news-category: Academics GWU Senior Grew Academically and Personally by Participating in Honors Program By Office of University Communications On May 7, 2020 For her research project in the Gardner-Webb University Honors Program, Kayla Donegan, ’20, chose to study a topic that directly affects her and her classmates in the Hunt School of Nursing. Donegan, of Shoreham, N.Y., wanted to assess how nursing students transition into their careers. Her thesis was titled, “Easing the Transition: An Analysis of the Final Practicum Experience.” Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, she and other seniors in the Honors Program presented their theses during a recent Zoom teleconference. After graduation, Donegan, will take the NCLEX, and begin her career at High Point (N.C.) Medical Center in the intensive care unit. Q: Why did you choose your research topic and how do you feel about what you learned? Donegan: I felt that this was a topic that was important to both myself and the nursing profession as a whole. The transition from student nurse to professional nurse can cause feelings of stress and anxiety for the new graduate nurse. These feelings, when paired with other factors, can cause new graduate nurses to leave the hospital setting or the nursing profession as a whole. The final practicum experience is known to affect this transition from student nurse to professional nurse. I felt it was important to assess the effectiveness of this experience at Gardner-Webb. Through my research, I learned that overall students felt prepared to enter professional practice. However, there was a lack of confidence noted in students’ ability to handle emergency situations. Overall, I felt this was an important finding as educational measures could be taken to better prepare students to handle these emergency situations. Q: What valuable lessons did you learn from doing your research? Donegan: Not only was I able to grow my knowledge on the transition from student nurse to professional nurse, but I was able to learn about the research and thesis writing process as a whole with support and guidance from my thesis advisor. This is information and experiences that will be invaluable to me should I decide to pursue further education in the future. Q: How has the GWU Honors Program enhanced your GWU experience? Donegan: Throughout my time at Gardner-Webb, the Honors program has given me the ability to challenge myself academically. In the past two years, I was able to take a seminar class and complete a thesis project. Overall, these classes allowed me to grow both academically and personally. Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.
News Article New Gardner-Webb Caf Opens with Array of Food Options and Energized Atmosphere Renovations Feature Modern Seating, Outdoor Patio Dining, and Special Events and Activities BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The new Caf is ready to serve the Gardner-Webb University Campus in an energized atmosphere with special events and activities. The larger dining space offers updated seating, and improved meal options give students more choices. From July 24 through Aug. 18, […] Office of University Communications | July 19, 2024
News Article Gardner-Webb’s Dover Library Receives State Grant to Digitize Historical Records 19th Century Historic Documents and Church Records Helpful for Genealogical and Academic Research BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University’s Dover Library recently received a $42,000 grant from the State Library of North Carolina. The money will be used to digitize historical church records on microfilm and documents in the Cleveland County Historical Collection. The project is a […] Office of University Communications | July 17, 2024
News Article Gardner-Webb Graduates Consistently Achieve 100% Pass Rate on Licensure Exams for Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling Program Prepares Students with Experiential Learning, Review and Support from Faculty and Classmates BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The National Institute for Health Care Management reports that 49% of Americans live in a mental health workforce shortage area. Helping to meet this need are alumni of Gardner-Webb University’s accredited Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Master […] Office of University Communications | July 17, 2024