Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many health care professions have come into the limelight and seen some changes in how they operate.
One of the most impacted fields has been nursing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is the largest health care field in the nation, with roughly 3.4 million nurses across the country. But when the pandemic hit, studies show nursing numbers saw the largest drop in 35 years.
Labor statistics also say there will be a greater demand for nurses as a larger population reaches older years -- with projections expecting a 6% growth over the next ten years. That outpaces the average for all occupations. A big part of that job growth will be teaching and training new nurses.
According to a study published in 2022, nursing schools found that the pandemic actually pointed out gaps in education -- particularly related to disaster and public health emergencies. This prompted the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to release new standards reflecting these changes and stress the importance of a partnership between nursing schools and practices.
One school that has been through all of these changes -- St. Joseph's College of Nursing. They are now celebrating 125 years.
Carley Columbia is a second-year nursing student at St. Joseph’s College of Nursing. She says using the simulator lab is a helpful tool to use for practice so she is ready for the real world.
“This is so realistic,” she said. “If someone has a trach, it’s going to look like this and how to suction it.”
The lab is a replica of various types of patients, from babies to an adult to even a woman who can perform a birth.
Back in high school, Columbia went on a mission trip to Haiti. She says that’s when she found her calling to help people and decided to go into nursing. She says St. Joseph’s has really helped moved her career forward.
“Everyone is so helpful and even the staff here is so supportive,” Columbia said. “We’re all different ages. We all just come together and always help each other and it’s pretty awesome.”
Dean of the nursing college, Lenore Boris, says a huge part of their success comes from the simulator lab and the increased number of clinical hours they receive.
“We have 675 hours of clinical time which is well above the mandated number of 400 hours,” Boris said. “Students have the opportunity to experience really every clinical setting in the hospital.”
For students like Columbia who are doing a four-year dual degree program, once she passes her nursing exam in May she will be a registered nurse. After, she will finish up classes at Lemoyne College in her senior year and once complete she will have her bachelor of science in nursing.
“We see that about 60% or more of our students take their first job in the hospital setting here at St. Joseph’s Hospital,” Boris said. “They feel comfortable going into a setting that they have worked in as a student. “
“It’s awesome,” Columbia said. “I’m so glad that I can be a part of the 125 years and I hope that the school carries on because it’s an amazing program and I really do love it here.”