Creating teachable moments

Charlton, MA: Nurse educators identify teachable moments in practice as an effective way to increase learning. Teachable moments are linked directly to optimal patient care. A positive learning culture both in didactic and clinical settings are key considerations at Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy. Everyone plays a role, faculty, staff, students, nurse educators, and especially alumni. Effective teaching is important in healthcare. The faculty and staff at Bay Path recognize the richness of clinical practice as a learning environment as well as the importance of development and creation of capacities for teaching.

The possibilities for identifying and creating teachable moments extend to former students and now alumni, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Nursing roles at Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy, such as executive assistant to the Academy Director and Financial Aid Administrator (FAA) are held by alumni Donna Pope, LPN and Heidi Bedard, BSHS, AACJ, LPN, respectively.

Photo shows from left, Executive Assistant to the Academy Director Donna Pope, LPN, Gretheline Bolandrina, DHA, MSN Ed, RN, CRRN, Academy Director, and Ruth “DeeDee” Betz, AS, LPN, of the PN Class of 2015 was the former Practical Nursing Secretary.

Pope of Southbridge is the first to hold the position of Executive Assistant to the Academy Director. Pope brings a wealth of experience and a proven record of success. Pope is from the PN Class of 2017. She was a speaker for the PN Class of 2021 with a message of hope in the journey of becoming an LPN. She encouraged graduates to be alert to opportunities – something at which she has excelled. Pope was with the STDH Program at Center of Hope Foundation in Southbridge. She briefly worked as a Flu Clinic Nurse at Maxim Healthcare in Worcester. While a student at Bay Path, Pope was inducted to the National Technical Honor Society. She represented Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy at SkillsUSA District competition earning a Gold Medal and at State competition earning a Bronze Medal both for Health Knowledge Bowl. Pope is Mental Health First Aid Certified.

Bolandrina believes that engaging LPN graduates at the Academy drives substantial growth and significantly enhances the practical nursing operations. Globally, healthcare is faced with the challenge of educating the workforce of tomorrow while caring for the patients of today. Every nurse is an educator and learning opportunities abound. Embedding education and learning, teaching and alumni engagement is a winning combination at the Academy. Teachable moments or brief opportunities for learning align care delivery and education.

About Bay Path RVTHS Practical Nursing Academy:?Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy offers a 40-week, (10-month), full-time, Monday through Friday, evening program. The program begins mid-August and is completed in late June. Graduates receive a Practical Nursing Certificate and are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. The Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy is fully approved by the: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Human Services of Public Health Board of Registration in Nursing 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 617-973-0900 https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing The Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy is accredited by the: Council on Occupational Education 7840 Roswell Road Building 300, Suite 325 Atlanta, GA 30350 Telephone: 800-917-2081 www.council.org Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School is fully accredited by the: New England Association of Schools and Colleges 209 Burlington Rd, Suite 201 Bedford, MA, 01730-1433 781-271- 0022 www.neasc.org