| Nursing care
is the hub of the patient’s experience. Nurses provide ongoing
care, patient education, and staff administration and communication.
And, increasingly, nurses are at the forefront of new developments
in care—life-saving and money-saving practices, and new knowledge
about what works and why.
Nurses are constantly challenged to distinguish what is important,
to think logically, to solve problems, and to advocate for the rights
and needs of those in their care. That’s why Bradley’s nursing
program offers an array of opportunities and resources that hone—and
broaden—students’ skills, understanding, judgment, and professional
confidence.
Some details:
Clinical Opportunities for Undergraduates
The Co-op Program
Clinical Opportunities
for Graduate Students
Scholarships for Graduate Students
Research
Technology
Summer Enrichment Program for High School Students
Bradley
University Study Abroad Program
Clinical Opportunities
for Undergraduates
Students begin their clinical experiences during the first semester
of their sophomore year. From then on, the program is an interesting
blend of theory and practice in a broad range of settings—from a
perioperative experience at an inpatient facility to a variety of
community-health nursing experiences. The program includes:
- Level I trauma center experience / critical care experience
- Acute care experiences at four different hospitals
- Perioperative experiences at both inpatient and outpatient facilities
- Skilled care experiences at selected nursing home sites
- Psychiatric care experiences in adult, pediatric, and chemical
dependency
- Community health care experiences at various facilities including
schools, shelters, outpatient clinics, home health care, VNA,
and public health departments
- Maternal-child health care experience at a children's hospital
and selected sites
- Rural health care experience
At the graduate level, nurse administered
anesthesia students will have clinical experiences at Decatur
Memorial Hospital, Decatur, Illinois, and throughout Central
Illinois. Nursing administration students will work with the
professor in seeking appropriate clinical sites congruent with student
interests.
The
Co-op Program
Designed for students entering their senior year, the co-op program
offers students the option to work for a salary while earning academic
credit. Students are mentored by master's-prepared nurses
on medical-surgical acute care units. One great feature of
the co-op program: students can participate in clinical work without
delaying their academic coursework.
Clinical Opportunities
for Graduate Students
At the graduate level,
nurse administered anesthesia students will have clinical experiences
at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, Illinois, and throughout
Central Illinois. Nursing administration students will work
with the professor in seeking appropriate clinical sites congruent
with student interests.
Scholarship Opportunities
for Graduate Students
The department offers two scholarships, the Joseph
S. and Helen M. Kulpa Endowed Scholarship, and the William
G. Hasselbacher Graduate Memorial Scholarship. You may
obtain the scholarship applications here. The deadline for
these scholarships is 5:00 p.m. January 15, and a
PDF copy of the application is available for downloading.
You will need Acrobat
Reader to download this PDF. Additionally, the Epsilon
Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau offers an annual research scholarship.
Application forms may be obtained from the Department of
Nursing. Graduate student applications are reviewed and notices
are promptly given.
Research
Bradley recognizes and participates in the rich tradition
of nursing research. Some details:
- The Epsilon Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
Honor Society of Nursing is at Bradley University. Honor
students, both undergraduate and graduate, are invited to become
members of Sigma Theta Tau and attend all meetings. In addition,
Epsilon Epsilon Chapter co-sponsors a Research Conference that
is open to all students.
- Both undergraduate and graduate students participate in research
activities. All students are guided in these activities
by faculty members. Selected students may be asked to assist
with ongoing faculty research projects.
- The Department of Nursing retains a special librarian to assist
faculty and students in their work and research activities.
The Cullom-Davis Library houses over 1,200,000 items and subscribes
to numerous nursing journals. Bradley University also participates
in Illinet Online with access to 42 other academic libraries.
Interlibrary loan is available to all students.
Technology
The department maintains a nursing skills lab that offers opportunities
to practice and develop clinical competencies.
The department also offers a computer lab, where students can study
independently using computer-aided instruction, access the Internet,
write papers, and do other school work. Faculty use computers
in the classroom for multimedia presentations.
All Bradley University students receive
access to the Bradley University Computer Network. Students
may then access library sources, e-mail and access the Internet
from on-campus sites or from home.
Summer Enrichment Program
for High School Students
The department offers a special summer program for high school juniors
and seniors who are considering a career in nursing. Participants
observe and interact with nurses in practice settings, such as critical
care, rehabilitation, medical surgical, obstetrical, and mental
health settings. Students also learn selected nursing assessment
techniques and practice CPR.
Bradley
University International Programs
Bradley University offers
college credit for general education or elective courses taken abroad.
Students participate in the program during summers or during regular
semesters. Currently, study is available in Russia, Israel,
Denmark, Sweden, England, Scotland, Wales, Japan, France, Austria,
Spain, Czech Republic, Mexico, Hungary and Germany. More information
is available through the Office
of International Programs (309-677-2400). |
