Nursing Becomes Career Choice for Men

Shown in photo are: Front: Josh Short, Metropolis Middle Row: Adam Waller, Vienna; Andrew Mason, Cobden; Gary Goins, Wolf Lake; Robert Lamszus, Buncombe; Edward Heath, Lick Creek; John Hamm, New Hamburg, MO;
Back Row: Jason Huckleberry, Vienna; Destry Aden, Dongola; Mark Sauerbrunn, Karnak; Justin Greer, Belknap; Kirk Nailling, Nursing Instructor.
Not pictured: Clayton Suggs, Anna.

A career in nursing can be rewarding, stable and well-paid. More males are taking advantage of this opportunity at Shawnee Community College.

"Nursing is such a great profession because I can move anywhere in the country, I can move up into administration and I'm helping people," nursing student Mark Sauerbrunn said. Sauerbrunn is returning to SCC for his second start at a career. After teaching music for six years, he decided to change careers.

"I had a great experience at Shawnee in 1997 right after high school, so I knew this is where I would earn my nursing degree," said Sauerbrunn.

Nursing Department Chair Carol Belt said she is seeing more and more male nursing students each year.

"This year our class is about 20 percent male students, but it is a nationwide trend," Belt said. "There are job opportunities and it's a great career choice."

Nursing student Gary Goins chose to enroll in Shawnee's nursing program after being laid off in 2006. The plant he worked for sent his job to Mexico.

"I chose nursing because I heard Shawnee's program was well-respected and I wanted to help people," Goins said. "I knew nursing was a stable career. You can't send nursing to Mexico!"

The Shawnee Community College Nursing Program is accepting applications now for the fall 20028 ADN Program. Students must test before April 1, 2008 at the main campus. The application packet is available from the nursing department (634-3282) and pre-registration is required.