The Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle CollegeThe First Year

RISNA Annual MeetingNovember 5, 2012

The RINI Middle College exists to immerse each student in the setting and structure of a college, learning under the guidance of industry practitioners and with a concentration in health care professional opportunities. The school will offer each student the opportunity to gain nursing knowledge and a high school degree while attending a supportive small secondary school

The Mission

•Labor Market Shortages•Demographic Projections –Increased Health Care Demand while we have an aging RN workforce•Under-prepared High School Students entering college decreasing “efficiency” of education system•Impact of Health Care Reform Act•Institute of Medicine Report on the “Future of Nursing” •No Workforce Development Link between College and the Healthcare Industry

The Need for RN’s

•Four Year Program of Study•Mirrors College Atmosphere

•Focus on Core Academic Subjects (Math/Science)•Thread Nursing/Health care Theme through Curriculum

•Later Start Time•Emphasis on Recruitment in Urban Communities

•Blended Faculty of Certified Teachers and College Faculty•Earn College Credit•Student Life Issues

The IDEA RINI Middle College

•The school's governing board will serve as a duly elected school board making financial, curricular and staffing decisions that directly impact the students' lives, the composition of the school's governance will be drawn from the community, healthcare employers, leaders in Nursing education, and Nursing Professional Associations

The IDEA RINI Middle College

•November 2009 - The full Charter School Application was presented to the Rhode Island Department of Education.•June 2010 – Unanimous preliminary approval from the Department of Education•July 2010 – Begin creation of a board of directors and strategic implementation planning •October 2010 - Governance structure and board members finalized •October 2010 - Original Building location eliminated as “unsuitable” for school renovation•November 2010 – Work with the Lifespan Health system to assist in finding a new school location•December 2010 – Begin discussions with the Development consultant to locate the Middle College in the new “Providence Community Health Centers Health Services and Training Campus”•Spring 2011 – Recruitment of Students Begins

Journey to the Start Line

•March 2011-NO BUILDING!•April to July 2011- Repeated public presentations to the RI Board of Education•May 2011-We recruited 150 potential students, when we were required to secure 75 for approval.•May-June 2011 - A new building is identified, enter negotiations with Landlord and secure a 5 year lease (subject to approval by RIDE)•July 7th 2011(6pm) - RI Bd. of Education APPROVES Final Charter!!•September 6, (9am) – School is OPEN!

Journey to the Start Line

Our New Building-Neighborhood

The Neighborhood

The Neighborhood

•Building – Parking •Supplies/Desks/Computers•Faculty

– Recruitment Plan– Interview/Hire– Curriculum

•Operating and Capital Budget• Initial “pre-start” grant• Set up initial “business” side of school administration

•Legal Issues•Student Issues

– Family– Student Orientation– Books– Transportation

Approval - Open a New School in 7 weeks?

A building Project

Supplies & Infrastructure

Ready to Go

Our Entrance Message

•Traditional High School teachers in “New” Education Model•Teachers to become interdisciplinary “faculty”•Focus on High Expectations, Rigor and Student Success,•Acclimate to a “small” school (136 students to start)•Merge teaching, new models with an understanding of the healthcare/RN workforce issues

Initial Challenges Faculty

•“Un-learn” poor study habits and behaviors•Prepare them for Rigorous Curriculum• Former schools were not Challenging students

•Longer school day, intersession and Summer School•A new small school where kids cannot “hide”•A State-wide Charter school mixes urban and suburban kids •Building a new School Community & Culture

Initial ChallengesStudents

•Physical set up and space in building•Must use a Lottery System to accept -place students•Complexity of running a new State-wide Charter School•Security Issues•Sports programs•How much freedom to allow Students & faculty to reach mission goals•Everyone is the “New” kid in school!!•NECAP Testing•RIDE Requirements/Higher Ed Requirements

Other Challenges

•Structure of the School Year•Structure of the School Day•Uniforms•Make this a “College Like” experience•College Articulation•Mix 10th and 11th grade students to help build behaviors•Best Students as role models

Overcoming ChallengesInnovations

•ELA focuses on Informational text and writing/DER•Focus on building a community of Students & families•Student Nurse Association•Skills USA•Focused Field Trips•How we treat the students…(like adults)•Professional Behavior (special visitors)•Guest Lecture Series•CNA Program

Innovations

•Community service•Good health care consumers•Workforce development/creating professionals •Student Government/Board of Directors•Faculty mentoring/nursing exposure•Transportation provided •Individualized Program of Study•Graduation Requirements combine RIDE requirements, mission theme, and College admission requirements

Innovations

Students at the NPACE Conference

Students Recognized for Excellence

Congressman Langevin and the Commissioner Gist

Students meet CNOs and HR Leadership of Care New England

RINIMC Students at City Hall

Lifespan Summer Youth Program Graduates

RINIMC Students greeting Congressman Langevin

A visit to the ORFatima Hospital

Students in the Operating Room

Annual Dance

Faculty and Student Leaders

RINIMC Faculty & Leadership

Recognition at the State House

•New building Site (Year #2 Expansion)•Partnerships with health care organizations, college/university leadership•Philanthropy Strategy•Communication strategy•Our own building (someday….4 years)•3 College courses are being offered (9 credits)•206 Students, 3 Grades, 15 Faculty Members

RINIMC Growing

One Campus Two Buildings in 2012

RINI Middle College

Contact information:Pam McCue

Chief Academic Officer CNO pam.mccue@rinimc.org401-680-4900 Ext 418