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  • McQueary College of Health and Human Services

The double life of a soon-to-be graduate

May 18, 2023 by Olivia R. Fowler

Caleb posing in front of the fountain

Caleb Huettenmeyer, a fourth-year student graduating from Missouri State University’s School of Nursing, looks forward to what the future holds after graduation. 

“I’ve put in a lot of time, effort and work toward getting my degree,” Huettenmeyer said. “I’m excited to put everything I’ve learned into action.” 

Huettenmeyer secured a job at the prestigious Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis as an emergency room (ER) nurse.  

“They’re ranked number one in Missouri and 11th in the country, so it seems like an incredible opportunity to work with them,” he said. 

His goal is to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) the second week of June before he begins this position. 

Preparation for becoming a nurse 

Coming to MSU in fall 2019, Huettenmeyer completed his two years of pre-requisites and then applied to the nursing program in January 2021. After an extensive interview process, he was accepted as one of 48 out of over 150 applicants—beginning his journey through nursing school in fall 2021.  

Huettenmeyer began officially as a patient care associate (PCA), then transitioned to a nurse technician on the floor a few months later. Since August 2022, the rest of his nursing school days have been filled with work as an ER nurse technician at Mercy Hospital. 

“This past semester, I’ve been working almost every weekend,” he said. “I love the work, but it’s an intense job.” 

Typically, nursing students are expected to be on the floor as a general nurse technician before specializing. However, because of nursing shortages and his passion for the specialty, Huettenmeyer was able to nab the ER nurse technician position almost immediately. 

“I was rejected twice before meeting with them in person and persuading them to let me prove myself,” Huettenmeyer said. “They hired me soon after.” 

Nurse Boomer

Surprise! Guess who?!

For four years, Huettenmeyer has kept the secret of being our beloved Boomer bear. 

“It was like leading a double life. I’m excited to finally share the surprise with my friends at school when I wear the feet to graduation,” Huettenmeyer said.  

“I never got to go to a tailgate as myself, so I’m excited to return as an alumnus.” 

In addition to being Boomer, he was: 

  • A resident assistant (RA) for Wells House, which allows him to graduate debt-free. 
  • The social media manager for the Brohort. 
  • A recipient of the Centennial Leaders Scholarship. 
  • A member of the Student Nursing Organization (SNO). 

After Barnes-Jewish, Huettenmeyer would like to transfer to an ICU somewhere and then become a flight nurse. The 10-year plan has him becoming a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) sometime in his 30s. 

“I’m ready to move on to the next chapter,” Huettenmeyer said. 

“The past two years have had some rough spots, but the friends I’ve made at Missouri State truly got me through it.” 

 Explore the School of Nursing

Filed Under: Nursing, Spotlights Tagged With: MCHHS Spotlights, School of Nursing

Faculty fan-favorites

May 18, 2023 by Olivia R. Fowler

The fountain at sunset.

Keith McShan, assistant professor in the department of kinesiology, and Kati Morgan, clinical assistant professor in the School of Anesthesia, are two valuable faculty members in our McQueary College of Health and Human Services. 

Let’s learn more about them during this last month of the academic year! 

What’s been the funniest thing to happen in your classroom?  

McShan: In my ethics and diversity in American sports class, students ran a youth sports meeting in groups and discussed how they’d run a sports league. They had to address issues related to how they’d integrate refugee students into sports, deal with racism within their sports league and get girls involved in sports, among other topics. Students also had role-playing sessions where they acted as parents, athletes and coaches. The students and I had to leave the room because of the outrageously painful laughing we had during this activity. You had to be there! 

Morgan: My classroom is mostly in hospitals during students’ clinical rotations, but we also help them through rigorous simulation labs at the end of each semester. During simulations, it can get a little crazy. We create intense scenarios where the simulation patient is close to dying and the student needs to step in and resuscitate the person.  Some of these situations can get very interesting! 

Where are you from?   

McShan: Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 

Morgan: I’m a Springfield native and went to Hillcrest High School. 

What brought you to Missouri State? 

McShan: I finished my PhD in summer 2022. When looking for a faculty position, I wanted to teach courses in the areas of sport and exercise, psychology and sports management. MSU had these opportunities. 

During the interview process, I was enthused to see Missouri State’s focus on teaching. I was excited to create a club where students could develop their talents and I’ve been afforded that opportunity in creating the Kinesiology Research and Career Club. Finally, and most importantly, I felt God wanted me and my wife here at MSU. We sold everything we owned and moved here in faith, not knowing anyone or having ever even been to Missouri before. Since making that decision, my wife has received a job here at MSU and our daughter will be attending school here in the fall. It’s been the best leap of faith we’ve taken in our marriage. 

Morgan: I completed the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program at MSU. I loved the program and the faculty. 

What’s your favorite part about working here?  

McShan: The students; they’re Godly, kind and respectful. I honestly enjoy coming to work every day. I pinch myself sometimes at how lucky I am to work with these students here at MSU. 

Morgan: I love watching our students grow and become confident providers working at the top of their game. Our students and alumni have a huge impact on our community through their anesthesia care. It feels good to be a small part of that.  

My other favorite part of being a member of MSU School of Anesthesia is the opportunity to work with an amazing team. Our department has always made me feel like a valued member of the team, which makes it a happy place to come to work each day. 

Explore the School of Anesthesia

Do you have a favorite class to teach?  

McShan: I love all my classes. It’s like having children—you’re not supposed to have favorites! One of my highlights so far was taking a group of 22 students to the NFL Draft in Kansas City, MO. Between an emergency room visit with a student, having Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers for the first time and having my first KC barbeque, it certainly was a fun and memorable time.     

Morgan: Time spent with students in clinicals is always my favorite!  It’s wonderful to observe how much they grow and the impact they have on their patients. 

Dig into the department of kinesiology

Filed Under: Anesthesia, Kinesiology, Spotlights Tagged With: Kati Morgan, Keith McShan, Kinesiology, MCHHS Spotlights, School of Anesthesia, School of Nursing

How to achieve your goals

March 21, 2022 by Olivia R. Fowler

For nursing students, hospitals tend to become their home away from home. The best nursing students make hands-on work at the hospital their priority. 

Tregg Geren graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing  from Missouri State University in 1992.  

“At that time, the focus of the program was very community-based, instead of giving students experience within hospitals,” Geren reflected. 

He went on to receive his nursing degree from St. John’s College of Nursing and Master of Business Administration from Webster University. 

In January  2022, Geren accepted the position of chief operating officer for Citizens Memorial Hospital District after enjoying his time serving as the chief nursing officer. 

Learning the ropes in a leadership position 

Headshot of Tregg GerenGeren’s new responsibilities include radiology and laboratory on the clinical side of things. He works mostly with support staff, which gives him a glimpse at the way other departments operate. 

“To see how things work behind the scenes and hear the way that the staff deal with situations is extremely different than how a clinical department would,” Geren said. “It has been quite interesting so far.” 

Geren recommends current nursing students or recent graduates obtain as much hands-on experience as possible. Eat, sleep and breathe all things hospital related. 

“Particularly if you don’t have any background in health care, it’s essential to apply for a position like a nursing assistant either before, during or after you’re in nursing school,” he urged. 

For Geren, his extensive experience is what has landed him several leadership positions within the medical field. 

“There’s such a valuable element that’s added because nursing students have done the grunt work and are much more well-rounded in their approach.”  

Explore the nursing program at MSU 

Filed Under: MCHHS Alumni, Nursing Tagged With: MCHHS Spotlights, Nursing, School of Nursing

Funding the next generation of nurses

January 28, 2022 by Jonah Rosen

BSN Nursing students in the simulation lab at O'Reilly Health Sciences Building

In a time when health care workers are in high demand, The Mid-America Transplant Foundation (MAT) is launching the MAT Scholarship for students enrolled in Missouri State University’s nursing program.  

“We are humbled and honored at the gracious gift given to our students from MAT,” Monika Feeney, Department Head for the School of Nursing, said. “This scholarship will raise awareness for organ donation in the community by enabling nursing students to learn about organ donation and the importance of it to our community.” 

This gift is in recognition of the critical role nurses play in the organ and tissue donation process in Southwest Missouri.

In 2021, Springfield hospitals supported patients and their families who wanted to save and heal lives through organ, tissue, and eye donation. These patients become donor heroes who saved 134 lives through organ donation and impacted up to 20,000 lives through the donation of eyes, skin, tendons, ligaments, heart valves and bone.

Applying for scholarship 

Ten scholarships at $1,000 each will be given to qualified applicants beginning with the 2023-24 academic year. The scholarship is part of the MAT Foundation’s focus on workforce development.  

Nursing students interested in applying must submit an essay. The essay must include:  

  • A discussion of organ donation. 
  • The role nurses play in the organ donor process, including the impact of grief on donor families.  
  • The role that MAT plays in southwest Missouri communities.  

Scholarship recipients will travel to St. Louis to receive a tour of MAT facilities. 

Learn more about MSU Nursing program

Filed Under: Nursing Tagged With: Financial Aid, McQueary College of Health and Human Services, School of Nursing

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