Story: Betsy Compton | Photo: Cody Ingram

The 宅男福利社 will receive $1.8 million in federal funding to strengthen nursing education and workforce development, thanks to the appropriations leadership of U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.).

Senator Britt, a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, directly secured the funding through the Senate passage of the FY26 Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations Act. 

鈥淚 am proud to have directly secured $1.8 million for Sumter County in this appropriations bill,鈥� said Senator Britt. 鈥淭his funding will procure crucial medical equipment supplies and improve the nursing education facilities that help train Alabama鈥檚 strong workforce of healthcare professionals.鈥�

The funding will support UWA鈥檚 Alabama Rural Nursing Enhanced Technology Project, which will provide the Ira D. Pruitt College of Nursing with updated high-fidelity simulation training equipment for nursing students.

These advanced tools will expand UWA鈥檚 ability to deliver continued high-quality education for students pursuing an associate of science in nursing (ASN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree and better prepare graduates for certification exams and careers in healthcare. 宅男福利社nursing graduates have been among the top in the state for NCLEX pass rates for several years.

鈥淎t UWA, we are committed to providing exceptional educational experiences to our students to give them the advantage they need when they graduate and begin their careers,鈥� said 宅男福利社President Dr. Todd G. Fritch. 鈥淭his funding comes at a critical time for our region and the State of Alabama , and it will help ensure that we continue to offer high quality, workforce relevant nursing programs as we invest in advanced high-fidelity simulation equipment and facility upgrades.鈥�

Building on the university鈥檚 existing simulation-based learning experiences, these enhancements will expand experiential learning opportunities and ensure students train using technology that reflects today鈥檚 evolving healthcare environments.

鈥淲ith this support, 宅男福利社will be able to expand training capacity, modernize our learning environments, and better prepare nurses to serve the communities where they are needed most,鈥� said Dr. Mary Hanks, Dean of the College of Nursing. 鈥淐linical experience is a critical component of nursing education. Through simulation technology, we can provide additional hands-on experiences for our students with faculty members by their side to guide them and make the most of those teachable moments in a controlled environment.鈥�

University leaders note that the project will significantly impact the state by helping retain licensed nurses in Alabama and addressing the ongoing nursing shortage.

The post Britt secures $1.8 million for 宅男福利社to expand nursing training, address rural healthcare workforce needs appeared first on 宅男福利社.

Story by: Lisa Sollie | Photo/Video: Cody Ingram

More than six years ago, Leighanna May was a nursing student in Speith Hall on the 宅男福利社 campus, graduating in 2019. Today, she鈥檚 come full circle, serving as an assistant professor in the College of Nursing, teaching alongside the same faculty who once guided her. Many colleagues say her return was meant to be.

In 2022, while working at a Critical Access hospital in her hometown of Butler, Alabama, May was encouraged by several of her former instructors to consider clinical instruction. When an opportunity opened, she applied and was selected. However, before starting that role, she experienced both joy and heartbreak鈥攚elcoming her son, Owen, in October, but tragically losing her husband in December. In the wake of her devastation, May began coordinating clinical rotations at Ochsner Rush in Meridian for UWA鈥檚 nursing program in February 2023.

Since earning a master鈥檚 degree in nursing administration from the University of Alabama in August 2024, May has channeled her passion and experience into strengthening pediatric education at UWA鈥攍eading the development of new simulation experiences that better prepares nursing students for the challenges of pediatric care.

Her love for pediatrics made May the perfect fit for the position, according to Dr. Mary Hanks, dean of the College of Nursing. And it鈥檚 paid off.

鈥淭he way our clinical rotations and maternal/child courses are structured, students often study both simultaneously, and most of their time is spent with labor and delivery,鈥� May explained. To give students more hands-on pediatric experience, the College of Nursing introduced a pediatric manikin鈥攁ffectionately nicknamed ‘Carter.’

Highly versatile, Carter allows May to design realistic training exercises that test students’ critical thinking and nursing skills. In one scenario, students might find Carter 鈥渟truggling to breathe鈥� with low oxygen levels, prompting them to perform appropriate nursing interventions. During these simulations, May can identify knowledge or skill gaps and work to address them during subsequent class time.

鈥淎 pediatric mannikin like Carter is really impressive,鈥� May said. 鈥淗e has breath sounds, vital signs, and can even interact with students鈥攕ometimes telling them 鈥楴o鈥� when they try to give him medicine. It鈥檚 been amusing to watch their reactions,鈥� she added, laughing.

鈥淭hese simulations are very beneficial to our program and add another layer to students鈥� knowledge and skill set,鈥� May noted. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a safe learning environment where students can practice in a controlled setting, and if they make mistakes, we can just turn the 鈥榩atient鈥� off. I鈥檝e asked for feedback from each class that rotates through, and they all seem to enjoy working with Carter.鈥�

May recalls that right before graduating from UWA, many of her now-peers told her they thought she鈥檇 be a perfect candidate for nursing education. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 see it then because I just knew I wanted to do patient care,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he Lord just provided for me to come here instead, and I鈥檓 so glad I get to do this for a living. I love teaching.鈥�

That passion for teaching is at the heart of everything she does.

Her job, along with her colleagues, is to equip students to become highly competent nurses. But May says they never lose sight that their students aren鈥檛 just a number or an outcome.

鈥淭he people鈥攖hat鈥檚 really my favorite thing about UWA鈥檚 Nursing program. Everyone cares about our students, and we want to prepare excellent nurses who care deeply about their patients and want what鈥檚 best for them. Everybody works hard to make that happen. I鈥檓 grateful to be part of such a wonderful team.鈥�

The post College of Nursing expands pediatric simulation program at UWA appeared first on 宅男福利社.

Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

Willie Daniels began helping his mother manage her health when he was just five years old. This May, the Demopolis native will walk across the stage at the 宅男福利社, fulfilling a dream, decades in the making.

For Daniels, nursing has never just been a career choice鈥攊t鈥檚 a calling rooted in a lifetime of caregiving. 鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to be a nurse,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 wanted to learn what I needed to do to care for my mom.鈥�

After graduating from John Essex High School in 2009, Daniels enrolled as a nursing major at the University of Alabama. But during his sophomore year, his life took an unexpected turn when his mother suffered a severe epileptic seizure. As her condition became unstable, Daniels made what he calls a heart-wrenching decision to leave school at the end of the semester to care for her.

鈥淚 knew I couldn鈥檛 balance schoolwork and take care of her at the same time,鈥� Daniels recalls. 鈥淚 made the only decision I could.鈥�

Years later, after stepping away from school while working and caring for his mother, he returned to the field with a renewed focus on caring for babies. 

While in nursing school, Daniels secured a nurse externship with the DCH Health System, an opportunity that allows student nurses to work under the mentorship of registered nurses. This experience provided him with the chance to enhance his nursing skills, develop critical thinking, and time management. Employed by DCH, Daniels began his externship in the trauma intensive care unit before transitioning to the neonatal intensive care unit. Throughout both placements, he performed many of the same duties as registered nurses, gaining valuable hands-on experience. 鈥淚 got to do everything the nurse does, and it helped with my proficiency,鈥� he explains.

But getting to this point wasn鈥檛 easy. Returning to school at 33鈥攏ow married with two daughters, Annalise and Arin鈥攎eant overcoming new challenges.

鈥淚 definitely couldn鈥檛 have done this without my wife鈥檚 support,鈥� Daniels declares. 鈥淚 worked many jobs over the years to support my family, even earning an associate degree in business from East Mississippi Community College. But after my mom passed in March 2020, I had no excuse not to pursue my dream.鈥�

Pursuing a nursing degree meant quitting his job and relying on his wife, Patience, a criminal justice instructor at the University of Alabama, to support the family.

鈥淧atience has been so strong throughout this process. When I come home tired, she鈥檒l sit at the table with me, grading papers while I do my schoolwork鈥攈olding me accountable every step of the way. She鈥檚 got my back,鈥� Daniels says.

Family encouragement and patient feedback throughout nursing school confirmed he was on the right path. 鈥淚鈥檝e had patients鈥� families pray for me and speak life into me,鈥� Daniel reflects. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 so encouraging. It lets me know I鈥檓 fulfilling my calling.鈥�

Though he once considered becoming a labor and delivery nurse, Daniels now has his sights set on becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. He recently accepted a job as a NICU nurse at DCH in Northport, allowing him to gain critical care experience while continuing to care for newborns 鈥攁 requirement for acceptance into CRNA school.

Daniels knows he wouldn鈥檛 have made it this far without the unwavering support of his instructors at UWA.

鈥淭hey don鈥檛 coddle you, but they will sit down and help you figure out why you missed a question on a test or struggled with a skill set,鈥� he says. Their approach helped him feel capable and encouraged him to keep going.

Daniels has discovered that sometimes, life鈥檚 biggest obstacles can be overcome by taking a single leap of faith.

鈥淚f there鈥檚 something you can鈥檛 stop thinking about鈥攖hat鈥檚 God tugging at you,鈥� he says. 鈥淗e鈥檚 telling you, 鈥業f you take one step, I鈥檒l take two.鈥� That鈥檚 what I did. I prayed about it, took one step, and it felt like God took ten.鈥�

His faith continues to guide him. Drawing strength from his spiritual beliefs, he said he often recites Philippians 4:13: 鈥淚 can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.鈥� This Bible verse, he says, keeps him grounded and resilient through challenges.

Perseverance, one of the cardinal principles of his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., is a value Daniels strives to embody. He demonstrated it fully by completing a long-held personal goal and earning this nursing degree. 

A deep sense of responsibility drives him. As one of the few males in the program, he understands how important representation is in the field. He often wonders why some male nursing students don’t persist.

鈥淚s it because they don鈥檛 have male professors to relate to?鈥� Daniels reflects.

This question has led him to consider a future as a nurse educator, with the hope of helping to bridge that gap. However, he still plans to become a CRNA, believing that nurse educators should first have field experience.

鈥淭eaching nursing isn鈥檛 just about understanding disease processes,” he explains. “It鈥檚 also about having good bedside manner and building rapport with patients. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 develop those skills without practicing them.鈥�

As he nears the end of this chapter, Daniels reflects on his journey with gratitude and faith. 鈥淟ooking back, I know God guided me every step of the way,鈥� he says.

His only regret is his mother isn鈥檛 here to witness this moment. 鈥淪he would be so proud.鈥�

The post From childhood caregiver to nurse: father of two fulfills lifelong dream appeared first on 宅男福利社.