Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing
Above: Metlakatla students smiling with RRANN Student Success Facilitator Rebecca Dreier during the RRANN spring 2015 outreach trip to Southeast Alaska
Kijik: Gathering Place
Our newsletter is called, Kijik, or “Gathering Place.” Kijik (or Qizhjeh) was a well-populated Dena’ina settlement. The Dena’ina abandoned Kijik as a settlement in 1909 due to concern over a measles outbreak, but still gather at the site to collect subsistence foods necessary for a healthy life. This continues the long tradition of Kijik being a gathering place where people care for each other. RRANN wishes to offer its deepest respect and gratitude to James Hobson as well as his mother, Aggie, for their gift of this name capturing the dream of its students and staff: Native people joining in community to build a healthy future. We invite you to join us in these pages as a community celebrating the news and accomplishments of our people. Photo by Naomi Chuckwuk
Inside this Issue:
2-4: Our Recent Graduates 9: RRANN Student Home Communities: 5: The Della Keats Program Gathering from Many Places 6-7: Recruitment Update: 10-11: Meet the RRANN staff! RRANN Staff Visits Fairbanks and Kotzebue Congratulations to Bob Love 8: RRANN Connections 12-13: Interested in Supporting RRANN? A Place to Share and Connect
3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99508
(907) 786-6944 http://nursing.uaa.alaska.edu/rrann https://www.facebook.com/rrann.nwdp
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Graduates who earned their Bachelors of Science in Nursing:
Kijik Fall 2014 Anchorage Campus: Samantha Brown Kaylee Grant Nicole Moore Kayla Murphy Julia Riopelle Above: Fireweed Photo by Naomi
My name is Samantha Brown and I am RRANN staff and Samantha’s fellow from Nome, Alaska. I am a May 2015 students would like to recognize UAA graduate with my BS degree in Samantha’s special gift to the RRANN nursing. Program. Samantha initiated a new standard for the School of Nursing My father raised my siblings and me on Recognition Ceremony: use of the many of our Inupiaq traditional values. RRANN logo next to the names of I grew up learning to be a hard worker RRANN graduates to honor their status as and to help others as well as respecting Alaska Natives and/or American Indians elders and sharing with others. I am a and their participation in the hard worker because of my upbringing RRANN program. and that has motivated me to pursue success. Quyanaq Samantha!
My name is Kaylee Grant, and I am from Kenai, Alaska. I am a May 2015 UAA graduate with my BS degree in nursing.
I grew up in a diverse home heavily influenced by two drastically different cultures; my dad is Alaska Native and my mom is from the South. Growing up, I always wanted to be a nurse. Their compassion, care, and nurturing characteristics have always inspired me and lead me to pursue the nursing profession.
RRANN has been a positive experience for my education. The Program has helped me stay focused and motivated in my nursing courses. It has also created a positive community for nursing students where we could share thoughts and experience with one another.
Best wishes for blue skies and beautiful things! Thank you for sharing your nursing pathway with RRANN students and staff. We are all so proud of you! Page 3
Continued: Graduates who earned their Bachelors of Science in Nursing:
My name is Kayla Murphy, and I am from Anchorage, Alaska and Eklutna, Alaska. I am a May 2015 UAA graduate with my BS degree in nursing.
My auka always said, “Smart people don’t get bored.” This is how I pursue everything in my life. My auka was a strong, hardworking woman, and I strive to be like her everyday in my attitude and cheerful spirit.
I have enjoyed being a good spokesperson for the RRANN Program and a team player in the goal of helping Program desires to become reality.
My name is Julia Riopelle, and I am from Eek, Alaska. I am a May 2015 UAA graduate with my BS degree in nursing.
Eek is a Yup’ik community on the Kuskokwim river. I am Yup’ik and have good understanding of the Yup’ik language.
Pursuing a career in nursing is a way to help my Native culture thrive in healthy and positive ways. I endeavor to work at the Alaska Native Medical Center as an R.N.
RRANN has introduced me to other students who have been through the same courses, and these students have provided me with encouragement during challenging and frustrating times.
Above: Lake Aleknagik Photo by David Sanderlin
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Associates of Science in Nursing: Kijik Fall 2014
Fairbanks Campus: My name is Amy Warren and I am a May 2015 Amy Warren graduate with my Associate of Nursing Science degree.
I am a Chickasaw tribal member and a military spouse. I am looking forward to transferring to South Dakota with my three daughters and husband who serves in the Air Force.
I intend to pursue National Nursing Certification License as we are a lifetime military family, so we will be moving a lot in the future.
Above: Spring 2015 Fairbanks graduates receiving their degrees Above: Kanakanak Beach Rocks Photos by David Sanderlin
Were you a RRANN graduate? Would you like to reconnect?
Greetings to all our RRANN If you have news to share with alumni! We’d like to hear our Kijik newsletter audience, what you are doing now in please contact Stephanie: your careers and families, and [email protected]. we’d love to feature that information in future RRANN We hope you are all doing Kijik newsletters. well and being happy in your nursing careers! Page 5
The Della Keats Health Sciences Summer Program
Above: Della Keats Participants Photo courtesy of WWAMI
The Della Keats Health Sciences Summer Program is a program offered to high school students in Alaska through the University of Alaska WWAMI School of Medical Education. The goal of the Della Keats Program is to foster, affirm, and encourage high school students’ interest in the medical professions by allowing them to explore health-care careers and to obtain a valuable introduction to college life.
Current high school juniors and seniors in Alaska who meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible to apply for the program:
Come from an ethnic minority background Live in rural Alaska (off the road system) Be a first-generation American Be the first in his/her family to go to college Speak English as a second language, and/or Be economically disadvantaged
The RRANN Program is thankful to partner with the Della Keats Program! RRANN staff serves on the selection committee and as guest speakers for Program participants. We offer a special welcome to the two future nurses attending the Summer 2015 Della Keats Program!
For more information on the Della Keats Program, please visit: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/wwami/programs/dellakeats-udoc.cfm
Above: Sitka Roses Photo by Stephanie Sanderlin
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Recruitment News: RRANN Staff Visits Southeast Alaska
This spring, RRANN Student Success Facilitator Rebecca Dreier traveled to Southeast Alaska to visit students in
Metlakatla, Ketchikan, and Sitka. Below: All photos by Rebecca Dreier Kijik Fall 2014
Rebecca began her recruiting trip at the University of Alaska campus in Juneau. Above, the UAS Juneau campus library
Above: Killer whale weathervane in Ketchikan harbor Above: Rebecca Dreier
Rebecca’s second destination was Metlakatla Junior High School and High School. Above, Above: Wolf clan house in Metlakatla masks created by Metlakatla students Page 7
Adventures in Juneau, Metlakatla. Ketchikan, and Sitka!
After Metlakatla, Rebecca headed to Ketchikan to visit both college and middle school/high school students. Above: welcome sign on main street in downtown Ketchikan
Above: Totem Pole in Metlakatla
Rebecca finished her trip in Sitka where she visited the three high schools and the University of Alaska Southeast campus
Left above: Mt.Edgecombe welcome sign
Left right: entrance to University of Alaska SouthEast Sitka campus
Left below: View from the Mt. Edgecombe High School Library
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RRANN Kijik Gatherings: A Place to Share and Connect
Gatherings with food and sharing are a vital part of Alaska Native/American Indian culture. RRANN staff ensures
that culturally appropriate foods are served at most of our RRANN Kijik gatherings to celebrate tradition and Kijik Fall 2014 combat the homesickness, sadness, and isolation that Alaska Native/American Indian students often face.
RRANN Kijik gatherings occur monthly during Fall and Spring semesters. Each gathering provides a place for students to connect with each other and guest speakers to encourage, inform, and enrich them.
Would you like to be a guest speaker?
If you are a RRANN supporter—and especially if you are a RRANN alum—we would be honored to have you volunteer as a guest speaker for one of our RRANN Kijik gatherings. We are always looking for people to speak on healthcare/nursing, Native traditions, customs, values, and issues, volunteer opportunities, and community building.
To volunteer as a guest speaker, please contact Stephanie at [email protected].
Above: Happy students at a RRANN Gathering
Above: Salmon spread bowl before and after a RRANN Gathering—we are very good at eating together Page 9
RRANN Students’ Home Communities: Gathering from Many Places
Eek*
Kodiak**
We welcome our newest students from Kodiak and Eek! We are happy to add two more communities to the gathering of communities we serve! *The community of Eek is located southwest of Bethel. For readability, he RRANN service map lists communities by general area served rather than exact geographic location. **Due to space allowance, Kodiak is shown in its correct geographic location.
Have you visited the RRANN Facebook Page?
The RRANN Facebook page is an online gathering and The RRANN Facebook page is another sharing place. You can find announcement and updates place to connect! Please visit: https:// for RRANN events as well as articles, pictures, and news www.facebook.com/rrann.nwdp from the healthcare field and from Native communities.
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Jackie Pflaum RRANN Project Coordinator [email protected] 907-786-4527
Kijik Fall 2014 Alaska Anchorage faculty in 1979, Jackie Pflaum is now the Associate Vice Provost for Health Programs Development. Her research in nursing history includes a biography of Elinor Gregg, first Nursing Director of the An itinerant public health Bureau of Indian Affairs. nurse in the Yukon Kuskokwim region before joining the University of Rebecca Dreier UAA/UAF RRANN Student Success Facilitator [email protected] 907-786-4714
Born in Elementary Education from the community involvement with the Bethel, but UAF. Her professional background many diverse cultural groups and raised in includes many years of work with at individuals in our state including her the -risk student populations and Alaska membership in Pav’va Inupiaq Fairbanks Native students in elementary and Dancers, a dance group based in area, high schools. She has over 25 years Fairbanks.
Rebecca of experience in coaching/ Rebecca works with RRANN Dreier mentoring in many different areas, students all around Alaska. She comes from including sports, performing arts, truly enjoys connecting with the a long line and community service groups. wide variety of communities and of educators and holds a B.A. in Rebecca also has many years of cultures in our state.
Joel Manalo Tutor Coordinator [email protected] 907-786-4553
Joel Manalo was born and raised in the Philippines. He In August 14, 2014, Joel graduated from the UAA with his moved to Ketchikan, Alaska in September 2000 at the age BS in Nursing. As the RRANN tutor coordinator, he tutors of 11. Moving to the US at such a young age allowed Joel nursing students from different trimesters. He also to quickly adapt to American culture. connects pre-nursing students who seek tutoring for nursing pre-requisite classes. He says, “This job allows me During high school, Joel took a Child Psychology class as to give back to students by tutoring them. It also helps me he was interested in pursuing a teaching degree. His develop effective teaching styles interest in health care as well led him to a medical while maintaining the knowledge I terminology class. Part of the medical terminology course have acquired in nursing school.” allowed students to shadow somebody in a hospital. Joel was partnered with a nurse in a long-term care facility and Joel is very interested in becoming a noticed that the nurse did patient teaching in regards to nursing educator in either the their medications. This taught Joel that nursing involves university or clinical setting. He more than caring for the sick as nurses are also educators. recently passed the NCLEX and Nursing is a profession that will allow Joel to combine attained his RN license and plans to both of his career interests! work in clinical settings before pursuing a higher degree in nursing. Page 11
Shannon Sumner UAF Recruiter/Advisor and RRANN Student Success Facilitator [email protected] 907-543-4599
Shannon Sumner started life in South Dakota, a land with Therapy. Her Internship was at winter similar to her new hometown of Bethel, Alaska. She Olympic College in WA, and is the youngest in a family of five, and moved to Southern she stayed on there as a California in grade school. She graduated from Arizona Counselor and Career State University with a BA in Liberal Arts, which is the Advisor, helping nursing and degree many students who like multiple subjects equally pre-nursing students reach often complete! their goals to become R.N's.
She spent 10 years in the land of books and learning, first This Fall, she made her way north to the off the road as an Elementary Librarian, then as a Young Adult Librarian system to the tundra town of Bethel. As the RRANN in the Seattle area. She decided that she wanted to help Student Success Facilitator on the Kuskokwim Campus in folks learn more about themselves, and went back to Bethel, she is continuing to serve students who look to school for a Master's degree in Marriage and Family contribute to their communities as nurses.
Stephanie Sanderlin UAA RRANN Student Success Facilitator [email protected] 907-786-6944
Stephanie Sanderlin is of Yup’ik, English Teaching. She spent 15 years in secondary Aleut, Russian, and German education before moving to the UAA School of Nursing to heritage and is originally from work for the Anchorage RRANN program. Dillingham, Alaska. Her parents, Jim and Jeanie Timmerman, Since Stephanie's mother served as an Alaska public health raised Stephanie along with her nurse for over 30 years and currently works for the Head three younger siblings in a Start program as Wellness Content Manager, Stephanie has subsistence and commercial been pretty well-acquainted with nursing and nurses fishing family. throughout her lifetime. Consequently, she realizes the incredible role nurses play in healthcare and is eager to After graduating from help Alaska Native and American Indian students as they Dillingham High School, Stephanie attended Northwestern pursue their nursing degrees. College in Orange City, Iowa and received her B.A. in
Robert Love UAS Outreach Specialist [email protected] 907-747-7777
Bob Love is retiring after many RRANN staff and students would like to thank Bob for all years of work in education! the work he has done on behalf of students. We honor him and wish him good times and good adventures in his Congratulations on your life ahead. retirement, Bob! We will miss you, Bob!
Kijik Spring/Summer 2014 RRANN matters! Interested in supporting RRANN? students graduate from UAA’s nursing programs. support through their studies, the program has helped 223 Native Alaska and American Indian Through recruiting Alaska Native students into nursing and providing both group individual and population (16%). percentage of Alaska Native American and Indians innursing to equal their percentage of Alaska’s goalThe of Recruitment Retention and of Alaska Natives in (RRANN)Nursing isto increase the Page give back, I feel and that’s important because Ibelieve inRRANN with all my heart. RRANN helped me alot I when was going through the nursing program. Ihave Now the income to communicated, symptoms ofillness are overlooked or anddeath.life When cultural competency missing is from health care, important information not is “Providing culturally relevant health care is not a matter ofpolitical correctness; it isoften a matter of tutoringand provided to program members. Contributions to this special program support the mentorship, cultural community, financial support RRANN oneof is UAA’s most successful initiatives with a96% graduation rate. 12
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contact the RRANN staff at (907) RRANN at staff the contact 6944 or 6944
— — RRANN GraduateRRANN R.N. and FloraSapp, Donor, Founder,RRANN TinaEdD, DeLapp, R.N. misinterpreted
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Page 13 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #107 3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, AK Anchorage, Alaska 99508
(907) 786-6944 http://nursing.uaa.alaska.edu/rrann https://www.facebook.com/rrann.nwdp
Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing is vital, enriching, and valuable to both the University of Alaska system and Alaska’s diverse and varied communities. RRANN began in 1998 with federal grant funds to recruit and mentor Alaska Native and American Indian students in the pursuit of nursing degrees. In 2006, UAA ranked 7th in the nation for Alaska Native and American Indian students earning Bachelor degrees in various health-related programs. Sixty percent of these graduates were RRANN students.
RRANN employs student success facilitators around the state to support students in the day-to-day challenges of school and life. The program also helps students connect with on-campus housing, career and academic advising, job placement, and academic and financial aid resources, including a scholarship program open only to RRANN students. RRANN students have access to the free loan of tools like lab coats, stethoscopes, SmartPens, and scrubs. RRANN, in partnership with community and other UAA agencies, also works to provide enriching gatherings and guest speakers who offer guidance and wisdom to students as they continue in their pathways to nursing careers.
Since 1998, RRANN has proudly seen 223 Alaska Native and Above: View from Skilak Lookout Trail American Indian students graduate from the School of Nursing. Approximately eighty percent of RRANN graduates remain in Photo by Alaska to serve our population with excellent and culturally Anecia Tretikoff O’ Carroll relevant health care.