To provide more resources for learners and alumni to ensure they have long and prosperous careers in nursing, the Nightingale College Alumni Association is launching an alumni advisory committee. Attendees at Flame Forward! may recognize four of the five advisory committee members — Sadie Carlsen, Kylie Carter, Michael Pulsipher, and Laura Richitelli — as they spoke during the townhall panel discussion. The fifth, Ana Lisa De Vera, was the fall 2024 Nightingale College class valedictorian. “This committee will be proactive in everything it does,” said Bernard C. Austin II, Director of Alumni Relations. “This won’t be an advisory committee where we sit around, eat, and laugh. The reason why this committee is being formed is to shape and make the alumni experience better.” Austin said the alumni experience will be enhanced by virtue of the different backgrounds of the alumni committee, noting that Carlsen didn’t go the education-into-nursing route but instead started her own business. Richitelli is a former U.S. Air Force LPN, Carter oversees hiring nurses, and Pulsipher facilitates his own center. “Their experiences post-Nightingale could provide insight to learners or alumni who are curious about what they wished they had done or had access to while they were a learner,” said Austin. “This is where that peer-to-peer mentorship comes in.” One of the more immediate means of establishing the committee is the launch of the Alumni Advisory Committee podcast. The format will be similar to the Flame Forward! panel where the committee will have an open chat with Austin about lots of topics.
“It might be asking, what was your hardest class? How did that class set you up for success? What would you say to someone entering the field?” said Austin. “It’ll be where alumni, learners, and faculty members can come into the chat.” Podcast topics will consist of what the committee feels needs to be discussed along with learner feedback. As the committee seeks ways to be impactful, Austin suggested possibilities could include regional meet and greets where learners and alumni could learn what to expect after getting their degree. The overall goal for the committee is to ensure learners and graduates do not contribute to the number of nurses that end up leaving the field after one or two years. “We don’t want to be part of that statistic,” said Austin. “The alumni committee solves issues and creates a community where they have something to look forward to after graduation. We are invested in the time from graduation to retirement, and this is what we need to do to make sure that we keep engagement up.” Involve- ment will be measured through surveys, engagement increase, and overall interaction, added Austin. Austin also noted opportunities for employer partnerships, including sponsored job fairs, facility tours, and hosted meals promoted through the Nightingale network. “Engagement leads to results, partnerships, and a strong alumni pipeline,” he said.
Ultimately, Austin said the committee aims to highlight postgraduation opportunities for alumni to use available resources. “We want to break down barriers and make it easier for people to reach out when they need support.” Brightening Our Future Alumni Advisory Committee Aims to Strengthen Postgraduation Success
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