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Tampa Bay Student’s Passion for Education Leads to Innovative Idea
Natasha Colón is a current Tampa Bay student in our ADN Program. Colón’s Galen story is one of passion, perseverance, and ingenuity. Her nursing journey began in March of 2020, just a few days prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she discovered that she was pregnant with her daughter. The challenges of the pregnancy combined with the overwhelming stress of a global pandemic offered Colón her fair share of adversity.
Yet, she persevered throughout those nine months, which resulted in Colón finding her calling in the field of nursing. Natasha explains that her experience in labor with her midwife inspired her to pursue a career in nursing.
“The midwife that helped me through my pregnancy made me feel safe and prepared to take this massive life step. She truly made me feel like I was more than another patient. It was after that experience that I knew that I wanted to give others the same positive birthing experience I had.”
She recalls discussing this aspiration with her cousin, who recommended she look into Galen of College of Nursing. After a few meetings and a campus visit, Colón was enrolled and on track to becoming a nurse.
On campus, Natasha truly felt inspired and eager to learn.
“I love going to class. The teachers are always there to support me while still challenging me academically. They truly create an environment that I feel l can thrive in both personally and academically,” she says.
However, it was her time in our Advanced Simulation Center and clinical settings that inspired Colón to create a tool that would, not only help advance her hands-on experience, but her peers’ as well. Natasha found that organizing her head-to-toe assessment and care plan was difficult due to the large size of notebooks and the inevitable amount of scrap paper used.
Colón desired to have a notebook that would eliminate this inconvenience and focus better on patient care. So, she designed a specialized journal that displays a breakdown of Galen’s Head-to-Toe Assessment and Care Plan on the left and a section for reflection on the right. Moreover, she measured the exact dimensions needed to allow the book to fit conveniently in the pocket of her Galen scrubs. Immediately she began looking into turning her idea into a reality and after a mere 48 hours, the book was available for order.
Colón’s intention was for the book to be for personal use. However, her classmates soon took notice of its clean design, helpful interior, and convenient size and inquired her as to where to get one. This led to Colón beginning to sell this book to other students. The students left raving reviews of the usefulness of the book and brought it to the attention of some Galen faculty members.
“I really just wanted to share this tool I had created and I am glad that it is helping my classmates improve their clinical skills. Beyond that, I am glad that my classmates supported me and my idea. I really think this book, though small, can truly help Galen students learn to provide exemplary quality care,” explains Natasha.
Colón is set to graduate in 2023 and is enthusiastic about her future in health care.
“I have aspirations to continue my nursing education and become a certified nurse-midwife. I cannot begin to explain how excited I am to give others the same birthing experience that I had.”
Beyond her career aspirations, Natasha Colón elaborates that she wants to be sure to foster an environment of inclusivity and diversity during her time at Galen and in her future as a nurse.
“Making sure every person I encounter feels supported, cared about, and safe will always be my top priority. I always want to help others. I love helping my peers in class, my daughter grow, and my patients feel better. Caring for others is and will always be my calling,” boast Colón.
In support of Colón’s dedication to nursing education, passion for patient care, and desire to help others, Galen College of Nursing will be offering a limited number of Colón’s books in our on-campus stores.
At Galen College of Nursing, we truly change the life of one to care for the life of many.
Galen College of Nursing Instructor Selected for National Award
CINCINNATI, Ohio – June 15, 2011 – Galen College of Nursing faculty member Taylor Musselman, BSN, was chosen for the DAISY Faculty Award, sponsored by the Daisy Foundation, an organization dedicated to the appreciation of the nursing profession.
Musselman is a clinical instructor who began teaching at Galen in 2009. She has taught clinicals for Medical-Surgical Nursing and Chronic Illness, and also works to obtain and coordinate preceptorships for students. Musselman was nominated by her students rather than by her employer.
The DAISY Faculty Award provides colleges/schools of nursing with a national recognition program they may use to demonstrate appreciation to teachers for their commitment and inspirational influence on their students. The AWARD is bestowed upon outstanding nurse educators across the United States, chosen by the foundation based on submitted nominations. The Daisy Foundation is overseen and operated by a board of directors made up of active and retired health care professionals.
“Winning a DAISY award is a special honor for any nurse or nurse educator,” said Galen Vice President of Academic Affairs Tracy A. Ortelli, PhD(c), RN, CNE. “And to be nominated by her students shows just how much Taylor puts into her role at Galen and as a nurse educator in general. We at Galen are happy for her and proud to have her as part of our esteemed faculty. ”
Student testimonials led to Musselman’s award. Wrote one student: “Taylor was available for every student. She was very busy but was always very caring and compassionate with the patients. I admire her for always having a smile on her face, working hard, and being available for any question and for all her students.”
Another student wrote of Musselman, “She was always willing to help us become more knowledgeable, even to the point of making worksheets for points on which we were weak or confused.”
About Galen College of Nursing
Founded over 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
About the DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Foundation was established in 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died of complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. (DAISY is an acronym for “diseases attacking the immune system.”) During Barnes’ eight-week hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided not only to Pat but to everyone in his family. So one of the goals they set in creating a foundation in his memory was to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people by the work they do everyday.