Nursing Students Benefit from Partnership

In an effort to stem the nursing shortage, Saint Xavier University and Joliet Junior College have signed a dual admission agreement to offer nursing students a unique educational opportunity.

Under the agreement, Joliet Junior College students earning an associate in applied science degree in Nursing can complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Saint Xavier’s Orland Park campus. Student progress is facilitated through timely completion of program requirements and improved sequencing of learning experiences.

The agreement makes the process of earning an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree easy and seamless by enabling Joliet Junior College students to create a four-year plan for completing their bachelor’s degrees at Saint Xavier University. As long as continuous enrollment is maintained, this agreement ensures a smooth transfer of credits between institutions, guarantees graduation requirements are met and facilitates early financial planning.

The agreement helps Saint Xavier University and Joliet Junior College work together to train enough qualified nurses to deliver quality health care and safely meet the needs of a diverse population into the new century.

The U.S. Army Medical Department has announced sweeping new financial incentives for nearly 30 Health Care specialties in the Army Reserve. New benefits include increased stipends for students and greater loan repayment options for health care providers.

"Army Health Care is an important career option for all health care providers and students to consider," says Col. David Baker, director, health services, U.S. Army Recruiting Command. "The new benefits will allow more practitioners, such as doctors, nurses and dentists, to serve their country and make a difference in the lives of Soldiers and their families."

Army Health Care professionals treat patients in the U.S. and overseas, in hospitals, clinics, natural disaster areas and war zones. The Army Reserve provides a rich learning experience that challenges creativity and helps individuals develop leadership skills.

New financial incentives and benefits available for Army Reserve Health Care professionals include:

• Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program: Provides up to $50,000 for repayment of educational loans in good standing to qualified Reserve Officers in the Medical, Nurse, Dental, Veterinary and Medical Service Corps. Payments are made in increments over a three year period.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree - Specialized Training Assistance Program (BSN-STRAP): Provides a monthly stipend of $1,279 to qualified students pursing a nursing degree for a maximum of two years. It is intended to supplement other financial programs that may be available to qualified Reserve Officers completing a BSN, such as tuition assistance. Degree programs must be completed, in good standing, within 48 months of signing the BSN-STRAP agreement.
• Medical/Dental Student Stipend Program (MDSSP): Provides qualified medical and dental students a monthly stipend of $1,279.
• Special Pay: Provides Selected Reserve (SELRES) health care professionals in approved critically short wartime specialties, including physicians, surgeons, nurses and dentists, an additional stipend either $5,000 or $10,000 per year. Special pay amounts are contingent on one’s specialty. Participants may choose between one, two or three years of affiliation with the Army Reserve Selected Reserve when applying.

Recent research has cast a more positive light on growing older. Known as “successful aging”, the basis for this concept is a better understanding of diseases more common in late adulthood, maintaining high levels of mental and physical health and engaging in an active social life.

Throughout the New Year, ALDEN facilities across Chicago, suburban areas, Rockford and Wisconsin are hosting a series of free educational seminars for the community and health care professionals focused on “successful aging”. Each presentation is approved for continuing education credits. Topics range from

• Perceptions on Aging
• Dementia 101 and 102
• Navigating the Managed Care Highway
• Advance Directives & Guardianship
• Planning for Long Term Care
• Healthcare Trends for the 21st Century
• Professional Caregiver Burnout: Are You at Your Wick’s End?
• Working with the Alzheimer’s Patient & Family
• Understanding Illinois Exceptional Care
• Understanding the Medicare Modernization Act
• Humor, Stress and Healthcare

Part of the ALDEN Circle of Values is a commitment to life long learning. It is in that spirit that we offer these seminars, so that everyone may learn about successful aging.” stated Floyd A. Schlossberg, ALDEN’s President and CEO.