 |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE A Body of Knowledge Investing in the Future Math, Science Students Find Special Help Toward Gainful Employment Chancellor's Column Development News Factoids Newsmakers Accomplishments by faculty and staff… |
A Body of Knowledge Thirty
years ago, Jo-Ann Rossitto graduated in the first class of City College
nursing students. Today she is director of the nursing program. In
1971, Rossitto became a student at City College because it was the only
LVN to RN program available in San Diego. In 1981, Rossitto became a teacher
at City because City responded first to her job application. In fact,
one of Rossitto’s previous City teachers hired her on a special one-year
grant program. In 2001, Rossitto remains at City College “because
I like to come to work every day” she says. “I choose to stay
here where I can make a real difference and give back to the school that
gave me an opportunity to achieve.” Rossitto
admits to taking the “long way around” to be certain nursing
was her calling. Rossitto’s parents encouraged her to be a physician,
while Rossitto pondered being a veterinarian. After completing her associate’s
degree at City College, her bachelor’s degree at San Diego State
and her master’s in nursing education from New York University in
1981, Rossitto returned for her doctorate of nursing from USD in 1997. Rossitto
is a fervent advocate of community colleges because they allow students
to “start small” and “build confidence” before entering
the larger universities or the work world. She explains, “the beauty
of community colleges is that you get the recognition and identification
you need while in the most vulnerable stages of life.” As
a nurse, Rossitto discovered there was a real void in teaching “how”
to be a good nurse. “Nursing students need a stronger education with
the right skills and priorities being taught,” she said. In
30 years, Rossitto has seen many changes in the nursing field. “Students
today are in a different world than when I was in school in the early
’70s,” replies Rossitto. “Socioeconomic problems ranging
from lack of funds to dysfunctional families now all impact students to
such a larger degree. Most nursing students today must work while going
to school, many are single parents, some from abusive relationships and
many on their own in the world.” Keeping
students in nursing is one problem while attracting students to nursing
is another. The standard three-year waiting list to get into City’s
nursing program is nonexistent this year. Adding to the nursing shortage
crisis, many nurses are near retirement and an alarming number are leaving
the nursing profession due to the ever-increasing demands of the job.
In the last 30 years, the average age of a nursing student moved from
early 20s to 30-35, and today it’s 40-45. More patients, more hours
and more responsibility with fewer rewards and less support are all causing
career burnout. Ever
vigilant to fostering City’s nursing program, Rossitto acts as a
walking neon billboard for her staff, students, community colleges in
general, and City College specifically. She touts, “Our instructors
understand the student population. They combine compassion, purpose, and
the highest of educational standards to ensure students reach their goals.”
Although director duties limit her time in the classroom, Rossitto still
knows every student by name. Rossitto
is quick to list why City’s nursing program is the best in town.
Because of its excellent reputation and prime options to train at major
medical centers in the area, City’s nursing students are often recruited
while still in school. City’s faculty members are recognized for
their expertise in a variety of specializations and first-rate credentials.
City is also centrally located with easy transportation access and, best
of all, it provides a quality education at the most reasonable price. Always
challenging herself, her students and her staff, Rossitto is determined
to provide the nursing profession with the best nursing graduates possible.
With that focus on quality, Rossitto and her staff successfully completed
a rigorous voluntary process to qualify the City College nursing program
for a full, five-year accreditation by the National League for Nursing
Accreditation. Few
people end their journey in the same place they started. But when asked
if she would do it all again, without equivocation, Rossitto responds,
“Yes!” |
 Jo-Ann Rossitto  Nursing students practice on mannequins before working with real people in the clinical phase of their training.  San Diego City College nursing students |