Huntington’s Nursing Department hires faculty, staff

Huntington, Ind.-The Department of Nursing at Huntington University has hired two new faculty and two new staff members. Along with the faculty and staff, the number of students in the program continues to grow.

"Twelve students will be admitted to the nursing major in the fall to begin the course and clinical work associated with the program," said Dr. Margaret Winter, director of nursing. "Twenty-six students will enter their sophomore year to continue taking core, pre-nursing and supporting courses and will be eligible to apply for admission to the nursing major in the spring of 2010."


Karen Rose
Karen Rose has accepted a position as instructor in nursing. She has been a nurse for 28 years working in a wide variety of settings including medical surgical, pediatrics, long-term care, staff development and home healthcare. She has been an adjunct faculty member for the past four years, teaching at Bethel College, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and Ivy Tech State College in the areas of research, nursing management, and in clinical settings for medical/surgical, pediatrics, fundamentals and leadership.

Rose received a diploma in nursing from Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind. She earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. She is currently working on her Doctor of Education degree through the University of Phoenix online.


Diana Shenefield
Diana Shenefield also is serving as an instructor in nursing. She grew up in Huntington, Ind., graduating from Huntington North High School. She received her associate degree from Purdue University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University. Shenefield has been a nurse for 18 years focusing on pediatrics, trauma and critical care. She has taught classes in the hospital setting in pediatric emergency nursing, trauma nursing and CPR.

Shenefield is a member of the First Church of the Nazarene where she is the parish nurse. She also volunteers in the diabetic clinic at the Huntington Free Clinic and is a member of the Society of Pediatric Nurses, the International Parish Nurse Organization and Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society International.

"I am blessed to be a part of the faculty at Huntington University and know that God has placed me here to be a positive addition to the new Nursing Department," Shenefield said. "I am ready to serve in this new endeavor."

Rose and Shenefield began their employment at Huntington University this semester.


Kelly Barlow
Kelly Barlow was hired as the lab coordinator in January.

"The Department of Nursing is excited about the changing environment of the nursing labs," said Dr. Margaret Winter, director of nursing. "Two families of manikins are now occupying the beds of the simulation lab and will assist students in learning the skills and procedures necessary for participating in the clinical setting. A third family of computerized manikins will be joining them in the next few weeks."

Barlow has been a registered nurse for more than 10 years, with most of her nursing career in adult critical care. She received an Associate of Science in Nursing degree from Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne in 1998 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2006. She is pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing degree at IWU. Barlow continues to be employed at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne in the Critical Care Registry float pool. She also has served as adjunct nursing clinical faculty for Indiana Wesleyan University. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, Indiana State Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society International.

"Ministering to people through healthcare is my passion and is very personally rewarding," Barlow said. "I hope to help inspire nursing students and be a source of encouragement in their chosen field. I want them to know that while the nursing field is challenging and hard work, it is also a career that offers a unique opportunity to experience deep personal satisfaction. I am very enthusiastic about joining HU and am happy to be a part of the nursing program."


Holly Tester
Holly Tester began her position as administrative secretary in August 2008 on a part-time basis. In January, she started full-time hours. Tester previously worked at True Life Choices in Fort Wayne, Ind. She holds an associate degree in business organization from the International Business School. Tester is native to the Huntington area having grown up in Markle, Ind., and she is an active member of the Tri Kappa Sorority in Huntington and the Markle Church of Christ.

Huntington University's Department of Nursing enrolled its first students in the pre-nursing program in the fall of 2007.