Norcross campus hosts Nursing Residency Fair

Students at the nursing residency fair.To help future nurses achieve their career goals, the Brenau University Norcross campus held a residency fair for the students in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

The fair, held Thursday, Oct. 31, is the first for the new ABSN program, and Laura Hart, program coordinator and assistant professor of nursing, said there are plans for more in the future.

“Not only is it important for us that our students graduate and pass NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) but we want to make sure they get jobs as well,” Hart said. “Since we have such good relationships with the area hospitals, we wanted to bring them in and show off our students and let them give information on their residency programs so we can help match up our students with potential future employers.”

While students don’t have to do a residency before securing a job, Hart said the on-the-job training helps ensure the students are practicing safely.

“There are a lot of things that as nursing students, they just don’t get to see in the clinical experience,” she said. “Residencies not only match them with an employer and a unit but let them see first-hand all of the different types of patients while under the mentorship of an experienced nurse.”

Christine Rutt from Woodstock, Georgia, has a long-term goal of working in an administrative position to advocate for the patents and employees. She graduates in August 2020 and thought the residency fair was a huge help with the next step in her career.

“I wanted to get a feel of what to expect once I get closer to graduating since it is a bit away,” Rutt said. “Just get some networking out there, meet some people and learn what to expect.”

ABSN students.Four health care systems were available at the fair: Northeast Georgia Health System, Piedmont Healthcare, Pruitt Health and the Northside Hospital system. Each system has several places and units where the students could work.

Although she has a little over a year until graduation, Mackenzie Lowe from Cumming, Georgia, went to the fair to help her prepare for when she has to start applying for residencies. Lowe has a background in veterinary medicine and said many of her classmates have spent time working in hospitals.

“I’m still so new to nursing that I don’t know much about it,” Lowe said. “The fair helped me gain more knowledge.”

Christine Rutt from Woodstock, Georgia, has a long-term goal of working in an administrative position to advocate for the patents and employees. She graduates in August 2020 and thought the residency fair was a huge help with the next step in her career.

“I wanted to get a feel of what to expect once I get closer to graduating since it is a bit away,” Rutt said. “Just get some networking out there, meet some people and learn what to expect.”

Nehali Patel, from Snellville, Georgia, wants to go into education or administration to help future nurses learn correct methods on how to help the patients. She said she will “absolutely” do a residency after she graduates in August 2020.

“You get a feel for what you need to do,” Patel said. “It’s not like, ‘You graduated, you got your license and you’re on your own.’ It’s good to know there is still support.”