The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Lincoln Regional Center (LRC) started a new partnership with the College of Saint Mary to train future mental health nursing professionals.
The partnership aims to benefit the College of Saint Mary by providing students training and professional experience in a mental health setting and provide LRC with additional professionals in its workforce. Students will gain experience with treatment for adult patients with severe and persistent mental challenges and their discharge plans.
“The LRC is thrilled to have students from the College of Saint Mary. They are a tremendous asset to our team,” said Mitchell Bruening, LRC Hospital Administrator. “In the short time they have been at LRC, I have seen the students learn, treat all with dignity, and serve Nebraskans with compassion.”
Students will assist with health education and group activities for patients to explore the need for mental health support in structured and community-based settings. Currently, 22 students are enrolled to train at LRC. They started in late September 2024.
“Strategic partnerships allow DHHS to carry out its mission of helping people live better lives with excellence and create a workforce pipeline at the DHHS facilities,” said Allison Bartlett, Talent Acquisition Director at DHHS. “The nursing labor market is competitive. Our staff is excited to work with the College of Saint Mary students and grow this partnership.”
While on the LRC campus, students learn about the role of nurses and technicians in a psychiatric hospital and how to address mental health needs. Students gain direct experience, and guidance on how to offer care to destigmatize individuals living with mental health challenges.
“The partnership between the College of Saint Mary and the Lincoln Regional Center reflects our shared commitment to providing care that honors the dignity and needs of every individual,” said Christi Glesmann, Assistant Dean for Health Sciences at the College of Saint Mary. “This collaboration offers tremendous opportunities for our nursing students to gain invaluable clinical experience while learning the importance of compassionate care. Together, we are building a stronger nursing workforce that will positively impact the health and well-being of all Nebraskans and our Nebraska communities.”
The College of Saint Mary hopes students will continue their career in the mental health field after graduating with their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Individuals who are interested in attending the College of Saint Mary can learn more about their programs and clinical opportunities at http://www.csm.edu/nursing. Current students can learn more about opportunities available at the LRC by talking to their guidance counselor or program coordinator.
Reflecting on their experience, a current College of Saint Mary student shared, “This rotation has taught me to look at people so differently. They are people. They have likes, dislikes, hobbies, and so much more.”
The LRC is a The Joint Commission (TJC) accredited psychiatric hospital operated by DHHS in Lincoln, Nebraska that serves some of the most vulnerable Nebraskans who face mental health challenges. Individuals are placed at LRC under guidelines set by the Nebraska Mental Health Board Act in Nebraska Revised Statutes 71-901 – 71-963 and 83-338.
Learn more about the Lincoln Regional Center: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Regional-Centers.aspx