Briar Cliff University Nursing

Congratulations Michaela & Katherine!

Photos: 2024 Briar Cliff graduation The class of 2024 graduates from Briar Cliff University during their commencement ceremony, Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre.

Standing room only to celebrate the graduates of 2024! Congratulations 👏🏻 🎉

Some of the graduate level nursing students who are being hooded and pinned today.

Some of the 2024 BSN graduates being pinned.

Congratulations class 2024. Nursing Pinning. Thank you BCU faculty and staff for

Happy Nurse's Week! 🩺

Michaela Lange, a senior Nursing student, chose nursing because she loves caring for people and being healing hands to those who need it most. Among all of the class memories she will cherish, one of her favorites is from the nursing carnival where students practiced their skills and had a relay race while doing so.

After graduation, Michaela will move near Wynot, NE, get married in June, and work at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital as an Emergency Room Float Nurse after passing her boards.

Today's Senior Spotlight features RN-BSN student, Stephanie Gross. Congratulations Stephanie!
My hometown is Spencer, Iowa. W
What I enjoy about being a nurse is helping others. I love being in an environment where I am constantly learning and growing in my career. I like to make people smile and try to bring them joy. I pride myself on giving quality care and treating all my patients with kindness and respect.
I enjoyed my experience with Briar Cliff. All my instructors were so helpful, and everyone was always happy to help when I had questions. I feel good knowing I have earned a quality education.
I would like to continue my education and earn my MSN. I know I will be successful because the support of my family has been phenomenal. I have a loving husband, three wonderful sons ages 16, 11 & 6 and an amazing 14-year-old stepdaughter. We also have some awesome pets in our home we love very much. We have a dog, and her name is Cleo. We also have two cats. A large lovable orange cat, his name is Harley, and a small, cute cat named Ziggy who loves to climb and always keeps us on our toes. I love my family and could not have accomplished this without their love and support which keeps me going every day.

Happy Nurses Week! We are so proud of each and every one of you !

Congratulations to the newest members inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Society!

Join us for the Siouxland Mental Health Conference on April 27, 2024, presented by Briar Cliff University Occupational Therapy Program & Unity Pointe Health; featuring special guest speaker Stephen Nawotniak, OTR/L, NYCPS. Learn about the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) for Healthcare Professionals and discover Occupational Therapy's vital role in addressing mental health needs.

Register now to earn valuable insights and tools to enhance mental health services in Iowa.

Today's Senior Spotlight features Pre-licensure BSN student Kirsten Martinez. Congratulations Kirsten!

Hometown: HOUSTON TEXAS

What or who inspires you?
My family has always inspired me and pushed me to get me where I am today.

What is your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment has been finishing nursing school soon and becoming a soon-to-be first-generation college graduate!

What is the most important thing in life?
Family
Favorite drink?
Water, Sweet Tea & Dr. Pepper

Our next Senior Spotlight feature Pre-licensure BSN student Dallas Green. Congratulations Dallas!

Hometown: Henderson, NV

What or who inspires you?
My mother is the one who inspires me the most. She was the one who pushed me towards the medical field and has been my main support system when it came to getting through nursing school and college itself.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
My plan after graduation is to work at MercyOne Siouxland in either the Post Critical unit or the Emergency Room.

Tell us about one memory from nursing school.
One of funniest memories from nursing school was when we were first starting to learn how to start IVs and when I went to go practice on the manikin’s hand it went straight through the hand instead of the vein.

What is your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is making it to college and being the first one in my family to complete college all the way through.
What is the most important thing in life?
The most important thing in life is family because without my family I would not have been able to get here without them and their continuous support and encouragement.

What has required the most courage in your life so far?
What took the most courage in my life so far has been having to bring myself back into nursing after having lost my mother to cancer in December 2021. It was a hard time in my life, but I was thankful to have supportive friends to help me get through it and get me back on my feet.

Favorite drink?
My favorite drink is lime cucumber Gatorade.

Favorite music genre?
My favorite music genre is alternative rock.

A fun fact about you…
A fun fact about me is that I have taken 3 years of cooking courses.

Today's Senior Spotlight features Pre-licensure BSN student, Katie Baker. Congratulations Katie!

Hometown: Homer, Nebraska

What or who inspires you?
My parents. They are the hardest workers that I know and have made me who I am today.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to work in the emergency room at St. Luke’s hospital. I am so excited to get started in my first “big girl” job!

Favorite music genre?
My favorite music genre would have to be country- anything Cody Johnson!

Our next Senior Spotlight features Pre-licensure BSN student, Nicole Flores. Congratulations Nicole!

Hometown: Sioux City, Iowa

What do you plan to do after graduation?
After graduation, I plan on working as a mother and baby nurse at Unity Point.

Tell us about one memory from nursing school.
My favorite memory from nursing school is getting to go to Children's Omaha Hospital and spending time with my nursing friends.

What is the most important thing in life?
The most important thing in my life is my family. I want to thank my parents, who sacrificed everything just for their daughter to accomplish everything she dreamt of.

Today's Senior Spotlight features RN-BSN student Nicole Johnson. Congratulations Nicole!

My name is Nicole Johnson, and I come from a humble background in the beautiful town of Sioux City, Iowa. However, the greatest blessing in my life is my wonderful family. I am married to my loving husband, Dexter and we have two precious daughters, Paisley and Ella, who bring immense joy and happiness to our lives. Additionally, our family includes a loyal and loving dog named Prely, who completes our close-knit family unit.

As a nurse, the ability to make a difference in someone's life is the driving force behind my passion for this profession. It is truly an honor to be able to use my skills and expertise to help others in their time of need. Whether it is providing compassionate care to my patients or supporting my colleagues, I find immense fulfillment in the opportunity to make a positive impact.

One program that has been instrumental in shaping my leadership journey is Briar Cliff's program. Through this program, I have had the opportunity to develop my leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of compassion in healthcare. The program offers a supportive environment where I can collaborate with other leaders and learn from their experiences.
Earning a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) has been a crucial milestone on my path towards becoming a nursing leader. This degree has not only expanded my knowledge base but has also provided me with the necessary qualifications to take on more responsibilities and leadership roles within the healthcare system.
Moving forward, I am eager to further enhance my leadership skills and pursue a Master's degree in Nursing Leadership. This decision reflects my commitment to personal and professional growth, as well as my desire to make a meaningful difference in the healthcare industry. By pursuing this advanced degree, I aim to become an even more effective and compassionate leader, capable of guiding and influencing positive change within the nursing community.
My journey as a nurse has been guided by a deep passion for making a difference in the lives of others. The Briar Cliff program has enhanced my leadership skills and provided me with a supportive network. Earning a BSN has been a crucial steppingstone towards achieving my career goal of becoming a nursing leader. Looking ahead, I am eagerly looking forward to expanding my knowledge and skills through the pursuit of a Master's degree in Nursing Leadership.

Today's Senior Spotlight features Pre-licensure BSN student, Michaela Lange. Congratulations Michaela!

Hometown: Wynot, NE

What do you plan to do after graduation?
I will be moving back closer to home and working as an ER float nurse at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. I love the Avera community and am so excited to be starting my nursing career in this position!

What is the most important thing in life?
My faith is a very important aspect of my life and helps me serve my friends, family, and patients to the best of my ability.

A fun fact about you…
I will be a third-generation nurse! I’m feel so blessed to follow in the footsteps of my mom Stephanie and Grandma Jan!!

Last week our senior nursing students learned about self-care and wellbeing in their Transition into Professional Practice course. The class participated in a circuit training class with their faculty.

Our next Senior Spotlight features Pre-licensure BSN student, Veronica Pitzl. Congratulations Veronica!

Hometown: Harrisburg, South Dakota

What or who inspires you?
My family is my biggest inspiration. Their support has meant the world to me as I’ve navigated my way through nursing school and as I prepare to graduate. They are always there to help me make the right decision and have taught me from a young age how to be compassionate and caring.

Favorite drink?
My favorite drink is either an iced chai tea latte or a uncarbonated Raspberry Acai Green Tea Celsius.

A fun fact about you…
I love nature, plants, and warm weather. I am the proud mother of 5 little indoor plants already and I want to have a huge garden outside after I graduate.

Today's Senior Spotlight features Pre-licensure BSN student, Chelsea Ramirez Cruz! Congratulations Chelsea!

Hometown: Sioux City

What or who inspires you?
My Father and Mother are the ones who inspire me to keep going. Watching everything they have given up in their life to allow me to live mine is amazing. The countless 14-hour work days that they have completed for my education to keep going. They inspire me to be a great Nurse and person with the way that they cheer me up without asking anything in return.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
My plan after graduation is to start working on the Labor and Delivery unit or Pediatric nursing at Children's Hospital in Omaha.

Tell us about one memory from nursing school.
One core memory in nursing school was spring break junior year when a few fellow nursing students and I decided that our goal for self-care was to go to Applebee’s and it ended up being the best night out, it really made us grow closer together!

Today's Senior Spotlight features RN-BSN student, Keesha Beauchene! Congratulations Keesha!

Hello! My name is Tykeesha, but most people call me Keesha. Here’s some information about me. I am from Sioux City, but grew up in Duncanville, Texas. I moved back to Sioux City in 2006.
I am a non-traditional student and got my RN degree from WITCC in 2021. I am 42 years old, and currently work as a GI nurse at MercyOne. I love serving our community and helping save lives. Please get your colonoscopy screenings!
I plan to take a few years off from school and enjoy my son’s remaining high school years. When he goes off to college, I plan on working towards a Master's degree for leadership or education. I have 6 wonderful children, ages from 24-15. My favorite hobbies include gardening, reading, hiking, golf, volunteering with Junior League of Sioux City, and spending time with my family. We have two cats and a dog, and I really enjoy spending time outdoors.
My RN to BSN journey at Briar Cliff has been incredible and I have made several lifelong friends along the way. I was honored to be invited into Briar Cliff's chapter of Delta Epsilon Sigma honor society and was honored to receive their J. Patrick Lee Service Award. The RN to BSN program between MercyOne and Briar Cliff has provided me with the incredible opportunity to further my education and advance my career!

Today's Senior Spotlight features MSN student Courtney Studer. Congratulations Courtney!

Hometown: I am from Spencer, IA but recently moved to Sioux Falls, SD.

What or who inspires you?
My husband inspires me to stay focused while working towards my goals even through the toughest times when I feel like giving up. My children inspire me to live in the moment and enjoy life one day at a time. My patients inspire me to advocate for advancement in treating mental illness.

What is the most important thing in life?
One of the most important things in life is truly knowing who you are as an individual. It's easy to get caught up in the titles of “spouse” “parent” or “employee.” Although these are extremely important titles, you must prioritize your own wants and needs in order to preserve your individuality. So, explore new hobbies and interests; prioritize self-care; and remember your thoughts, feelings, needs, and wants are valid.

Fun Fact about Courtney
My husband and I have 8 kids ages 23, 18, 16, 15, 14, 12, 10, and 4 years old. Six are girls and two are boys.

Feels like Spring(well for today anyway)!
It's that time of year to start honoring our graduating seniors. Check out our first Senior Spotlight featuring a few questions with MSN AGNP Student Jennifer Shaw! Congratulations Jennifer!

What or who inspires you?
My kids and my older patient population.
Tell us about one memory from NP school.
One memory I will share is lab day last summer and learning about placing and IUD, looking at a microorganism under the microscope and injecting lidocaine into raw chicken skin.
What is the most important thing in life?
One of the most important things in life is being able to be present in the moment you are in at that time.

Stop by the 2024 Health and Wellness Fair tomorrow from 11:30 AM-2:30 PM!

The event is open to the entire campus community and participants can expect hands-on activities/challenges, health and functional screenings and tests, free samples, and more.

Today our Faculty Feature is focusing on Dr. Sandra Scholten-
Here's her story!
Sandra Scholten, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C began her nursing career as a nurse’s aide while in high school. Her caring nature emerged many year before that, in childhood, as she helped with the animals on her parents’ farm in rural South Dakota. After receiving a BSN from Tennessee Tech University, Sandy’s first RN position was in labor and delivery in a small rural hospital in Sparta, Tennessee. She later moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she worked on an inpatient dialysis unit. It was there that she realized her passion for education and eventually returned to school to pursue a master’s degree in the family nurse practitioner specialty track. After completing her studies, she accepted a faculty position at Vanderbilt University. Sandy and her husband made the decision to return to the Midwest to be nearer to family and raise their son. The two went on to foster children and adopted their four beautiful daughters. Sandy’s passion for education and knowledge never relented and she returned to school for a terminal degree in nursing from the University of Iowa. Soon after completing this degree, she accepted a position as faculty at Briar Cliff University. She has enjoyed teaching students in the master’s and doctoral programs over the years. She was asked to serve as the family nurse practitioner track coordinator and most recently to step in as the interim co-chair of the nursing department.

Introducing... Cliff 🐶💙

A service dog-in-training, Cliff is part of the Partners for Patriots program. Dogs are trained to help veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, physical injuries such as disabled limbs, and more.

Cliff is currently in the puppy training program and lives with a BCU faculty member. He is often on campus walking with students to get used to being in public and surrounded by people he doesn't know.