What is Project GAIN (Get Ahead In Nursing)?

         Project GAIN is a multi-faceted, specific educational endeavor organized and implemented by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing to provide support for students in their aspirations to achieve success in Nursing. This support addresses the personal and academic endeavors of the students in Pre-Collegiate settings (Middle Schools and High Schools for students interested in pursuing Nursing as a future career) and Collegiate settings (where the students have entered the pre-clinical or clinical phase of Nursing).

        The Project GAIN program assist students in the Collegiate program to successfully enter, complete the Nursing Program, and pass the State Certification Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a Professional Nurses (R.N.) with a Baccalaureate Degree with a major in Nursing (R.N., B.S.).

The B.S. and Professional Nursing:

        The B.S. (Bachelor of Science) degree with a major in Nursing is recognized as a basic preparation required for entry into professional nursing. Registered nurses who also hold a B.S. degree can anticipate greater opportunities for advancement during their careers.

Goals of Project GAIN:

        · Collaborate with regional educational institutions to provide academic and social support programs that enhance the success of students in Pre-Collegiate and
          Collegiate educational programs.
        · Provide academic monitoring to students through seminars, tutoring, mentoring, and advising to enhance entry, retention, graduation, and passage of the
          Professional Nurse Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a Professional Nurse with a Bachelor of Science Degree (R.N., B.S.).
        · Use community partnerships to integrate the activities of Project GAIN with those of other organizations in the university and community to achieve diversity
          and successful learning experiences.
        · Increase cultural, racial, ethnic, and regional diversity of student participants in all Project GAIN community and university programs.
        · Increase the number of students entering Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (or some other university) to complete their educational goals in the area of
          their interest, hopefully Nursing.

Support Services offered by Project GAIN for the Collegiate Programs:

        · Pre-admission counseling.
        · Assistance with admission and registration.
        · Special course (N112, Empowering the nursing student) for personal motivation and educational support.
        · Expanded tutorial service in most academic areas.
        · Peer networking.
        · Faculty mentor program (mentoring, tutoring, and counseling).
        · Role model activities.
        · Financial aid to eligible students.
        · No-cost participation.
        · Workshops/Seminars.
        · Counseling regarding registration of ongoing courses.
        · Tutoring and mentoring for students in Project GAIN by students in the Graduate Nursing Program through WEBCT.

Message from the Director:

        For committed students seeking a career in nursing, Project GAIN (Get Ahead In Nursing) can be a key that opens the door to a professional health care career. Because professional nurses are an integral part of the health care team, it is imperative that they contribute information that helps the health team assess, plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive health care for patients in a variety of clinical situations.

        As nursing students become responsible for providing high-quality health care for patients and assume the many other responsibilities related to academia and clinical activities, they may experience high stress levels that hinder their ability to achieve and maintain the required standards of their program of study. The SIUE School of Nursing has developed a unique support system to help students alleviate stress and achieve the goal of becoming a professional nurse. This support system is Project GAIN.

        Project GAIN was developed by the SIUE School of Nursing to address the personal and academic problems of nursing students in both the pre-clinical and clinical phases of the nursing program. Project GAIN provides academic, financial, and social support to help nursing students achieve their professional goals.

        When a student becomes a member of Project GAIN, he/she is responsible for seeking the help needed to achieve success. The road is hard, but the reward is so sweet. We are here for you and we are willing to give you any assistance needed for success. Will you seek help to become a baccalaureate-prepared nurse; to earn the title R.N., B.S.; and to GET AHEAD IN NURSING?
 

Lorraine D. Williams, R.N., Ph. D., A.P.N., B.C.
Director, Project GAIN (Get Ahead In Nursing)

Officers of Project GAIN:

    President                 -  Charmaine Payne

    Vice-President        -  Laura Hiatt

    Secretary                -  Lena Flenoy

    Treasurer                -  Sheena Smith

    Fundraiser              -  Jessica Osun

    Public Relations      -  Shaunte Moore

    Publicist                  -  Sheena Smith

Pre-Collegiate programs offered by Project GAIN:

        · Pre-Collegiate Health Career clubs in 22 schools and 6 churches located in 14 cities and 4 counties.
        · Total number of participants - 584 students; 28 Pre-collegiate sponsors: participating school faculty, church members, and professional staff sponsors; 11
          university faculty advisors who serve as mentors and tutors, and 7 community health care facility personnel with whom Project GAIN has partnerships.
        · Peer tutors (individual & group).
        · Big Brother/Big Sisters Networking organization in which students address the needs of other students at all levels of the program and work in the Summer
          Nurse Camp.
        · Community Partnerships with health care facilities.
        · Workshops/Seminars.
        · Pre-admission counseling.

Pre-Collegiate Health Career Summer Nurse Camp:

    The Health Career Summer Nurse Camp will place students in four levels of camp participation:

        Level I     - First year participants will attend rigorous academic classes and take filed trips to clinical facilities.

        Level II    - Second-year participants will attend rigorous academic classes and serve in a clinical agency two days each week.

        Level III   - Third-year participants will attend rigorous nursing classes and serve in a clinical facility four days each week.

        Level IV   - Students will attend rigorous academic/psychomotor skills classes and serve in the clinical facility two days each week. When they complete the
                           "Basic Nurse Assistant Program", write and pass Illinois State Certification Examination to become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

        Financial awards are presented to students who excel in their academic studies and nursing care provided for patients in the clinical facilities during the camp.

SERVICE AWARDS FOR PROJECT GAIN ACTIVITIES:

    1994 Kimmel Leadership Award: “Project GAIN: Outstanding Student Organization of the year”.
 
    1995 Kimmel Leadership Award: “Project GAIN: Outstanding Community Organization of the year – Future Nurses Project”.

    1996 Kimmel Leadership Award: Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service to Students in Project GAIN.

We invite you to:

        Investigate the benefits of belonging to Project GAIN. We believe that we can assist and support your efforts to achieve your dreams of success. We are always available to you. All you have to do is contact us.

Remember Our Motto:

         “ The race is not always given to the swift nor to the strong, but to the one who can endureth to the end”.
 

Lorraine D. Williams, R.N., Ph.D., A.P.N., B.C.
Associate Professor, School of Nursing
Director, Project GAIN (Get Ahead In Nursing)
Box 1066 Alumni Hall Room 2336
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1066
Phone : (618) 650-3924
Fax : (618) 650-3854
Email : lwillia@siue.edu