Accelerated Nursing Program helps reduce Idaho's nursing shortage
Brandon Carver was a mechanic when the tragic events of September 11, 2001 occurred. At that moment, he realized he wanted to do something more to help people.
He spent ten years as a first responder to medical emergencies. After working in the emergency room at Mckay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, UT and later at St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center, he realized he wanted to provide a higher level of care to his patients. And to further his education, he chose the Idaho State University Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing Program.
“I chose Idaho State because I work in the ER, and I’ve seen the quality of nursing students they put out,” Carver said. “I knew when I decided to advance my career, this was a school and program I wanted to go to.”
Carver says he is a big proponent of educating the patient, and enjoys seeing the information ‘click’ in their mind. These qualities caught the eye of Associate Vice President for ISU-Meridian, Dr. Patty Marincic, who participated in the annual ISU Thomas Geriatric Symposium and Thomas Interprofessional Education Event sessions this past fall.
“Brandon exhibited strong knowledge of the complexities of the patient scenario, no doubt benefited from his prior clinical experience and commitment to his studies,” Marincic said. “Most notably, he did not lose sight of the patient as an individual, and connected the dots for our interprofessional team of learners. Nursing is both a high tech and high touch profession and Brandon exhibits both qualities along with unbridled humility.”
Carver’s advocacy for patient education also extends to when his own family is in need of medical care. Around Christmas of 2018, Carver’s father had a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) heart pump placed. He drove back to Utah eight times over six weeks to be there and learn all he could about the device.
“This proved to me that I enjoyed learning about how to help others care for themselves,” he said.
Originally from Bountiful, UT and currently residing in Kuna, ID, Carver said he looked at other options for education, and knew the program at Idaho State was the best option for him. He knew he was signing up for a rigorous three semesters, but knew that was the best choice for him and his family.
Carver and his wife have a seven-year-old son. Carver says his wife, who has been a nurse for 13 years and is the director of nursing for her home health company, has been extraordinarily supportive and has also been a huge help in his studies.
“It’s allowed me to lessen the impact it’s had on my family and me while still working part-time,” he said.
The accelerated nursing program, which admits 30 students at the start of each summer semester, is taught using online, interactive telecommunication, and face-to-face techniques. Each year, the program awards approximately $40,000 in scholarships and focuses on all aspects of being a nurse, from planning direct and indirect care for diverse populations in rural or urban settings to valuing behaviors congruent with current standards of professional practice.
“The program has been far and beyond anything I could have ever expected,” Carver said. “The instructors really care about what they’re teaching us, and want to make sure we’re ready to go out and be a very competent nurse.”
Carver says he plans to get in a few years at the bedside in critical care, then he will go back to school to obtain his master’s degree, allowing him to teach in nursing programs and become a clinical educator in the hospital.
