The nursing students write the mission statement and goals of the hospital and each unit as part of their leadership course or critical thinking laboratory. The Web site offers students a context to work from and a realistic application of problem-solving, leadership skills building and critical thinking, Barham noted. When we ask them questions about patients and hospital issues, it s abstract. But with Monarch General, we try to make it real. Currently, the site features photos of all the student personnel as well as photos of hospital patients family and friends of nursing students and faculty who were willing to take part in the program.
Plans are under way to replace the static photos with video footage.
According to the pair, the Web site is a work in progress and there are plans to expand it to additional courses in the nursing curriculum.