SIEGMANN PURSUES NURSING DEGREE AT UNM

August 26, 2003

SIEGMANN PURSUES NURSING DEGREE AT UNM

Elisa Diane Siegmann's father's injury in a coal mining accident during her freshman year at Grants High School exposed her to the miracles of medicine.

"My dad broke his femur, shoulder and forearm. I was amazed at his recovery while under the care of University Hospital," Siegmann said.

Born and raised in Grants, Siegmann set her sights on medical school. She chose UNM because it was close to home and she would receive free tuition and other benefits with help from Elk's Club Continental Divide and UNM Scholars scholarships.

Living in the dorm her first year enabled Siegmann to report at 7 a.m. for hospital clinicals. Also a volunteer at the UNM Pediatric Pulmonary Clinic, she seized an opportunity to shadow both doctors and nurses.

"I got to see true collaborative care - how everyone pitches in to make these kids better. The nurses had so much more patient contact than the doctors. They really make a difference," said Siegmann, who was so enamored she switched gears and enrolled in the UNM College of Nursing.

Led by Dean Sandra Ferketich, the college is dedicated to solving the statewide nursing shortage. Ferketich and nursing faculty have put together several programs to help meet the need.

Students who have an associates in nursing can now earn a bachelor's online.

"We have students statewide - in Gallup, Las Vegas, Farmington, anywhere a student has access to a computer," Ferketich said, adding that students visit main campus for four days to learn how to use the library long distance, Web CT, and to meet faculty.

Coursework for a master's in nursing is also online. Students can specialize in nursing education, nursing administration or community health nursing.

The UNM student pass rate for the Registered Nurse exam exceeds 90 percent. The college typically admits 32 new students each semester, but with recent legislative support, it now admits closer to 48. Siegmann is a member of the first expanded class graduating in May and will be awarded a bachelor of science in nursing.

"The instructors at UNM College of Nursing are excellent and really care about students' futures," Siegmann said. "If you put the effort in they will bend over backward to make sure you succeed.

"People are not educated in what nursing is all about. Most students who come from around the state want to be doctors, but you can have more personal time with patients and be more involved in their care as a nurse," Siegmann said. "You can get a master's in nursing, be a nurse practitioner or earn a doctorate. It's a versatile field. You are not tied down to one specialty area. I learn something new everyday at work."

Elisa is the daughter of Roger and Evelyn Siegmann and sister of Regina Siegmann, residents of Grants.

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