Chaminade University of Honolulu

Nursing & Health Professions

Nursing Assistant Professor Awarded Scholarship

Eurina ChaCongratulations to Eurina Cha, assistant professor in the Chaminade School of Nursing, for receiving one of seven 2018 National League for Nursing (NLN) National Foundation for Nursing Education Scholarship Awards. This award is given each year to nurses who are pursuing advanced degrees to advance their careers as full-time nurse educators. Award recipients receive $8,000 to use toward a master or doctoral degree.

Eurina ChaEurina is currently in a Ph.D. program and writing her dissertation on cervical cancer perceptions, behaviors and challenges among Korean American immigrant women in Hawaii. Eurina is an Advanced Public Health nurse and has a strong passion for helping underserved populations and bringing diversity to nursing education.

She was presented with the award at the 2018 NLN Education Summit in Chicago on September 13. This year’s summit was the premiere gathering for nurse educators and celebrated 125 years of NLN leadership.

Welcoming New Scholars

“You are very welcome here.”

The Ho‘oulu Scholars Welcome Dinner on September 7, 2018, began with a very welcoming message from Dr. Helen Turner, dean of natural sciences and mathematics and vice president of innovation at Chaminade University. “We are delighted that you are here. Many applied but few were chosen—the Ho‘oulu Scholarship represents an investment in the future of our community here in Hawai‘i.”

Hooulu Scholarship Welcome DinnerChaminade faculty and staff gathered on campus with families from across the state to celebrate the new class of scholars and officially welcome them to the Chaminade ‘ohana. The dinner began with a traditional oli led by returning scholars and Kahoalii Keahi-Wood, cultural engagement specialist at Chaminade University.

President Lynn Babington motivated the students to make an impact. “We are counting on you to lead us into a better world,” she said. “You have an entire ‘ohana here, and we are so invested in your success.”

Thirty six students received this year’s scholarship, joining a cohort of 89 Ho‘oulu Scholarship students on campus. But the evening also brought an exciting announcement from Dr. Helen Turner. Earlier that week, Chaminade University received a prestigious $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to expand the program and offer an additional 15 scholarships next year. She also announced that next year an additional major will be available to Ho’oulu Scholars—the brand new Bachelor of Science in Data Science, Analytics and Visualization. “This will be one of Hawai‘i’s hottest degrees,” said Dr. Turner. “We are the first school here to offer it in support of Hawai‘i’s transition to an innovation economy.”

Hooulu Scholarship Welcome DinnerThe Ho‘oulu Scholarship is a partnership between Chaminade University and Kamehameha Schools to build a new generation of Hawaiian scientists, health practitioners, forensic specialists, environmental professionals and business leaders. Students who are accepted into the program receive full tuition assistance, consideration for a housing stipend and wraparound academic support.Livingston “Jack” Wong, CEO of Kamehameha Schools, inspired the students to work hard and compete. “If you work hard and compete,” he said, “you can do anything.”

Hooulu Scholarship Welcome Dinner

Nursing Program Awarded Full Accreditation

Chaminade’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program received a 10-year full accreditation renewal from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Initially accredited in 2012, this renewal will extend the program’s accreditation into 2028.

“This renewal is an honor and great accomplishment for our nursing program,” said Provost, Dr. Helen Whippy. “This accreditation not only validates the incredible job done by all those associated with our nursing program, but it also let’s prospective nursing students know they can choose our program with the confidence that we will help take their career wherever it is they want to go.”

A CCNE accreditation demonstrates that a school meets specific standards and adequately prepares nurses for the next level in their career. For students interested in pursuing an advanced degree, accreditation of a program is vital as many master’s programs will not even accept applicants from non accredited programs.

In order to become CCNE accredited, a program must go through a rigorous self-examination process where they carefully evaluate their entire program, including their curriculum and support systems. Faculty, students and many others are involved in this process. The information is then shared with the accrediting body. After this, a site visit will be conducted by a team of evaluators assigned by the accrediting body. The team members speak to a variety of staff and faculty to further examine the program and support systems. The accrediting body will then make recommendations to the accrediting board which will then make the final determination about accreditation.

CCNE accredited programs are re-evaluated every five to ten years. Chaminade’s nursing program will have its next on-site evaluation in the fall of 2027.

School of Nursing Training, Inspiration from Mom, Launches Nursing Career for Jordan Tomas ’15

The education alumnus Jordan Tomas ’15 received at Chaminade University’s School of Nursing – and the inspiration he received from his mother – propelled him into graduate school and a health care career on the Mainland. After graduating cum laude from Chaminade and passing his National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse, Tomas joined a medical/surgical unit at University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. He’s also working toward a Master of Science in Nursing degree at UW. Jordan Tomas“Chaminade’s nursing program played a huge part in preparing for my career,” Tomas said. “What made the journey challenging and fun was that I was a student of only the second graduating class in nursing in the school’s history.” Despite the program’s young age, Tomas said students were provided with “some of the latest technology and latest information as the nursing school continued to evolve.” “I learned a lot from my professors and my clinical instructors throughout my four years,” he said, “gaining insight of the nursing profession, the challenges nurses are facing in the real-world and the variety of opportunities in the nursing field.” Also assisting Tomas academically and professionally was his mother, a nurse at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. “She influenced me with her work ethic and her compassion,” Tomas said. “Despite coming home from work exhausted, I could tell that nursing was something she was proud of pursuing. I wanted to help people and I pursued nursing thanks to her influence. “During my time in nursing school, my mom pursued her Bachelor of Science in Nursing through an accelerated program,” Tomas added, “and it inspired me to continue my journey through nursing school.” Tomas is especially grateful to three of his Chaminade instructors: Chief Nurse Administrator and Professor Edna Magpantay-Monroe, Associate Professor Tiffanie Hoffmeyer and Associate Professor Jeanette Peterson. “Dr. Monroe kept our class in line and supported me whenever I needed help in my assignments,” Tomas said. “She was especially supportive when I studied for the NCLEX-RN examination. “Next, Dr. Hoffmeyer taught me a lot in my Complex Disease course, helped me become more confident in my nursing skills and encouraged me to persevere when times were tough in nursing school, which helped made me the person I am today. “Finally, Professor Peterson introduced me to the unique technology of nursing simulation and expressed empathy and compassion when our class needed it. While attending Chaminade, Tomas participated in several special programs, including a nursing conference focused on viral hepatitis and meetings with state legislators to discuss how laws – including nursing-related laws – are passed. He also took part in the TADE Triennial Event, a mass casualty exercise facilitated by the School of Nursing at Honolulu International Airport. Tomas said Chaminade helped him understand “what nursing meant to me.” “There were moments throughout my time in nursing school that I wondered if I made the right career choice or if I could manage to complete nursing school,” Tomas recalled. “I was fortunate to have the friends I made within my class and be able to learn and grow with them despite the challenges. “My professors were nurturing and patient with us and were able to guide us into the path of success in nursing,” he said. “Without taking on this journey, I could not be the nurse that I am today.” Chaminade’s School of Nursing offers a four year, full-time program culminating in a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Students gain medical experience with human-patient simulators, community outreach projects, service-learning and supervised clinical settings. The  fall semester application deadline is February 1, 2018.

Pauahi Foundation Scholarships Help Joey Pantil Pursue Her Dream of Attending Nursing School

Two prestigious scholarships from the Pauahi Foundation are helping Chaminade University undergraduate Joey Pantil realize her dream of becoming a nurse. Nursing student Joey Pantil “When I found out that I received the scholarships, I was so ecstatic, thankful and relieved because I would have a bit of a financial burden lifted off of my shoulders,” Pantil said. The Nanakuli High and Intermediate School graduate is the youngest of four children and the first person in her family to attend college. Now Pantil is on track to receive a bachelor of science degree in 2021 from Chaminade’s School of Nursing. After that, she plans to enroll in graduate school and eventually become a nurse midwife or nursing informatics specialist. “I found out about the Pauahi Foundation through my high school’s college and career center,” according to Pantil. “During my senior year, I made it a point to apply for every scholarship I was eligible for. And because the Pauahi Foundation scholarships have a preference for people with Native Hawaiian ancestry, it was one of the many scholarships I applied for. The foundation awarded Pantil the Dr. Lori Ann Kim Scholarship for students pursuing STEM degrees. Pantil also received the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1960 Scholarship for students demonstrating academic excellence, good character and a commitment to serving their communities. “I had no idea how I was going to pay for college,” Pantil said. “The scholarships that I received not only allow me to attend college, but they push me to work harder in getting my degree in nursing. “Because there are people who believe in me,” she added, “and that is shown with their endorsement.” Chaminade University’s School of Nursing offers a four year, full-time undergraduate program leading to a bachelor of science degree. The school’s core values include holism, caring, diversity, integrity and commitment, plus Marianist values of lifelong learning and community service. The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

School of Nursing Students, Ho`oulu Scholars Raise Health Awareness at ‘Hawaii Children & Youth Day’

Students from Chaminade University’s School of Nursing and Ho`oulu Scholars with the “I Am a Scientist” mobile outreach program raised awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles during the 24th annual “Hawaii Children & Youth Day” at the State Capitol.

“This year is the fourth year that my junior nursing students participated in the fair,” pointed out Assistant Professor Eurina Yujin Cha. “Our purpose was to provide health screenings and nutrition education for parents and encourage physical exercise and vaccination education for children.”

Nursing students volunteering their time at the Oct. 1 event were: Abigail Adina, Mae Kimberly Corpuz, Ashley Farin, Airelle Guron, Eric Ganding, Jadelyn Yasuoka, Melissa Biador, Lauren Ngatuvai and Shayvell Noa.

Ho`oulu Scholars Cassandra Ainoa-Kanoho, Dairian Balai, Hi‘ilani Fujihara-Nagamine and Destiny Hamasaki underscored the importance of making healthy dietary choices by using hydrometers to reveal how much sugar is hidden in sodas, fruit juices and flavored milk.

In addition, the students showed more than 400 children how to read nutrition labels, while encouraging them to pursue college degrees and STEM careers.

“It’s important for people to understand that their children can have only a certain amount of sugar each day,” pointed out Hamasaki ’21, a Forensic Science major. Accordingly, this outreach educated “not only children who came to the table, but the parents who brought them.”

“This experience made me cut down on juice,” Hamasaki added, “so now I only drink water.”

Fujihara-Nagamine ‘21, an Environmental Studies major, said there were “many surprised faces” among children and parents when they realized how much sugar is contained in certain beverages.

“It was very eye opening for them, and some of the children even told me they were going to drink more water from then on,” Fujihara-Nagamine said. “A lot of the parents really appreciated that our booth was raising this awareness and thanked us for educating their children about how much sugar they intake just from sugary drinks.”

Fujihara-Nagamine described the outreach as “truly amazing.”

“Being able to help spread knowledge to families and children was really fun, and their enthusiasm was refreshing,” she said. “It reminded me of my childhood when I would learn about similar subjects. I never thought I would have the chance to be the one on the other side of the table teaching.”

Research Associate Lori Shimoda, who directs “I Am a Scientist” and founded the program in 2009, described the student volunteers as “fabulous ambassadors for Chaminade.”

“They were professional, cheerful and engaging,” Shimoda said, “with both little kids and their parents.”