Shenandoah University and Valley Health enjoy a special, long-term relationship that has proved fruitful for both organizations. In addition to grants, clinical education, maximized use of technology and the location of Shenandoah’s occupational and physical therapy programs at the old hospital facility (333 West Cork Street), and its nursing, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and respiratory care programs at the Winchester Medical Center campus, the partnership has provided students and healthcare practitioners with invaluable professional development opportunities.
Valley Health’s Clinical Education Support program, which includes internships and one-on-one preceptorships, pharmacy residencies and group clinicals, supports 300 students from Shenandoah. The Winchester Medical Center hosts 20–35 BSN students in clinical preceptorships each semester, and a summer nursing internship program provides third-year Bachelor of Science (BSN) students with paid, supervised positions.
As was originally envisioned 50 years ago, collaborative partnerships between Shenandoah University and Valley Health provide a pool of highly trained nursing graduates with opportunities to begin their careers at the Winchester Medical Center. The collaboration also helps Valley Health address the problem of nursing shortages in areas that require additional training, like critical care. The two organizations developed a program to fill shortage areas, and two recent Shenandoah nursing graduates, Erin Connelly ’12 and Hannah Gall ’12, were the first new graduates accepted into the program.
The liaison approach has created an atmosphere where dialogue occurs and where partnerships benefit both parties. Vice President of Nursing/Chief Nursing Officer at Winchester Medical Center Kathy Tagnesi BSN, RN, MA, CNA-A, claims this collaboration is part of the reason Winchester Medical Center received its Magnet hospital designation, an honor awarded to only five percent of the nation’s hospitals. For Shenandoah University, the collaboration with Valley Health continues to provide students with opportunities to develop the clinical skills they’ll need to meet the challenges of the evolving nursing profession.