[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING LAMAR UNIVERSITY'S DISHMAN DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern 
nursing, once stated that ``Unless we are making progress in our 
nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it we are 
going back.'' Lamar University's JoAnne Gay Dishman Department of 
Nursing has taken this philosophy and ran with it. Their continued 
excellence has turned the nursing program into one of the most 
successful in the country.
  Nursing education began at Lamar University in 1974. Since then, it 
has become the second most popular in the university, trailing only 
General Studies. From 2001 through 2005, the program saw a 30 percent 
increase in the number of students admitted to the program. Over the 
same period, the number of pre-nursing majors increased by 195 percent. 
The popularity stems from the success of both the program and the 
students. The faculty is staffed by a number of experts with many years 
of experience. Recently Department Chair Eileen Curl was elected 
president of the Texas Association of Deans and Directors of 
Professional Nursing Programs. May 2007 graduates of the Department's 
associate of applied science program achieved a 100 percent passing 
rate on the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered 
Nurses. The national passing rate is 87 percent. Success in the 
classroom has lead to success after graduation. The University states 
that 98 percent of senior nursing students have job offers before 
graduation, and a full 100 percent are employed within six months after 
graduation. The knowledge learned in the classroom benefits all 
Southeast Texans, as the University estimates that between 60 to 80 
percent of Lamar's graduating classes are employed in local health care 
agencies. Southeast Texans can feel safe, knowing that they have 
qualified, competent, and professional nurses to assist them.
  Lamar University's Dishman Department of Nursing had humble 
beginnings but quickly grew to become one of the most popular and 
distinguished majors. The faculty provides quality education relevant 
to today's ever-changing world. The students strive to be the best and 
showcase their values, work ethic and integrity. With an enrollment 
that grows by the year, the Dishman Department of Nursing will be 
turning out prominent medical professionals for years to come.
  And that's just the way it is.

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