Page 13 - SF HOSPITAL NEWS NOVEMBER 2020

HEALTHCARE EDUCATION HEALTHCARE EDUCATION HEALTHCARE EDUCATION

Fortis College - Educating Our Future Nurses

The World Health Organization 2020 when the pandemic was hitting new a long-term nursing care prepare you for an entry-level
declared 2020 the Year of the Nurse and heights every day? facility and post-acute career in nursing. Upon com-
Midwife and it is difficult to imagine a That is just the situation that Fortis rehabilitation center. “It’s pletion of the ADN program at
more appropriate designation. Without a nursing graduate Rebekah Tasker had to where I started,” she says. FORTIS, you will be prepared
doubt, COVID-19 has brought the nurs- navigate earlier this year. The final seven “That’s where I’m happiest. to sit for your licensure exam
ing profession into the spotlight and months of her program were significantly I enjoy what I do there for to become a Registered Nurse.
shown the work nurses perform every impacted by COVID-19. Tasker graduated residents. They’ve lived The Bureau of Labor Statistics
day caring for their patients is absolutely in September 2020 with an associate their lives and it’s an honor reports that employment
essential to society. degree in nursing. to be there for them during prospects for RNs are expect-
Training to become a nurse has been a “When I started my clinicals at the this time.” ed to be excellent nationally
career goal for many people, even prior beginning of the year, everything was nor- Bruce Smith, president of over the next decade. With a
to the COVID-19 crisis. Nurses can work mal,” says Tasker. “Right at the end of the Fortis Cutler Bay is proud FORTIS nursing degree, you
in virtually every type of healthcare facil- term, things started to shut down.” of how his staff and faculty Bruce Smith can be ready to one day join
ity from hospitals to physicians’ offices, Starting a job on the frontlines during the have risen to meet the challenges present- the 2.6 million Americans who work as
from clinics to schools and more. They pandemic might make some people ed by the pandemic and says, “Our priori- registered nurses!
can work directly with patients, or even rethink their decision to go into nursing, ty is to keep our students focused on their Since 2011, FORTIS College in Cutler
work as telehealth providers. but this wasn’t the case for Tasker. goals by providing them with the best edu- Bay has provided career education and
Additionally, nurses have the opportuni- “There were risks even before COVID,” cational experience possible in a safe envi- training to people in south Florida and the
ty to advance their careers through the she says. “Every time you go to work, you ronment.” greater Miami area. FORTIS offers pro-
pursuit of additional training and spe- could be in a position to encounter other Have you been thinking about training grams in nursing and medical assisting to
cialization in pediatrics, oncology, psy- infectious diseases or potential problems. to become a nurse? Are you looking for a both traditional and nontraditional stu-
chiatry and more. It’s part of what you have set out to do. All school nearby, with small classes and car- dents to help them reach their professional
Nursing school is a significant under- you can do is take precautions and do ing and experienced faculty? If so, then career goals. It is never too late to get start-
taking in the best of times, but can you everything right.” take a good look at FORTIS College in ed on your dream of becoming a nurse.
imagine being in the final stages of your Tasker has found her calling and once Cutler Bay, FL. The Associate Degree in
nursing education during the spring of she’s gets her license, she plans to work at Nursing program at FORTIS College will For more information, visit www.fortis.edu.

Cover Story: FAU: Helping to Advance Careers in Today's Competitive Marketplace

Continued from previous page with industry experts. I have found the to a new way of teaching,” he says. “Some “In my classes, I have tried to make
Faculty and staff are encouraged to partic- networking assignment to be most benefi- of our students lost their jobs due to the learning rigorous but fun,” Molinet says.
ipate in Mental Health education to identi- cial since it has enabled me to make con- pandemic, and others had real losses in “With everything from music videos and
fy students at risk and to assure their safety nections that will help me in my future their families; some students had COVID- funny parodies to FlipGrid video discus-
and ultimate success in our program and professional endeavors.” 19 affect them personally or their loved sion boards, to Zoom Breakout rooms,
in their lives.” The FAU Executive Education team has ones.” Zoom Polling and breathing exercises, we
Camilla De Abreu, Risk Management spent the past two decades perfecting As educators, he notes that they can have all worked hard to keep students
Specialist at Broward Health Medical online learning delivery, and were well make a positive impact on students by cre- engaged in learning. I like to bring laugh-
Center who will graduate this semester prepared to make this transition. ating a safe space in the classroom and ter into the classroom. When we laugh,
with an MBA with a healthcare concentra- “Our focus is always on delivering top- being empathetic and flexible with each our bodies produce endorphins…the
tion says, “My professor truly cares about quality education programs to working student’s needs. Molinet remembers hav- body’s ‘natural high’ which helps students
his students and was able to help me iden- professionals in Florida, and we are ing one student in his Executive MHA reduce anxiety and therefore be more open
tify my opportunities and recommend new pleased that we have been able to transi- class who disclosed she had contracted the to learning. As a nurse, I remember the
ways to achieve them. He is always tion all of our programs into virtual for- coronavirus and did not feel comfortable power of laughter and positive energy with
encouraging me and my classmates to step mats during the pandemic. We also take being on camera during class, but she still my patients and I try hard to bring that
outside our comfort zones to grow.” pride in the high caliber of our participants made an effort to attend every time. same level of excitement and compassion
Molinet adds, “We are so proud of who have shown great resilience in a diffi- “Another student from my Professional to the classroom.”
Camilla and all our students and enjoy cult situation.” says Vegar Wiik, Executive MBA program had a tree fall on her house Finally, Molinet explains how grateful
watching them grow as leaders.” Director of FAU Executive Education. “We in Louisiana during the hurricane, yet she they are for the support they received from
thank them for choosing FAU as their made it a point to find a cell signal by the community of healthcare and business
Teaching during the pandemic executive education provider, and we are standing on the bed of her boyfriend’s leaders.
One of the strengths at FAU is its adapt- proud to offer our convenient and excep- pick-up truck so she could let me know “During such a difficult time, it was
ability in the face of change and disrup- tional educational experience that empow- she was okay and to ask for an extension heartwarming how many of these leaders
tion, notes Molinet. As the global pandem- ers South Florida working professionals to on her assignments,” he says. “This type of took time to speak with our students, even
ic began changing the way the entire world continue excelling in their careers.” student commitment and resilience was when working so hard to provide excellent
operated earlier this year, they also shifted Starting this spring, students will have very motivational, and frankly, emotional care to the patients and families affected by
and successfully transitioned all programs the option to attend classes on campus or for me as a professor. My colleagues and I COVID-19 and while keeping their respec-
and students to a virtual setting. continue in an entirely virtual setting. worked very hard to make sure our stu- tive businesses sustainable,” he says. “I
Many of the professors have added “Our priority remains the health and dents’ basic needs were met and that we want to also thank South Florida Hospital
Zoom-etiquette training programs to their safety of our students, faculty, and staff, were flexible with deadlines and assign- News & Healthcare Report for its reporting
courses to help students navigate this and as we have successfully proven, we are ments during this crisis. Our Executive during COVID-19. It became the ‘go to’
brave new world academically and profes- prepared to adapt and adjust as circum- Education leadership team has also been resource for all things COVID-19 in South
sionally. Coaching students on successful stances continue to evolve,” says Molinet. very supportive of faculty and staff work- Florida. That is a remarkable public serv-
virtual presence has been very beneficial ing remotely and understanding their ice. The frequent updates, the articles, and
for students and faculty. Challenges and successes needs. At the end of the day, much like in the reporting were amazing and really con-
One of the EMHA students, Dr. Shari over the past year healthcare, happy staff and faculty tributed to the success of our local health-
Robins, MD, Internal Medicine Physician The biggest challenge Molinet probably (providers) make for happy and engaged care community coming together, not as
at Cleveland Clinic, shares, “I feel as has seen in the past seven months is how students (customers).” competitors, but as collaborators to fight
though I am in person with my professor to keep students engaged who otherwise In speaking with his colleagues, Molinet the pandemic and assure public safety and
and the entire class. Even though we are were expecting to learn in person and has been so impressed with some of the health during this unprecedented pan-
all learning online, our professor keeps the managing the impact of the pandemic on innovative techniques they have imple- demic.”
class interactive and encourages us to be student’s lives. mented to keep students engaged in front
professional in the way we dress and our “We work with each student to assure of a computer. These students had signed For more information, visit
overall virtual presence. The guest speak- their own safety and mental health while up for on-campus learning but were business.fau.edu/executive-education/.
ers that he brings in allow us to interact at the same time, adapting as a University unable to do so because of COVID-19.

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