Monday’s Daily Dose: Kent State University removes barriers to nursing school to help with shortage
New pathways help qualified students become nurses even without traditional high school prerequisites.
CLEVELAND — Kent State University’s College of Nursing is making it easier for motivated students to pursue nursing careers by removing traditional admission barriers. The school now accepts academically strong students who didn’t take required high school science courses—a change that could help address the ongoing healthcare workforce shortage.
Tracey Motter, DNP, RN, the associate dean of academic affairs at Kent State’s College of Nursing, says many qualified students were being turned away simply because their high schools didn’t offer certain courses or they discovered their passion for nursing too late. “We looked at those students and many of them had 4.0s, 3.5s,” Matter explained. The new pathway allows these students to take one science course at a time instead of the traditional two per semester, while still graduating in four years.
The program incorporates artificial intelligence into nursing education, using advanced simulation labs where mannequins interact with students like real patients, providing immediate feedback on clinical decisions.
In other health news, Dr. Sara Whittingham, a clinical faculty member at Northeast Ohio Medical University, has been appointed to the federal Advisory Council on Parkinson’s Research, Care, and Services. The appointment by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. runs through December 2029. Whittingham, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020, will help shape national research priorities and strengthen care models for those affected by the disease.
A new Cleveland Clinic survey finds nearly one in four Americans are unsure if they have an increased risk of heart disease—even though most have at least one risk factor like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Many risk factors are silent, including family history, smoking, obesity, poor diet, lack of sleep, and being sedentary. However, the survey shows progress: forty percent of Americans say they’ve improved their diet, and 27 percent are exercising more to protect their hearts.
Speaking of exercise, Cleveland Clinic says running outside in winter offers unique health benefits. Running in the cold provides the same aerobic benefits as summer runs while boosting mental health during darker months. Your body also works harder to stay warm, which can improve muscle strength, increase endurance and burn more calories. Experts recommend taking it slow on snowy surfaces and dressing in moisture-wicking layers with wind-resistant outer wear.
