Health and Human Services News

School of Nursing partners with Mercy for “Earn as You Learn” program

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The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the need for nurses in hospitals across the country.

To help the shortage locally, Missouri State University’s School of Nursing is piloting a Mercy Hospital Springfield program called “Earn as You Learn.”

“The nursing shortage is currently great,” said Monika Feeney, interim director of the School of Nursing. “The program allows students the opportunity to earn money while completing clinical time and evaluate if they would like to work at Mercy post-graduation. It also allows the hospital to evaluate if they are interested in hiring the student.”

Program details

In the program, nursing students are compensated for clinical hours as Mercy co-workers. They can also work additional hours as an aide or a sitter.

“This program will enable our current nurses to invest in the next generation by showing them the ropes before they graduate from nursing school,” said Chelsea Pliler, clinical student coordinator at Mercy. “Not only will nursing students get real-world experience, they will be earning money they can put toward their education. The experience they will gain from this program will help them confidently transition from student to RN and decrease their orientation time.”

The program pilot begins fall 2021. By spring 2022, nursing students at the senior clinical level will have the opportunity to participate in Earn as You Learn.

“It is a wonderful collaboration that we are very excited about. It is beneficial for the students, the clinical site and the university,” Feeney said.

If successful, Mercy plans to open the program to more nursing schools.

Physician from Nepal found new future in MSU’s public health program

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Agarwal was raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, and was a physician before she decided to come to America to pursue a master’s degree in public health.

“I have always been passionate about public health,” she said. “Even as a medical student, I  knew I was going to get a degree in public health. I became sure about it while I was working in Nepal at a private hospital as a health care executive. In this role, I felt I was making a bigger impact on people’s lives than I ever did practicing as a physician.”

Becoming a Bear

Karishma standing next to the MSU vine wall outside the PSU.

Agarwal discovered Missouri State’s Master’s of Public Health online. She wanted to live in Missouri to be close to her sister who lives in Springfield.

“I applied to a lot of schools in Missouri and ended up choosing Missouri State after reviewing the courses they offered. My decision was solidified after exchanging a few emails with the program director, Dr. David Claborn. It sounded like a great fit for me,” Agarwal said.

She was a graduate assistant and interned at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in the Maternal and Child Health Services division.

“During my internship, I had the opportunity to apply several concepts that I learned in my program,” she said. “The project that I worked on as an intern helped me abundantly in my first job right after graduation.”

“The project that I worked on as an intern helped me abundantly in my first job right after graduation.”

Despite being in a new country, Agarwal found Missouri State welcoming and loved the program.

Her advisor worked with Agarwal to sign up for electives based on her needs and interests.

Agarwal enjoyed the variety of classes – her favorite being international health. When she was in class, there happened to be seven international students and they all shared their perspectives on health care in their home countries.

The professors were friendly, approachable and always willing to advise and guide her. They were experts in their field, she said.

‘I feel more confident in myself and my skills’

Agarwal graduated in December 2017 and is fulfilling her dream of working in public health.

“I recently landed a job with Burrell Behavioral Health as the Clinic and Community Services Manager and I am so grateful to all my professors who mentored me and prepared me for this challenging role,” Agarwal said. “With the experience I gained as a student, and having the additional opportunities to be involved in a lot of research with my advisor, I feel more confident in myself and my skills.”