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Nursing Alumni Reunite for Pharmacology Workshop

More than 50 advanced practice nurses attended a College of Nursing-sponsored pharmacology workshop April 5 in LeBien Hall.

Nearly three-fourths of those in attendance were College of Nursing alumni, making the continuing-education event also an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates.

“This year, as in the past, alumni from as far away as southwest Michigan or central Illinois reconnected and planned future get-togethers and mini-reunions,” said Julie Koch ’98 M.S.N., adjunct assistant professor of nursing.

“Unlike undergraduate alumni, who developed a link to the university through experiences of dorm life, homecoming events, football games, and sorority/fraternity experiences, our graduate nursing alumni have spent the bulk of their academic career trying to maintain the delicate balance of studies, family/home life and work. Often, when they come back to campus, they return to their previous ‘second home,’ LeBien Hall.”

The workshop included sessions on MRSA, persistent heartburn and peripheral arterial disease. Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing honor society, co-sponsored the event.

“The connection with the College of Nursing remains strong and many of these alumni will serve as preceptors and mentors for future graduate nursing students,” Koch said. “Although it takes many weeks of planning and days of preparation, the event is well worth the effort.”

Next year’s date has yet to be set, but Koch expects the 2009 workshop to take place sometime in mid- to late-April. For more information, contact Koch at 219.464.5291 or julie.koch@valpo.edu.