Work Learning Program

The WLP provides a furnished study space at ESH equipped with a computer for online class lectures and assignment completion, refreshments, scrubs, and a set of nursing textbooks. 

WLP students are also offered 2 hours per week of paid study time while at ESH. 

The WLP provides dedicated faculty mentorship (2 hours per month) in addition to regular faculty office hours. 

Peer tutoring is available for coursework and academic writing in person at ESH and virtually. 

Additional supports include a WLP student orientation, professional and educational workshops, and a resource guide for academic and personal support .

WLP cohort students will have ‘check-in’ meetings once per semester where they will have the opportunity to discuss their progress and needs.

We have learned from the pilot study that being in a cohort gives students a sense of belonging and support. The WLP cultivates a space where:

• Students complete their courses as a team​

• Students collaborate during weekly study times​

• Workshops showcase student projects​

WLP program coordinator, Kylie Pemberton, manages all aspects of the program. The program coordinator is responsible for coordinating all WLP activities and serving as a liaison between the College of Nursing, College of Social Work, UK Healthcare, and ESH. The program coordinator is available to assist WLP students throughout the semester. 

Chizimuzo Okoli is the faculty liaison for this program; Tanna McKinney and Marc Woods are the ESH Liaisons.

As University of Kentucky employees, ESH staff are eligible to have 6 credit hours of course work per semester paid through employee benefits (UK Employee Education Program). 

ESH intends to ensure that the participant will have a secure job commensurate with their academic achievement upon completion of their respective programs. (I.e. upon completion of degree, hospital commits to keep nurse as an employee)

This presentation gives more detail about those that participated in the Work Learning Program. 

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Johna's Story

“I felt like getting through the BSN program would be pretty stressful while working full time, but when I heard about the Work Learning Program I thought it would be a great opportunity.  Studying with my peers and discussing the class work with people that were going through the same course load was extremely helpful.”

And what did her work colleagues think of the quality of her work while going through the program?

A colleague of Ms. Arnett’s described Johna and her work team this way: “You are so incredibly inspiring, trying and seeing through a new medication that has allowed this patient to go home to their family! I am incredibly grateful to work with each of you and be a part of this innovative work. Pat yourselves on the back - you deserve it!"

Johna Arnette, BSN, RN, completed her BSN August 2019 as part of the inaugural RN to BSN Work Learning Program (WLP) at Eastern State Hospital. She is currently back in the Work Learning Program as a Doctoral student and will begin year 2 of her studies toward a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. She completed her ADN at Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lawrenceburg campus in 2015. As a WLP RN to BSN student in the UK College of Nursing, she completed a research paper on Staffing Requirements in Psychiatric Facilities to Decrease Staff Injury. Her capstone was Aggressive Behavior in Psychiatric Patients and Nursing Interventions. She wanted to do the WLP program because she wanted to work closely with co-workers and be able to lean on them throughout the process. Her areas of interest are psychiatric nurse leadership. While in the WLP program, Johna was promoted to a Patient Care Manager position. She was also inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honors Society in Spring 2019. Johna has been married to her husband, Jeff, since 2016. They have a 14-year-old Border Collie-Australian Shepherd mix named Harley and a cat named Dora who is 5.

On a scale of 0 being ‘not at all beneficial’ to 5 being ‘extremely beneficial’, to what extent do you anticipate that the following components may enhance your experience in your DSW or DNP program through the WLP opportunity?

On a scale of 0 being ‘not at all beneficial' to 5 being ‘extremely beneficial', to what extent do you anticipate that the following components may enhance your experience in your DSW or DNP program through the WLP opportunity?

Download

Elizabeth Smith

Evaluation of Dyad Effectiveness in a Psychiatric Healthcare Facility

Johna Arnett

DNP Project Proposal (in progress): Aggressive Behavior in Psychiatric Patients and Nursing Interventions

Kevin Bryant

DNP Project Proposal (in progress): Substance Misuse Among People Living with Psychiatric Illnesses

Lella Still

Capstone Project Proposal: Enhancing caring contacts for inpatient discharges from a State inpatient psychiatric hospital to a community mental health center (CMHC- New Vista)

Marc Wood

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Health Access Behaviors of Behavioral Health Nurses Regarding Suicide Prevention

Michelle Van Outer

DNP Project Title: Improving engagement and structural empowerment through the Co-creation of a shared governance program of nurse leaders and direct care nurses.

Tanna McKinney

The Effect of an Educational Intervention on Clinical RN Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Shared Governance Program at Eastern State Hospital

Zakery Sloan

Neuroleadership: a New Burnout Prevention Strategy