Ka‘ana Mana‘o: UH Maui College offers new Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing
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At about this time every year, anticipation and excitement start to build in earnest as the UH Maui College Fall Semester fast approaches. Well, this year, Aug. 24 cannot possibly come fast enough for our Allied Health Department Chair and Professor of Nursing Dr. Anne Scharnhorst and the rest of the department's faculty and staff. Because after a very long road they -- and we -- will welcome the inaugural cohort of 30 students pursuing our new Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN). Maui-based nursing students will be better prepared for the rigors of a complicated profession after an additional full year of preparation in thinking and learning. It's a big deal.
"This long-awaited transition to a BSN program offers our students expanded horizons -- access to higher levels of education, leadership pathways, and a deeper presence in community-based healthcare, all creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the quality of care throughout Maui County," says Scharnhorst.
Modern healthcare is complex and gets more so every year. One of the challenges this presents is that nursing graduates nationwide are often less "practice-ready" than previous generations. Our college is tackling this head-on. Alongside our new curriculum, which has been thoughtfully developed with input from faculty who are highly educated, experienced, and committed to student success, we are implementing three evidence-based pillars to ensure our nurses are prepared from Day One.
"We are integrating neurodiversity-informed teaching strategies -- moving beyond rote memorization, moving beyond critical thinking to clinical judgement, and situated coaching using authentic clinical scenarios -- to support different learning needs while maintaining high academic and clinical standards," explains Nursing Instructor Ruthie Clearwater. "In addition, we provide strong training, orientation, and ongoing mentoring for our clinical faculty each semester, including support for new faculty hires."
Let's get to the real heart of the matter. Jennifer Poouahi is a proud member of the inaugural BSN cohort. She, too, has traveled a very long road.
"My journey into nursing began in 2017 when I started working at the hospital for the quality department," Poouahi says, "giving me the opportunity to work closely with nurses and witness firsthand the impact they have on patient care. I was inspired by their ability to identify root causes, develop solutions, and implement change that prevent issues from recurring. Their critical thinking and compassion motivated me to pursue a career in nursing and strive to make a similar difference in the lives of others.
"In 2021, my mother suffered a stroke, an experience that has impacted me and strengthened my commitment to this path. It's become my driving force during some of the most challenging moments of my education. Whenever obstacles arose, I reminded myself why I started and the difference I hope to make as a nurse. Each hurdle has taught me valuable lessons about resilience, patience, and perseverance. And now as I enter the BSN program, I look forward to becoming a nurse who has a genuine desire to make a difference."
UH Maui College Advanced Cardiac Life Support set up where content is actually executed in real-time "code blue" scenarios. Photo courtesy UH Maui College
We'd like to introduce you to one more member of the first cohort. Lovemarie Llamelo is our first nursing student from Lānaʻi. "Growing up on Lānaʻi, I learned how important it is to have healthcare providers who truly care about their community," says Llamelo.
"Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant has shown me the difference that compassion, kindness, and dedication can make in someone’s life, and it inspired me to take the next step toward becoming a registered nurse. Beginning my BSN journey brings me closer to my dream of giving back to the island that raised me. I hope to use what I learn to provide the best possible care for my community and to show others from Lānaʻi that no dream is too big when you’re willing to work hard for it."
"Our Nursing program is defined by a legacy of consistent, high-level success," says Scharnhorst. "Over the past three years, we have maintained a 98% retention/graduation rate, with 99% of our graduates successfully passing their licensure exams. As we welcome our inaugural BSN cohort in a few short weeks, we are committed to maintaining these elite standards."
UH Maui College Advanced Cardiac Support set up with students responding to the scenario. Photo courtesy UH Maui College
The healthcare industry in Maui Nui is ready and waiting. "I believe this advancement elevates the education, perspective, and professional lens through which our nurses care for our patients and our community. By investing in our nurses, we strengthen the future of healthcare on Maui," says one of our staunchest supporters, Marian Horikawa-Barth. And she should know. She's the Chief Nurse Executive for Maui Health. And a graduate of our Nursing Program.
For information about the Nursing Program, please visit maui.hawaii.edu/programs/nursing. For information about the BSN degree program, please contact Dr. Anne Scharnhorst at annes@hawaii.edu. For complete information about UH Maui College, please visit maui.hawaii.edu/.
Dr. Lui K. Hokoana is Chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. Ka’ana Mana’o, which means “sharing thoughts,” appears on the fourth Thursday of each month. It is prepared with assistance from UH-Maui College staff and is intended to provide the community of Maui County with information about opportunities available through the college at its Kahului campus and its education centers.