With a history of more than 50 years, the Castleton Nursing Department is built on a long-standing tradition of excellence in nursing education through evidence-based innovation.

A prominent key to the success of the department has been its partnerships within the community including an ever-evolving relationship with the largest employer in Rutland County, Rutland Regional Medical Center.

“Castleton and Rutland Regional Medical Center have always enjoyed a great relationship,” said RRMC Chief Nursing Officer, and Castleton graduate Carol Egan, who has over 26 years of service with the hospital and also serves on the university’s nursing advisory board. “For decades the hospital has provided the clinical experience for nursing students, helped develop new programming, worked together on student assignments, and provided support for clinical instructors while the students are doing their rotations at the hospital.”

The strong partnership has allowed students valuable hands-on clinical experience, internship opportunities, and potential job opportunities. Castleton Nursing alumna Kathleen Tredtin found her place as a Registered Nurse at the Rutland Heart Center, an off-site outpatient clinic within RRMC’s health care system. A 2011 graduate, she said Castleton gave her the foundation needed to succeed in the field.

“Castleton’s Nursing program taught me that if you work hard and pay attention you can learn a lot more than you think, and that hard work will pay off,” said Tredtin, who was recently honored as a recipient of the RRMC Daisy Award, which recognizes nurses who deliver compassionate, expert, and extraordinary care.

The Castleton and RRMC partnership took on a new form this year, with the creation of Castleton’s BSN program, initiated after working closely with the hospital to guarantee it met the needs of the local area. The hybrid baccalaureate degree option, a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited program approved by the Vermont Board of Nursing, offers two tracks including a generic RN to B.S. as well as a traditional four-year-licensure. With an emphasis on its online component, the program offers nurses a setting to complete the degree at their own pace, in addition to working full-time.

With the goal of having eighty percent of their nursing staff BSN prepared by 2020, the hospital agreed to pay tuition costs for their staff nurses interested in the program. Their generosity has allowed for 26 RRMC nurses to enroll in the program for the 2016-17 academic year.

“The nurses are thrilled about the program and excited about the opportunity to advance their degrees with the support of the hospital.” said Egan.

Current program participant, Jillian Nichols, ’07, works in ambulatory and post anesthesia care units. “Castleton helped prepare me by giving me the tools and information I needed to become a nurse,” said Nichols.

“It was great to go to school at Castleton and have clinicals at RRMC. This made me more familiar and comfortable to step into the workforce here.” Nichols’ interest in furthering her degree has always been a priority, and with the flexibility that Castleton’s hybrid program provides, she is able to continue full-time work while balancing school.

“Not having to drive to campus for classes is wonderful and much more convenient for someone who needs to continue to work,” she said, thankful for the opportunity the hospital and university have been able to provide. “I think it’s amazing that RRMC cares enough about its patients and staff to put this many nurses through school and support us along the way.”

As the program, and partnership between Castleton and RRMC moves forward, the two are confident they can collectively continue to prepare nurses for the ever-changing healthcare industry.

“The majority of our nursing staff are Castleton graduates, and appreciating the significance of Castleton and RRMC working together builds competent, professional nursing staff, and that benefits the entire community,” said Egan.

Director of Nursing: Jeanne-Marie Havener

Dr. Jeanne-Marie Havener is Castleton’s new Director of Nursing. Havener replaces Ellen Ceppetelli, whose more than four years of leadership enhanced the nursing program through expansion and community growth.

Havener comes to Castleton from Hartwick College, where she was professor of nursing for the past twenty years, and Nursing Department Chair for nine. An accomplished scholar as well as a gifted teacher, she earned her Ph.D. in Nursing from SUNY Binghamton and has been published widely in her field.

“I am energized and excited by what I see at Castleton, and look forward to working with my colleagues in nursing and other disciplines to innovate, advance, and improve the education of future nurses, as well as the quality and safety of healthcare and the health and well-being of our communities,” said Havener.