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Bassett CARES Helps Student Fill Maternity Nursing Dream

Bassett Hospital gave Kelli-Jo VanValkenburgh ’24 the opportunity of a lifetime as a junior nursing student.

“I was working with a nurse in the maternity ward when our patient went into labor,” she said. “The nurse pulled me in right next to her and told me to catch the baby.”

She not only got to catch the newborn but also had the honor of placing the baby in mom’s arms. “That was the final validation that I was where I needed to be,” she said.

Kelli-Jo VanValkenburgh

“I never thought that, as a student nurse, I would ever get to be that hands-on, but I will never forget that day.”

Kelli-Jo VanValkenburgh '24

Nursing Major

And more of those days are ahead for VanValkenburgh, thanks to the Bassett CARES program. An acronym for Career Advancement and Retention Experience for Students, the program offers Hartwick students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree an opportunity to work in a full-time role at Bassett Healthcare Network. It is open to graduates from all disciplines, not only healthcare programs.

Three other ’24 graduates are also joining the Bassett CARES program; Jackson Nasse, Shelby Hollister, and Allison Villalobos.

Jackson Nasse, Shelby Hollister, and Allison Villalobos and Kelli-Jo VanValkenburgh

VanValkenburgh, who grew up in Prattsville, did her clinicals in Bassett’s maternity, med-surg, community, Intensive Care and psychiatric units. “I come from this area, so I already have that Bassett Healthcare connection,” she said. “And I knew it was a great opportunity to do my clinicals there.”

In addition to a job offer, Bassett CARES offers up to $25,000 in loan repayment stipends, with $5,000 for every six months worked as a loan repayment stipend.

“With four years of student loans, that’s a real weight off my shoulders,” she said. “It’s a nice opportunity to have and I’m thankful for it.”

And, inspired by that day in the birthing center, VanValkenburgh will continue her practice in maternity nursing. “It was one of the best days of my Hartwick nursing experience,” she said. “Maternity, labor and delivery has my heart.”

May 20, 2024
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