursing Officer and Doctor of Nursing Practice Jay Prosser
Fifteen Assumption nursing students are participating in the DEU. The three-per-week, eight-hour shifts will be staffed by five nursing students per shift, supervised by a clinical faculty.
“The exposure our students will receive on the medical surgical floor will be extraordinary. They will be exposed to anything and everything, the broadest range of medical diagnoses and diverse patients across the lifespan,” said Dean Stover.
At the end of the DEU, participating nursing students will stage a poster presentation to Saint Vincent and University staff and faculty. Students will present their own research and discoveries resulting from their clinical education experience.
ABOUT ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY
Assumption University, founded in 1904 by the Augustinians of the Assumption, is a premier New England University for high-quality education, integrating career preparation and education of the whole person, drawing upon the best in the rich and centuries-long tradition of Catholic higher education. Assumption’s graduates are known for their intellectual seriousness, thoughtful citizenship, and dedication to the common good. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, Assumption has undergone a series of major advancements since transitioning to a university, including new academic buildings, degree programs, and athletic facilities for our NCAA Division II student athlete population. The University offers 38 majors and 50 minors in the liberal arts, sciences, business, nursing, and professional studies, and other areas, as well as graduate degrees and professional credentials. For more information about Assumption University, please visit www.assumption.edu.