Tech Helps Hartland Resident Teach Nursing

When Holly Austin purchased an iPod Touch in the Winter of 2009 with the intention of using it to help teach her nursing students at Schoolcraft College, the Hartland resident discovered the apps were either too expensive or cumbersome.

So, she created one with help from her husband, Shawn.

“I wrote down 200 of the most common medical diagnoses I could think of, and then compiled them into a spreadsheet file. [For example] if I had a patient with pneumonia, from my experience as a nurse what would I be assessing for, and what nursing diagnoses would I properly apply towards the patient’s symptoms, and so on.”

Keeping in mind the needs of the average nursing student, and the rigors of the average nursing program, Holly wanted NurseTabs to be a learning tool which was simple enough to use out on the floor. During their process, student nurses can refer to NurseTabs for a “break down of what you would typical do for a patient with pneumonia” and then use their instincts, knowledge, and assessment of the patient to determine the steps they need to take in offering care.

After working with developers to roll it out in Summer of 2009, it's been a hit with users ever since selling several thousand downloads. The Austins have added one other app, "NurseTabs: Pharmacology," and are planning on releasing a third one this summer.

Born to Teach Nursing

The fact Holly pushes the technological envelope isn't a surprise as someone who discovered she loved to teach nursing. After a turbulent first year at Western Michigan University and encouragement from her neighbor, Holly began working as a nurse’s assistant at Huron Valley Sinai Hospital. She studied nursing at Oakland Community College and later Northern Michigan University. In 1999, she began working as a full-time nurse for HVSH.

Instructors often asked Holly to work with their nursing students during clinicals. Recalling her experience with the students, Holly recalled, “I really enjoyed the students’ perspective and having the chance to help them learn how to be nurses.”

After seeing Holly’s natural abilities to work with the students, one of the instructors encouraged her to pursue a career as a teacher. Holly began teaching clinicals for nursing students part-time for Schoolcraft College in 2003, and in 2004 was hired full time as an assistant nursing professor. She currently teaches pharmacology, nursing informatics, and advanced medical surgical nursing.

By teaching nursing, Holly has been able to blend together two things that she loves doing the most.

“There is nothing more exciting than seeing students applying critical thinking in the clinical setting to care for patients and families,” Holly said. “It is awesome that I am a part of their learning and I can help model how to be a nurse.”

Life in Hartland

Although their college education took them away from their hometowns, the decision to settle down in Hartland was easy for Holly and Shawn. They now live in Hartland with their two sons Lewie, 6, and Brendan, 4.

"We have a lot of family around the Hartland and Brighton area, plus we wanted to stay in an area that was not so busy," Holly said. "One of the best things is that my kids get to go to Hartland Schools. My oldest one, he's 6 now. He's in kindergarten at and has an awesome teacher."

The Austin's new business involving the development apps has given them more freedom. Shawn works out of the home managing the NurseTabs application, and Holly continues to teach at Schoolcraft College. 

“I love what I do and I love that because of what I do I am able to spend a lot of time with my children,” Holly said.

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