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Lisa Sussdorff, Class of 2000
Lisa Sussdorff is from Port Kent and graduated from Plattsburgh State with a B.S. in Nursing. She works as a per diem nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (N.I.C.U.) at Fletcher Allen Hospital, which is in Burlington, Vermont. She also spent an exciting year in southern California as a traveling nurse before returning home to pursue her Nurse Practitioner Master's from SUNY Stony Brook's School of Nursing.
Guidance and Support Helped Me Get Where I Wanted to Go
This program is a great basis for getting the education and clinical experience you need to become a nurse practitioner. You need to have a B.S.N. to for that and this is definitely the place to start. The professors gave me good guidance and I still have contact with them. They encouraged my to branch out and try new areas.
Zoanne Schnell, one of my professors, has been a friend and supporter through college and beyond. She arranged my independent study, which seemed impossible at first, but I started working in my specialty right after graduating thanks to that individual study course. She also helped me with graduate school by writing recommendation letters for me and giving me advice about applying.
You'll Never Be Bored Here
Although Plattsburgh State is in a rural area, I was never bored. There are tons going on and plenty of activities. I was on the track team, which was a lot of fun and you don't need to be a pro runner to join the team and have a good time.
Lisa's Advice for Nursing Students - Don't Give Up!
The nursing program takes dedication and is probably the hardest on campus. Many students feel frustrated at some point in the program. I did too, but once I got into clinical practice, everything clicked. And the rewards as a nurse are great - I love being a nurse!
Zoanne Schnell, Class of 1970
Zoanne Schnell graduated from Plattsburgh State in 1970 with a B.S. in Nursing. She later went on to earn graduate and post-graduate degrees and has taught at several universities in the Northeast. After enjoying a varied career that has included teaching, nursing, community service, and grant writing, she has returned to Plattsburgh State as a nursing professor.
One Big Factor in My Success - The Professors Encouraged Me to Continue
I still have mentorship contact with my former instructors. They even encouraged me to come back and teach here. Another factor in my success has been the very broad based education I received here that has helped me pursue other fields. I learned to be a role model from my professors and get involved in community service too. They advocated a strong orientation to professionalization and service to profession itself.
Opportunities outside the Classroom
Being able to get involved in other areas outside my major was a great opportunity. I took all the courses I could in philosophy, orchestra, and violin. I liked the area itself too: the outdoors, opportunities to go to Montreal, and proximity special classes. Plattsburgh State has other benefits too: it is very clean here - no graffiti; there's access to artwork; it's small enough to walk to class; and there is lots of music and theatre available.
Zoanne's Advice for Nursing Students
My advice is enjoy the environment as well as class. Get to know people from other areas and the world and different majors. Take advantage of non-academic programs. Get on the lake, climb a mountain, visit Twin Valleys. Don't wait until your senior year to see the area!
Lisa Wells, Class of 1992
Lisa Wells graduated in May 1992 with a B.S. in Nursing. She then went on to earn a M.S.N. Ed. from Binghamton University, the Decker School of Nursing. She teaches nursing at Plattsburgh State and works per diem at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (C.V.P.H.) in the Center for Women and Children to keep her up to date in her practice.
Students are Individuals Here
I truly believe the students get an excellent education here at Plattsburgh and the faculty helps the students as much as possible. The students in the Nursing, Food, and Nutrition Department are individuals well known by the faculty and not just a college numbers.
The program prepared me to continue my education in graduate school. It was wonderful being a student again after many years of nursing. I had received my diploma in nursing from C.V.P.H. School of nursing just before it closed; I was in the R.N. Option program. Back then the R.N.s were integrated with the basic students and that was kind of fun and a good experience because the students would ask many questions regarding what nursing was really like in the clinical settings. It was nice to give them a little insight.
Rachel Pollow was probably my favorite person in the program. She was very encouraging of my continuing on to graduate school. When I started teaching here, she was extremely helpful too, as were all the faculty and staff. They are wonderful people to work with! During my graduate studies, I did my preceptorship/clinical in teaching here and Rachel and Zoanne Schnell were my preceptors and mentors. They helped me develop into the teacher I am today.
Lisa's Advice for Nursing Students
Plattsburgh State is a great university with lots of opportunities. The nursing curriculum is a difficult one, but it prepares you well for a career that may lead you to many options after N.C.L.E.X. It requires a lot of work and commitment, but the graduates from this program are well thought of.
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
If you would like more information about Nursing at Plattsburgh State, please contact
Dr. JoAnn Gleeson-Kreig, Chairperson
Department of Nursing and Nutrition
Office: Hawkins Hall 215C
Phone: (518) 564-3124
Fax: (518) 564-3100
E-mail: nursing-food@plattsburgh.edu
Department of Nursing and Nutrition
Hawkins Hall
Plattsburgh, NY 12901