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June 16,
2004
Contact: Gordon
Ovenshine; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu
NEW WEB SITE HELPS NURSING STUDENTS AT
CLARION, EDINBORO AND SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITIES IMPROVE WRITING
SKILLS
SLIPPERY
ROCK, Pa. – A new
Web site that provides access to a chatroom, reference library and tutors at a writing center is the
latest tech-savvy tool for students in the collaborative
Clarion/Edinboro/Slippery Rock Universities Master of Science in
Nursing Program. The resources of this innovative program are also
available to students enrolled in Slippery Rock University’s
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Program.
SRU’s
Virtual Writing Center developed the site for nursing students,
since many of them juggle work, school and family needs. It enables
students to communicate with one another and their professorsat any time. They may also obtain
help on papers from SRU’s Writing Center
staff.
The
Web site, supported by the
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, includes a
digital drop box, so students can submit papers for feedback from
home, said SRU graduate student Kat Ricker, project manager.
Writing Center tutors will review papers and explain how to make
them better, she said.
Even
stronger writing skills will give graduates an advantage in their
careers. “A hallmark of the nursing profession is good
communication, including writing,” said Dr. Joyce Penrose,
professor of nursing and director of the graduate-level
collaborative. “We expect nurses to be able to write
professional reports, clinical articles and procedures manuals. We
expect them to be able to communicate clearly and
cogently.”
Penrose initiated discussion of the Web
site project. SRU’s Dr. Joseph McCarren, associate professor
of English and Writing Center director, and writing center staff
brought it to fruition. Dr. Ramona Nelson, professor of nursing at
SRU, spearheaded the extension of the resources of the Writing
Center to undergraduate nursing students.
Technology abounds
The
Web site is but the latest technology in the collaborative nursing
program. The program featuresclasses with interactive television, exposing
students to professors from each of the universities and enriching
their education. Faculty also use the Internet for presentations,
and a document camera projects clinical slides onto a big screen to
help students with diagnostic work.
For more information,call the Writing Center at
724-738-2654.
#PN, PR, PgN
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