nursing program

This weekend ended a 30-year journey for nursing graduate Sue Gagne.

It began with a chemistry class in January 1993, one of the prerequisites for a nursing degree. 

However, Gagne’s path took a different turn, with baby Allison’s arrival that same year, and the decision that school would be too rigorous to do simultaneously while raising her daughter.

“I ended up choosing a different path. I went on to have a career in mental health and chemical addiction, and focused on my family,” she said.

Her second child, baby Joe, came in 2002. Time went on, the kids got older, and Gagne revisited former goals.

“Once my son got to high school, my dream of becoming a nurse came back to mind,” she said. “With a strong support system of people in my life who encouraged me to follow my dreams, it became a reality. So almost 30 years later, I started taking one class at a time — biology, anatomy 1, then anatomy 2.”

And then one of the big moments happened: “I was accepted to the nursing program.”  

“I started the program in the fall of 2021, and here we are two years later,” Gagne said, answering The Batavian’s question of how it feels to walk across that stage. “Amazing. Although this was the absolute hardest thing I have ever done, it is also the most rewarding. My professors and classmates were absolutely wonderful, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.” 

She has two pieces of advice for anyone who might be dragging your heels to pursue a longtime goal or passion: “I would encourage anyone who has a dream not to hesitate,” Gagne said. “Get around some good people who will support your dream and go after it.”
 

Press release:

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership’s Practical Nursing Program recently had a reaccreditation of programs by the New York State Office of Professions Division of Professional Education Program Review.

These audits occur approximately every five years and include a thorough review of curriculum, clinical sites, staff qualifications, as well as student and instructor files.

The New York State Office of Professions oversees the licensing and regulation of more than 50 professions and is guided by the New York State Board of Regents.

According to its website, “The registration of a program means that it has met the Department's standards for accreditation as provided in the Rules of the Board of Regents and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.”

Heidi Mix is the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership’s coordinator of Regional Medical Programs. She oversees both Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Programs.

Audit Crucial to Continuing Success

Mix explained the extent of the audit: “This reaccreditation is crucial to the success of this program. If you do not have this approval, then you are not permitted to offer this program. We just received official notification that we received our reaccreditation. In our debriefing, the auditors praised the work that is being done in our nursing programs.

"We are moving in the right direction with our curriculum, and the use of Google classroom, an educational blackboard system, which allows students access to content at any time and it also is a great communications tool for students and instructors.”

This three-day review was completed by state auditors who visited classroom sites, met with students, staff, and administrators. Auditors reviewed instructors’ credentials and evaluations, as well as student files including admissions and graduation processes, board passing and job placement rates.

“The auditors were also impressed with the number of clinical sites that we provide," Mix said. "Clinical experiences provide opportunities for students and potential employers to work together. We have 23 sites and this includes large and small acute-care facilities, and nursing homes throughout the Rochester region as well as Genesee and Livingston counties."

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership School of Practical Nursing has been in existence since 1994. It is a 1,200-clock-hour program, certified by the New York State Education Department, and is designed to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN Examination for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Chromebook and Online Learning Augment Classroom Instruction

Every student who enrolls in the Licensed Practical Nursing Program receives a Chromebook computer as part of their tuition fees. This computer becomes the property of the student and it is used for many purposes.

“Students have access to many electronic books and databases such as online lessons/modules and interactive activities that augment classroom curriculum and enhance the educational experience,” Mix said. “Each student can create their own dashboard and monitor their progress.”

Course curriculum includes a broad scope of topics including foundations of nursing, human growth and development, obstetrical and pediatric nursing, human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and more.

The CNA Program is also offered at the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. This course is no less than a 150-clock-hour program, approved by the New York State Education Department, and designed to prepare graduates for immediate employment following successful mastery of the post-program certification testing.

The LPN Program is offered at three different sites: Batavia, Rochester Tech Park in Gates, and Mount Morris. The CNA Program is offered at two different locations, Mount Morris and Batavia.

For more information or any questions, please contact 585-344-7788.

About the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership

It offers a broad scope of adult education programs including a School of Practical Nursing and a Certified Nursing Assistant program, vocational training, as well as classes for those seeking to broaden their skill sets. The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component New York school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties.

Submitted photo and press release:

Last month, Genesee Community College announced the beginning of its year-long celebration of the Nursing Program's 50th anniversary.

During a special "Tea and a Toast" event, the Nursing Program Director Laurel Sanger, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs Tamatha L. Arneth, and Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield kicked off the program's centennial with several impressive announcements all stemming from one of GCC's most substantial scholarship gifts to date.

The Antoinette Marchese Clancy Scholarship Fund and Excellence Award are both being instituted this year. Starting late this spring and continuing for another 50 years, a new scholarship opportunity will support GCC's second-year nursing students.

The significance of this gift has allowed the College to name its School of Nursing after its largest benefactor, specifically, The Antoinette Marchese Clancy School of Nursing.

(Above inset photo is Antoinette Marchese Clancy.)

"It has been my honor to work with the Clancy family to help them introduce an opportunity that recognizes and supports second-year nursing students who have exhibited dedication and excellence in their first year of study, and promise to continue this distinction in their second year," Arneth said.

"The dream of helping the next generation of GCC nursing students has been very important to the Clancy family despite the many years and the physical distance between Mrs. Clancy and her alma mater."

Antoinette Marchese grew up in Batavia and in 1970 graduated from Notre Dame High School, where she had met her husband, Emmet Clancy.

After working as a nurse's aide at St. Jerome's Hospital, she enrolled at D'Youville College, but transferred and graduated from GCC in 1974 earning the Nursing Excellence Award, an honor that is still very important to her.

The Clancy family, now residing in California, has grown to include five children and 11 grandchildren throughout their 45-year marriage.

Earlier this year, Emmet Clancy contacted GCC exploring how his wife's desire to help future nursing students could become a reality. He also wanted to recognize the hard work and dedication of his beloved.

Knowing how much GCC and the Nursing Excellence Award means to his wife and inspired by her selflessness, Emmet Clancy worked with Arneth to establish two opportunities available to nursing students next year.

• The Antoinette Marchese Clancy Scholarship Fund has been established through a generous gift from the Clancy family and recognizes Antoinette, GCC Class of 1974. Each year going forward, this scholarship will support several second-year GCC nursing students who are academically in the upper third of the class and have illustrated excellence in their clinical performance.
• In addition, the Antoinette Marchese Clancy Excellence Award will be awarded for the first time to the top clinical performing nursing student at the annual Nursing Recognition Ceremony that is scheduled before the college-wide Commencement, which will occur next on Saturday, May 16.

A formal recognition reception with the Clancys in attendance is also scheduled for Thursday, May 14, as a highlight of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of GCC's Nursing Program and the annual Nursing graduation ceremony.

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Nursing Program produces qualified and skilled candidates for positions in the healthcare each year. Under the direction of the Alumni Affairs Office, the Nursing Program Alumni are working hard to help qualified Nursing Program students overcome financial obstacles.

The GCC Nursing Alumni Committee established a new scholarship opportunity for future Nursing Program students to help mitigate financial obstacles to GCC student success. The entire community is invited to kick off National Nurses Week at the Batavia Downs at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, for the debut of the Gatsby Gala to support the GCC Nursing Alumni Scholarship.

Guest registration at the event begins at 5:30 p.m.. followed by a delicious sit-down dinner with a cash bar at 6 p.m. Emcee Scott Gardner, president of the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce, will introduce: GCC's Director of the Nursing Program Laurel Sanger; Chase Hughes, of Buffalo, who will testify to the difference qualified and passionate nurses made for him and his family; and Jennifer Sonricker, of Warsaw, who will share her journey battling her daughter's cancer.

At 7:15 p.m. all guests have chances to win big with door prizes and a cash raffle! The evening will conclude with a beautiful dessert and dancing the night away to the DJ talents of students from GCC's radio station 90.7 WGCC.

Tickets to the Gatsby Gala cost $100 per person and all proceeds go directly to the GCC Nursing Alumni Scholarship.

Tickets are on sale now! RSVP online here. You can also contact the Alumni Affairs Office at alumni@genesee.edu

The Nursing Scholarship is generously sponsored by the following:

Bronze Sponsors:

Summit Family Dental Care

Laurel Sanger

Jerilyn Constantino

Brenda Schiavone

Michelle Grohs

Jeffrey Erickson Law Office

In-Kind Supporters:

Bobette and Dan McCormick

Tops Friendly Markets in Warsaw

Healing Hands Massage & Spa LLC

Steuben Trust Company

Envision Salon & Spa

Michelle Grohs

Jeffrey Erickson Law Office

Additional Donations:

Robert O. Holley

There are still opportunities available to sponsor Nursing Program scholarships at many levels.

For online details go to: https://www.genesee.edu/home/offices/alumni/alumni-events/gatsbygala/ which offers commitments of $100 - $3,000 and also includes In-kind Support for those wishing to customize their sponsorship. All sponsorship levels include a variety of benefits from free advertising to photos, and GCC Foundation recognition.

For more information, contact Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email at jgwakefield@genesee.edu