Spalding University – an institution in Louisville, Kentucky, with a rich history of training health care workers – is set to launch one of the nation’s only online certificate programs in Critical Care Transport, which will provide licensed registered nurses and paramedics with the skills and knowledge to care for and transport critically ill or injured patients.

Designed through a partnership with leading medical education company FlightBridgeED, Spalding’s Post-Licensure Certificate in Critical Care Transport is accepting applications now with online courses set to begin on Jan. 30, 2021. The program consists of four, three-credit-hour courses and can be completed in one semester.

The program will help address the nation’s demand for health care workers capable of initiating critical medical interventions that can save patients’ lives in emergency transport settings, including a ground or air ambulance. The certificate will also provide registered nurses and paramedics with the skills and knowledge to advance their careers.

POST-LICENSURE CERTIFICATE IN CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT
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Students in the certificate program will explore a range of principles related to critical care transport, including resuscitation, trauma and burns, pharmacology, leadership and research. One of the four courses is devoted exclusively to principles of transport ventilation and ventilator management.

Spalding’s CCT certificate program will prepare nurses and paramedics to sit for advanced professional certification exams, including those to attain the credentials of:

Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C)
Certified Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C)
Certified Flight Nurse (CFRN)
Certified Transport Nurse (CTRN)
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

Spalding President Tori Murden McClure, who is a certified Emergency Medical Technician and a Trustee and former Board Chair of the National Outdoor Leadership School, said the new certificate program in Critical Care Transport “builds on Spalding’s long tradition and strong reputation for educating compassionate, competent health care workers.”

“Nurses, paramedics and first responders who are skilled in critical care transport are true heroes whose actions save lives in high-pressure, emergency settings,” McClure said. “Spalding is proud and excited to launch a convenient online program that supports health care workers who seek to learn these critically important skills.”

Kentucky-based FlightBridgeED, which specializes in providing pre-hospital, critical care, and emergency medicine education for healthcare professionals of all types, is assisting Spalding faculty in developing curriculum for the new certificate program.

“We are thrilled and honored with this strategic alignment and feel this will give FlightBridgeED and Spalding University a greater ability to achieve education delivery in the critical care arena,” FlightBridgeED President Eric Bauer said. “This will provide FlightBridgeED with a more extensive geographical reach and allow us to partner with a highly respected university that is truly blazing new trails in education. In the end, this partnership builds a strong strategic partnership, as we are both delivering long-term value to our customers and stakeholders.”

Bruce Hoffman, FlightBridgeED Senior Director of Education, added: “Imagine the possibilities when a respected academic institution and an industry leading education company join forces. FlightBridgeED and Spalding are committed to pushing the boundaries of critical care transport education.”

Registered nurses and paramedics who complete the Post-Licensure Certificate in the Critical Care Transport program and are interested in continuing their education may apply the college credit they earn in the certificate program to the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or a related discipline.

“We envision and hope that some of the students who complete the Critical Care Transport Certificate will continue on at Spalding in our online RN-to-BSN or Bachelor of Science in Health Science programs,” said Dr. Patricia Spurr, who directs those two programs at Spalding and will oversee the new certificate as well. “For decades, Spalding has been committed to helping working health care professionals reach their goals of continuing their education and earning a new degree.”

With Commencement approaching on June 1, Spalding is publishing a series of stories and Q&A’s that highlight students from a range of degree programs who are set to graduate. Next up is Devyn Tompkins, who is earning the degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Science as part of a longer occupational therapy graduate program.

What is your favorite Spalding memory?
My favorite Spalding memory is being on the volleyball team for two years and making lifelong friends as well as being accepted into Spalding’s OT program my sophomore year.

Which accomplishments are you most proud of during your time at Spalding?
My biggest accomplishment that I am proud of is graduating with my Bachelors of Science in Health Science in three years and working on my master’s in occupational therapy.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
Being at the Pod with my friends.

At Spalding, we like to say that, “Today is a great day to change the world.” For many of our students, Commencement is a world changing experience. After graduation, how do you plan to change the world, big or small, and who inspires you to be a #spaldingworldchanger?
My family inspires me to be a #SpaldingWorldChanger. They push me to do my best and have supported me throughout my college journey. I plan to change the world by being the best occupational therapist I can be and provide exceptional services to my future clients.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your Spalding experience?
I am so grateful for the endless opportunities Spalding has given me.

With Commencement approaching on June 1, Spalding is publishing a series of stories and Q&A’s that highlight students from a range of degree programs who are set to graduate. Next up is Hannah Mattingly, who is earning a bachelor of science degree in health science.

What is your favorite Spalding memory?
My favorite Spalding memory would have to be attending the Running of the Rodents, aka the Spalding Rat Race, every year. I have attended the last five since starting at Spalding my freshman year in 2014. Kentucky Derby season is my favorite time of the year, and it’s super cool to me that Rat Race kind of unofficially starts the Derby festivities in the city. I enjoy getting friends together and walking in the parade beforehand and cheering on my favorite departments’ rat! Once I graduate, I will absolutely come back and attend the Rat Race every year.

Which accomplishments are you most proud of during your time at Spalding?
My biggest accomplishment will definitely be graduating from this amazing university! But I have also found a degree that I love, and I have already started on my masters in the MSBC program. I have maintained a 3.5 GPA, and I never imagined being 23 years old and working towards getting my master’s. This has taught me that as long as I work hard, I can make anything possible.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus would definitely be the Mansion. Not only did I love the classes I took in that building, but overall it’s a stunning and historic building on campus, plus and a quiet place to do homework. I love all the different rooms and the big, beautiful three-story staircase. It’s a perfect place to relax during breaks in-between classes, and it has a lovely courtyard area with tables and chairs. It’s a great place to eat lunch and be outside too.

At Spalding, we like to say that, “Today is a great day to change the world.” For many students, Commencement is a world-changing experience. After graduation, how do you plan to change the world, big or small, and who inspires you to be a #spaldingworldchanger?
After graduation, I plan to finish my master’s at Spalding, with a degree focused on Healthcare Management. My dream is to eventually work in a hospital here locally, and do something in administration. I currently work at Baptist Health Louisville as a Personal Care Associate, and I would love to continue my work there. Baptist is such a great community, and they really love and care for their employees. I have loved the patient-care side of work, but I am ready to move on and oversee more of the day-to-day operations of the hospital, in addition to staffing, budgeting and managing other departments.

In addition to that, something small I will continue to do is smile, be kind to others and accept others for exactly who they are. Spalding even says this in its mission statement. Spalding does a wonderful job at welcoming everyone, no matter their race, experience, religion and culture. They promote acceptance and value all experiences of each individual.

The people who have inspired me most at Spalding would absolutely be my advisors. I was lucky to have Jimmy Rowland my first two years at Spalding, then, when I switched over to Health Science, I met Jeffrey Cross. They were always there when I needed help or needed questions answered. Whether it was a scheduled meeting or just a drop-in, they both welcomed me with open arms into their office just to chat and catch up. They definitely made my Spalding experience easier and less stressful.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your Spalding experience?
Spalding truly will hold a special place in my heart for years to come. I have met some incredible people at this university and have made memories that I will treasure for a lifetime. It’s so easy to see that the professors care for you and want to watch you succeed in all that you do. This is definitely something you won’t always find at a large university. I also want to sincerely thank my parents for all the support they have given me through my years at Spalding. There have been tears but so many more smiles. I wouldn’t be here without you.

At Spalding University, a typical undergraduate student can expect the following:

**Final-exam weeks with only one or two tests to cram for.

**Opportunities to focus all your class and study time on a course you really love, or on a course you find really difficult and needs extra attention.

**A full week off every six weeks to recharge your batteries and do what you want to do.

That sounds pretty good, right?

That’s how it works all year at Spalding, which is unique from other universities in Kentucky by having a nontraditional academic schedule made up of six six-week blocks in which students typically take only one or two classes at a time.

“When I first heard about it,” Spalding sophomore health science major Ontario Hullum said, “I thought it was too good to be true.”

But it is true. Spalding was ranked by CollegeRaptor.com as one of the nation’s five best colleges with nontraditional schedules.

Hullum said Spalding’s schedule makes college feel less stressful.

“At other colleges, you take like five exams toward the end of a semester, and that’s real stressful and makes that whole week really hectic,” he said. “Here, you take two exams every session, and it just spreads things out.”

Spalding’s format is designed for students still to graduate in four years and get all the credits they need. Staff and faculty advisers work closely with students to help them stay on top of their requirements.

“(The six-week schedule) makes it easier for you to do your work and manage your time,” said Marcus Montgomery, a sophomore majoring in business administration. “Instead of having five classes throughout the week, you have only two at the most, and you definitely have time to do your work.”

Now that he’s accustomed to the rhythm of taking one or two classes at a time for six weeks each, Montgomery said, “I couldn’t imagine going to another school and taking like five classes for a whole semester.”

How Spalding’s Block Schedules Work

Spalding has six six-week sessions (three per semester) during the primary academic year, plus another six-week session during the summer.

Just like at universities with traditional semester-long sessions, Spalding advises students to take an average of 15 credit hours (or essentially five classes at three credit hours each) per semester, according to Academic Support Director Katherine Walker-Payne.

With three six-week blocks per semester, that means that a typical Spalding student might have one six-week session with one class per semester and two six-week sessions with two classes per semester. (Some students take more than two classes in a session, potentially setting themselves up to graduate in less than four years.)

A typical class meets four straight days each week (Monday through Thursday) for 100 minutes, condensing more class time into a shorter period. (Another popular aspect for undergrads is that almost everyone has Fridays off.)

Junior Carly Lynch said the six-week sessions were the main reason she chose Spalding, and they’ve helped her succeed in working toward a double major in health science and psychology.

Lynch knew she wanted to pursue a career in occupational therapy, and she liked that Spalding would put her on that path while letting her focus at any given time on just one or two of her important required courses, instead of five or six at once.

“I have Anatomy and Physiology II right now, and I’m able to spend all my time on Anatomy and Physiology II and really learn the material rather than just study for a test,” she said.

Walker-Payne echoed the sentiment, saying that the Spalding system gives students “the opportunity to really immerse themselves in subject matter over a short duration of time.”

“It allows them to progress through their degree program efficiently so long as they stay on track with their courses scheduled each session,” she said. “Absolutely, it’s a great way for students to dig deep into topics and really have an opportunity for deep learning.”

Good for Working Students

Spalding students who have jobs said the schedule format makes it more convenient for them.

Pre-nursing major Olivia Johnson said being able to focus on one or two classes at a time makes it easier for her to have her job working the night shift at UPS.

Sophomore Brandon Cochran, who is majoring in creative writing, said he’s able to hold two jobs – in the university writing center and at a grocery store.

“I would not have that opportunity (to work) if I didn’t have these lighter class sessions (as far as number of courses being taken) that go by faster,” he said. “So if (wanting or needing a job during college) is a big priority, Spalding is definitely a good place because this is one of the few places you are going to be able to work a lot of hours and also not ruin yourself (academically), because Spalding’s class schedule is so flexible and manageable.”

Every 6 Weeks, Take a Break

Students said they enjoy the weeklong breaks that follow the completion of each six-week session.

On break weeks, students often take a vacation, relax at home or pick up a few hours at their jobs. Students said their parents enjoy it, too, because it offers families frequent chances to reconnect.

“It’s fantastic,” Cochran said. “I’m sure everybody likes having breaks; I know I do. And we still finish on time, still have regular holidays and stuff like that. I think it’s great.”

The school year at Spalding does last a little longer than at most universities, extending into mid-June, but the breaks in between make up for it, Lynch said.

“It’s awesome,” said Lynch, who took a trip to Florida during a break week this fall. “I didn’t really understand it at first. I wondered if we would be in school for the same time as everyone else (as far as the yearly calendar), but we get out the same time as everyone else. It’s just a little later – in June – but with getting a week off every six weeks it’s worth it.”

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