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They have grueling schedulesRasmussen said. “An outstanding athleticswas easily tolerable because of the simplicityno one would envy. It takesprogram is a laboratory for these endeavors.of classes. However, as the years haveAthletics can not only be a cauldron whereprogressed it has gotten more and morea special person to excel aswe learn about ourselves, but where we alsodifficult to do well in both nursing andlearn to take responsibility for our ownsoccer. I hope in five years that I can lookboth a student and an athlete.development, where we learn the principalsback and say it was worth it getting my BSNThere are currently 20 nursingof leadership and teambuilding, and whereand pursuing soccer.”we learn how to take action based on thosestudents who are also Universityprincipals. My vision is that our coachesathletes.where student-athletes progress from beingAll the athletes interviewedChristine Koehler Crew Teamagreed it takes balance, timemanagement, prioritizationand strong determination.Christa Ruf is not only a star on the field,but in the classroom, too. She manages tomaintain a 3.90 GPA while being onCreighton’s softball team. Rufis in her fourthyear of a five-year nursing plan. Nursingstudents who play softball select the five-yearplan because their spring season conflictswith their nursing preceptorship.Ruf feels that nursing and softball areChrista Ruf Softball Teamown development.”Creighton softball player ElizabethMckewon, from Omaha, credits athletics forbut they are part of my team. I’ve become ataught me how to be humble. It has taughtme how to be more organized and how toprioritize things, because there’s not alwaystime to get everything done. It has taughtme to be on time for things, because if weCultivating Athletes as LeadersIn addition to prioritization, Rasmussenemphasized the importance of cultivatingathletes as leaders.“In teaching our student-athletes how to takeresponsibility for their actions, we wantexcellent nurse and it is a career that fitsthem to consider the following values:well with his compassionate nature.integrity; a strong work ethic; teamwork;Bruce Rasmussen, director of athletics,knows that athletes are unique individuals.“I believe the purpose of a university educationopponents and others outside of our community;and a willingness to pursue excellence.Leadership is making decisions based onvalues and we have to train leadership justas passionately as we train the fundamentalsof our particular sport.”Ribeiro admitted some days are challenging.been worth it. Although it is difficult attimes, I could not see myself giving upeither. Soccer has taught me time management and has brought me my closest friendswho help me get through the stressful times;while nursing helps me fulfill my goals ofhaving a career to help others in need.”Omahan Christine Koehler is on the crewteam. As she explains, rowing is uniquebecause every person in the boat has togive it their all and there is no one personwho can be the star athlete. Everythingis intertwined on the rowing team and itis important to respect every member of theteam because everyone brings somethingdifferent to the table. Working as a nurserequires you work with a team every day.is primarily to teach people how to learn and“(Combining soccer and school) has become“Athletics has taught me that I can be moretake responsibility for their own development,”very difficult this year. Freshman year itthan I think I can. I can do more and pushCreighton University School of NursingCreighton University School of NursingAthletes are Unique Individualstolerance and respect for their teammates,Katie Murphy Soccer Team54it off. He knows that he will become anboth classes and sports,” Ribeiro said.and trying to study on the road. But it hasmuch better leader from softball. It hasrelationships and how to communicateplayers and it is not easy to keep up with“The biggest difficulty I’ve had is travelingthough they might not be my favorite person,with people.”“The men’s team expects a lot from itscommitments.I’ve learned to get along with people evenSimilarly, in nursing, a team of health careabout becoming a nurse. But Ribeiro shakesthat both nursing and athletics are majorhas made me a better person in many ways.professionals work toward one commonsome ribbing from fellow soccer teammatesHer mother, Deborah Geha Murphy, graduatedwith her BSN in 1981. She readily admitsI’ve learned to work as a team with people.aren’t on time for practice we have to run.from Green Bay, Wis., said he does takewill be a second-generation nursing graduate.her character, saying, “Being in athleticsMostly athletics has taught me aboutAndrew Ribeiro, outstanding soccer forwardAndrew Ribeiro Soccer Teamleaders who become passionate about theireveryone works toward one common goal.of an individual.Striking a Balance Between School and Athleticsdirected and coached to becoming situationala lot alike. Softball is a team sport wheregoal: maintaining or restoring the healthGo Jays!!build a culture that promotes leadership, oneKatie Murphy, a soccer player from Omaha,

in memoriummyself harder than I thought. This makesstudent-athletes receive tutoring throughme a better person because I know that inthe athletics department.tough situations, I can always dig a littledeeper and find that inner strength to keeppushing through,” Koehler said.The spring is the busiest time of year forRuf. Staying organized is critical.Sheila Donahue Ciciulla, Ed.D. R.N. SJN’53, BSN’55, MSEDU‘77 Dean EmeritaA Typical Day“If our game is out of town, we may not getback until 2 a.m. Then I have clinical from6:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Then I come back toschool and have to go to softball practiceIn order to stay organized and not getfrom 3 to 5:30 p.m., constantly runningoverwhelmed, Ruf keeps an agenda andaround, and after that I lift weights frommarks down every game, every departure5:30 to 6:30 p.m. After that I could finallytime and every assignment. Ruf looks aheadeat and then start on homework or clinicalto see if she can do anything to relievepaperwork and do it all the next day again,”stress that might occur in the upcomingMckewon said.weeks. Although it may seem like she hasno free time, Ruf makes sure to relax by doingfun activities when her life becomes hectic.Academics Always TakePrecedence“Student-athletes are a joy,” assistant deanfor student affairs Amy Cosimano said.“They are organized, dedicated and committedto being successful.”Faculty members are available to studentathletes to deal with special circumstances.dedicated to the nursing professionThe hardest thing about playing softball andtaking nursing classes, according to Ruf,is missing class because of games and thenhaving to make up what she missed. Shesaid students have to be in constantcommunication with their professors,especially if they are going to miss an exam.Rasmussen feels athletics is very muchin tune with Ignatian values taught atLiz Mckewon Softball Teamuncomfortable in their pursuit of excellence—just as our outstanding faculty are doingin the classroom,” Rasmussen said.The athletes all agreed that athletics andnursing are a good combination. PerhapsRuf said it best.“Teamwork is a key component of nursingpractice. (Because of playing on a team) itCreighton.“If our athletics program is a reflection ofIf a test is given on a day the athlete is outthe mission of our school, and at Creightonof town, an alternative test time is found.I hope that it is, then we are teaching andWhen practice and game schedules come out,challenging our student-athletes on athe nursing school makes every attempt toregular basis to be leaders, to make betterstructure clinical assignments around adecisions, to take responsibility for theirstudent’s play schedule. In addition,actions, to not be perfect but to continuallyDr. Ciciulla and LeotaRolls, former Mary LanningMemorial Health Care vicepresident. These women arecredited with forging theCreighton School of Nursing,Mary Lanning Hospital andHastings College partnershipin 1976. The photo wastaken in April at a receptionrecognizing the 25thanniversary of the partnership.has been easy for me to collaborate with theinterdisciplinary teams in clinical. (Being amember of a team) has taught me to caredeeply for my teammates the same way thatI will care for my patients.” get better, and to not be afraid to beSheila Ciciulla was committed to professionalism andgraduates; all of whom benefited from her contributionsexcellence in nursing. She taught in Creighton’s Schoolto the nursing profession.of Nursing for 25 years and served many years on theNebraska State Board of Nursing and on the NationalCouncil of State Boards of Nursing, where she madesite visits for accreditation of other nursing educationprograms.When she retired from Creighton, her associates andformer students honored her by establishing the DoctorSheila Donahue Ciciulla Endowed Scholarship to continuethe work she had done. To date, 15 students haveand Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings, Neb.benefitted from her scholarship.The program was built in a spirit of collaboration sothat nurses could continue their education without havingIf you would be interested in contributing to the CiciullaEndowed Scholarship, please contact Teri Corcoran,School of Nursing Development Officer, attericorcoran@creighton.edu, or 402.280.3028, or mailThe best tribute she received, however, was the excellentyour gift to Teri Corcoran at Creighton University, 2500nursing care that she was given during her illness.California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178. Some of her nurses were former students or CreightonSeated: Joyce Bunger, Mary Parsons andMary Kunes-ConnellStanding: Eleanor Howell, Cindy Costanzo,Amy Cosimano, Nancy Shirley, Cindy Adamsand Linda LazureCreighton University School of NursingCreighton University School of NursingThe school of nursingLeadership Team76Nursing student Mary VanSteenberghe provided good advice(and warm socks) at the “Winterize Your Baby” event held inconjunction with a free coat giveaway at the Heart Ministry Center.“You would be quick to notice that interdisciplinary care is very common atthe HMC,” said Dr. Laughlin. “Nurses, pharmacists, therapists and socialworkers all work together to provide care and programming to those whoneed it most. Our work is very rewarding at the Heart Ministry Center.”students who were working to pay for their own tuition.education program between Creighton School of Nursing25th anniversary.Since October 2009, the School of Nursing has provided incredible serviceto the Heart Ministry Center (HMC) located in North Omaha. While theorganization provided much needed food, clothing and other resourcesto deserving individuals and families, it wanted to provide health careto those who could not afford it. One morning a week, faculty member andnurse practitioner Martha Todd sees patients at the nurse-managed PortoUrgent Care Clinic, located within the HMC. Nursing students, faculty andstaff volunteer on a regular basis. Associate professor Dr. Ann Laughlindirects the health care programs. at the center.who were in dire straits. She was especially sensitive toShe was instrumental in starting a joint nursingto travel to Omaha. That program just celebrated itsHear

Accelerated 99 8 107 R.N. to ¹ American Association of BSN — — 6 graduate program Master of Science in Nursing — — 106 Doctor of Nursing Practice — — 111 When Sheila Ciciulla retired from the Sch