A representative of Adventist Health is presented with the honors. Photo courtesy of Adventist Health and Rideout

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - At 32 years old, Jennifer Rollins was working for a healthcare insurance company when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She sought treatment at the Cancer Center at Adventist Health and Rideout where the compassionate care she received from medical staff inspired her to become an oncology nurse.

"I fell in love with my nurses, they were amazing. I was young and didn't know what to expect, and they walked me through everything. They even made me laugh throughout my whole treatment,” she said. “They were the most amazing team ever, so I promised myself that if I made it out of treatment alive, I would become a nurse. 

“I figured, why not make something bad and difficult into something good?"

Rollins was recently among a group of 120 nursing students from Yuba College who earned clinical experience at Adventist Health and Rideout to meet their Board of Registered Nursing clinical requirements for graduation. On Thursday, April 11, the Yuba College Registered Nursing (RN) department recognized Adventist Health and Rideout with a resolution honoring its commitment and partnership to the local program. When a neighboring clinical partner was unable to accommodate nursing students in fall 2023, Adventist Health and Rideout stepped in and accepted the entire class to ensure they were able to complete a combined total of 15,690 clinical hours.

For over 44 years, the collaboration between Adventist Health Rideout and Yuba College has significantly enhanced healthcare services in Yuba and Sutter Counties and the surrounding areas.  Yuba College trains capable nurses while Adventist Health Rideout provides essential facilities and experienced staff to enrich student learning experiences at the bedside. This reciprocal partnership ensures the continuous development of skilled healthcare professionals to serve the community.

"Adventist Health and Rideout has always been the foundation of our nursing program,” said Harinder Sohal, Interim Director of the Nursing Program at Yuba College. “They go above and beyond to collaborate and meet the needs of our nursing students. We are privileged to have them as a partner.”

A Worthwhile Learning Experience

Today, Rollins is in remission and completing her fourth semester of nursing school. She expressed her excitement about the learning experience, stating that she has discovered a newfound passion for nursing, particularly in Adventist Health and Rideout's emergency department. There, she enjoys the unpredictability and the opportunity to stabilize and care for patients in critical situations.

"I'm doing my preceptorship at the emergency department, and I'm having the best time. Like, 12- hour shifts fly by. I don't even want to go home at the end of my shift,” she said. “I'm like, do I have to leave?  I've had nothing but an amazing experience. It's just been so much fun and a great learning opportunity."

Taylor Lasick, a Yuba College nursing student graduating this May, was also accepted by Adventist Health and Rideout to meet her clinical requirements. Like Rollins, she was quick to highlight the experiences she has had at Adventist Health and Rideout.

"All nurses were very supportive in helping me fine tune and hone my nursing skills. As nursing students, we are still learning, and sometimes we are slow on doing things, and they were always very patient,” Lasick said. “They encouraged me to take my time to make sure I did everything right, which was not only helpful for me, but it's a safety protocol for the patients. I had nothing but positive experiences at Adventist Health and Rideout."

Throughout her studies, Lasick had the opportunity to rotate through multiple healthcare settings, gaining firsthand insight into the diverse cultures and dynamics within each institution. Reflecting on her time at the hospital, she noted the organization’s positive atmosphere.

"I think culture is a really big difference,” Lasick said. “At Adventist Health and Rideout, teams are very supportive. The cohesiveness of the team on the floors and the way that they work together and support each other and take care of the patients is superior."

Rideout’s Commitment to Community

Students like Rollins and Lasick are a fundamental part of why Adventist Health and Rideout is committed to partnering with local institutions like Yuba College’s nursing program, said Cyndy Gordon, the hospital’s Patient Care Executive. Providing the opportunity to have hands-on experience in a positive environment is integral to developing dedicated healthcare professionals, and Adventist Health and Rideout has embraced that role.

“As a hospital, we are happy to partner with our local schools to provide a quality learning experience for the students. Contributing to career development opportunities in healthcare benefits these hardworking students as they work towards a future in the medical field.” Gordon said. “It’s also essential for our community, since it contributes to keeping jobs locally and providing the healthcare organizations of both Sutter and Yuba Counties with qualified candidates to help deliver the best care possible to our patients.”

Looking ahead, Rollins said she is eager to continue her journey towards becoming an oncology nurse and hopefully working at Adventist Health and Rideout Cancer Care Center, where she once was a patient. As for Lasick, after graduation she said she plans to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse. From there, her primary goal is to secure a job at Adventist Health Rideout through their new graduate program. Both students share a passion for providing compassionate care to patients, placing emphasis on empathy and support in their nursing practice.

“My favorite part about being a nurse is connecting with the patients and their families,” Lasick said.  “Being able to provide them compassionate care and hopefully educate them on what is going to keep them healthy."