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Alumni Profiles 



Where are past ACE graduates now?

  • Hope, a 2009 ACE grad is working on the Medical Surgical Floor of the CT Children's Medical Center, as well as per diem at YNHH
  • Also, a 2009 ACE grad, Beth is at St. Raphael's Hospital on the Cardic Step Down Unit.  In addition to orientating new nurses to the floor, Beth also serves on the Nursing Information Technology Committee.  As her schedule allows she returns to SCSU and talks with current ACE students.  She does per diem at the CT Eye Surgery Center as well.
  • Liz from the ACE class of 2010 works at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in the NICU
  • A 2010 ACE graduate, Minori, works in the Orthopedics Unit of YNHH and is going back to school for her APRN.
  • Meredith, ACE class of 2010, works on the Postpartum unit at St Francis Hospital
  • Jonathan graduated in 2011 and is working at the ICU unit in Casper, WY as part of their Graduate Nursing Residency Program



Nancy Hillier, 2008 ACE grad

 

 

Nancy Hillier, BS, RN(SCSU ACE 2008)

With a BS in Biology, Nancy spent many years teaching math, science, religion, geography and computers in a  middle school.  In 2007 she decided to make a career change and pursue a career in Nursing. Southern Connecticut State University had received approval and accreditation for its' Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) program in early 2007.  The program was a perfect match for Nancy.  Now working in pediatrics Nancy offered  her thoughts on the ACE program and the nursing profession.

"I am currently working as a Registered Nurse in a pediatric office. I have found that this has been a great opportunity to work with patients and families in the promotion of well-care and in the development of newborns, adolescents, and young adults as well as assist patients who are ill and in need of immediate health care.

I have found that working as a new nurse has been both challenging and rewarding.  The Ace Program provided me with a thorough nursing education and excellent clinical training which has greatly helped me to meet new challenges with confidence. My initial impression of nursing as a career choice is that it is a well respected profession and there is a dire need for well-educated registered nurses. Opportunities exist within all aspects of the healthcare system and there is an increasing need for home healthcare, acute care in hospitals, long term nursing, and in the private sector. Wages are competitive and many opportunities exist for nurses to have more flexible hours.

Personally, from the onset of my nursing education, I have found nursing to be a very exciting profession with opportunities for advancement and continuing education.  Professional journals and being a member in the Honor Society of Nursing have been great avenues to keep knowledgeable with current nursing research while learning from the experience of other nurses.  The nursing profession has been most rewarding for me thus far and I look forward to many fruitful years! "

 

Brandon Fortier, 2008 BS in Nursing

Brandon Fortier, RN(SCSU BS 2008)

As my diploma was placed into my hand at the 2008 commencement ceremonies, my transition from undergraduate student to autonomous registered nurse began. A time filled with both excitement and nervousness, I knew that I must now put my knowledge and skills into practice. Southern Connecticut's nursing program provided me with a quality education and superior clinical skills, allowing me to pursue my first position with poise and confidence. Southern's senior level capstone rotation, a course where students are allowed to further examine an area or specialty of high interest, strengthened my curiosity in ICU settings. I was granted a rotation on the MICU at the Hospital of St. Raphael's. Upon completion of this rotation, I was encouraged by the faculty and management of this unit to apply for a position. My capstone rotation eased this transition, as I was already familiar with the staff, unit and common diagnoses that I would soon be working with.

Currently, I remain on the MICU at the Hospital of St. Raphael's. I have been granted the unusual ability to aid patients with everything from ADL's, to administering IV vasopressors, to providing end-of-life care. Although some may overlook its' importance, my greatest joy is educating families about diagnoses and the ICU environment, as it can be overwhelming and frightening for many. The spectrum of care I provide on an everyday basis can only be accomplished due to the broad, excellent education that Southern Connecticut instilled in me. My first impressions of Nursing have only fueled my thoughts of furthering my education at the graduate level. This profession has enabled me to learn more about myself through a multitude of experiences; most importantly, through the compassionate and unique care nurses provide to their patients. The fulfillment I receive through the nursing profession has been unmatched by many other aspects of my life. It is now more evident then ever before how integral nurses are to the holistic healing of the ill. I am proud to call myself a Registered Nurse.

 

Patricia Gatcomb, RN, FNP (SCSU MSN, '00)

Patty Gatcomb is a family nurse practitioner and certified diabetes educator with the Yale Pediatric Diabetes Team. She independently provides diabetes education, management, and support for over 600 families affected by Type I and Type II diabetes in collaboration with a multidisciplinary treatment team. Patty practices in three half-day clinics and consults with house staff for both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients.

Patty precepts Yale University nursing and medical students and is on 24-hour on-call one week per month. As part of her practice, Patty initiates insulin pump treatment in appropriate clients.

Research plays a major part in Patty's practice. She serves as the co-investigator and study coordinator for the EDIC study (Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications) and carries out research responsibilities including history, physical exam, blood/urine collection, data collection, patient education and management, and communication with data coordinating center. She is currently involved in several ancillary studies and is a member of the Adherence Committee. Most recently, Patty was the principal investigator in a study entitled, "Frequency and Clinical Characteristics of Severe Hypoglycemia in Children with Diabetes," which Patty completed as part of her MSN requirements at SCSU. Patty received a commendation for her thesis.

Patty has made numerous presentations on topics related to diabetes management and complications locally, nationally, and abroad and has co-authored several articles published in journals such as Diabetes Educator, Diabetes Care, and Clinical Diabetes.

Patty received a BSN (magnum cum laude) from Salve Regina College in 1980 and a Master of Science in Nursing degree (Family Nurse Practitioner Program) from SCSU in May 2000.

 
Tina Tolomeo, RN, (SCSU BSN '89, MSN '94),DNP

Tina has been a pediatric nurse for more than 11 years. She began her nursing career in 1988 as a student clinical assistant on the infant/toddler unit at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. For the past five years, she has been the nurse coordinator for the Section of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine at Children's Hospital. Tina's job is to educate children and families about asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and other pulmonary disorders. Where asthma is concerned, Tina feels that involving children in their own care empowers them to take control of their asthma instead of allowing the asthma to control them. During her career, Tina has served on numerous committees at the hospital, state, and national levels, providing her experience and expertise. Besides being a resource to nursing staff, she is on the courtesy faculty at Yale School of Nursing, where she is a clinical preceptor for graduate nursing students and speaks regularly to health care providers on asthma and other respiratory disorders. Tina recently contributed to the development of an asthma outreach program for the Section of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine. Tina is a member of the Board of the Association of Asthma Educators and the Mu Beta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau--the International Honor Society for Nursing. She is currently enrolled in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at SCSU.