As we find ourselves midway through another academic year, I find myself reflecting on Carroll College’s timeless motto: Non Scholae, Sed Vitae - “Not for school, but for life.” Those words are more than a phrase etched into our crest; they are the heartbeat of our nursing program. Every innovation, partnership, and achievement this year has been grounded in that commitment; to prepare nurses not only for their first day of practice, but for a lifetime of service, leadership, and compassion.
This has been an extraordinary year of growth and forward movement. We proudly expanded entry eligibility for our Accelerated BSN track, now welcoming applicants who hold an associate of arts or science degree in addition to those with prior bachelor’s degrees. In doing so, we strengthen the program’s impact, respond to pressing workforce demands, and reaffirm our dedication to preparing compassionate, baccalaureate-prepared nurses to serve Montana and beyond.
We also celebrated the launch of Carroll’s Mobile Health Unit sponsored by Benefis Health System, an initiative that quite literally brings the Carroll mission on the road. Through partnerships with community organizations, the Mobile Health Unit delivers health screenings, education, and outreach across the region offering our students transformative, hands-on learning experiences while serving underserved populations. It is Non Scholae, Sed Vitae in motion: education extending beyond the classroom to meet life where it happens.
Our Commitment to Care program continues to flourish as a model of collaboration between academia and practice, connecting students and employers to help offset the cost of their nursing education and strengthen the pipeline of nursing graduates. This initiative not only reflects our dedication to preparing the next generation of professional nurses who are committed to the provision of holistic and compassionate care but also removes significant financial barriers for our students. By helping alleviate the financial burden of pursuing a nursing degree, we are empowering students to focus on their education and professional growth while addressing critical healthcare needs in our community.
Our faculty, too, embody this theme of lifelong learning. Several of our nurse educators are actively pursuing doctoral degrees, deepening their expertise and modeling the very curiosity and commitment we seek to cultivate in our students. Their scholarship and dedication ensure that our curriculum remains both evidence-based and mission-driven, integrating the science of nursing with the art of human care.
Together, these initiatives illustrate the living spirit of Carroll Nursing: education that does not end at commencement, but ripples outward into communities, systems, and lives. Each student taught, each patient served, each partnership formed represents the fuller expression of what it means to learn not for school, but for life.
To our alumni, clinical partners, and friends — thank you for walking alongside us in this work. Your continued engagement and generosity sustain our momentum and make possible the kind of innovation that transforms both education and care. Because of you, Carroll nurses are equipped not only to succeed in their careers, but to lead with integrity, serve with heart, and heal with wisdom.
With gratitude,
Lauren Swant, DNP, MSN, RNC-NIC, CNE, CPHQ Associate Professor Director of Nursing, Department Chair
Nursing Department faculty and staff gathered to view the newly wrapped Mobile Health Unit in spring 2025.
Mobile Health Unit
The Carroll College Nursing Department’s Mobile Health Unit (MHU) has had a successful debut. The Mobile Health Unit is a fully equipped, towable trailer designed to deliver health screenings, education, and wellness support at events across Montana. The MHU is used to expand access to health services in Montana’s rural and underserved communities. Its launch was made possible through a generous estate gift and ongoing support from Benefis Health System.
The Carroll College nursing department’s new Mobile Health Unit is already making an impact. In its first months on the road, faculty and students provided free health screenings and wellness education at the Augusta Rodeo (June), Symphony Under the Stars (July), Alive @ Five (August), and Homecoming (September).
In early October 2025, Carroll College nursing faculty members Melissa Lewis and April Boitano partnered with junior-level nursing students at Helena’s Steed Ice Arena to provide pre-concussion screenings for local youth athletes. Over the two-day event, the team completed 89 screenings for children ages 5–18. Just weeks later, a boy fell and had a concussion, and the pre-concussion screening evaluation at this screening event was reviewed and compared to his current findings. Although this situation is heartbreaking, it’s a powerful reminder that our work truly makes a difference.
The Mobile Health Unit is an innovative, state-of-the-art clinical learning environment that allows nursing students to apply classroom learning in real-world community settings. By bringing health services directly to local schools, athletic programs, and rural areas, the unit expands access to preventive care while enriching student education through hands-on experience.
The MHU is winterized now, but we plan to start the next season of learning and service with the annual Mass Casualty Incident simulation at the end of April.
The Beauty of Lifelong Learning in Nursing Education
~ Janet Johnson, MSN, CNE, Assistant Professor
This year, I began my pursuit of a terminal degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in organizational leadership. This has been a goal for quite some time, and thanks to the Monsignor Joseph Harrington Endowed Professorship, which helps with the financial aspects of this pursuit, I have taken my first step on the journey. I am not alone. Currently in the department, four of us are pursuing additional degrees, and two others have completed their doctorates in the last year. I think this is a beautiful testament to lifelong learning and exemplifies Carroll’s motto, “Not for school but for life.”
Lifelong learning is at the heart of the nursing profession. Whether for a degree, distinct certification, continuing education or staying up to date with evidence-based practices, nurses continually seek knowledge for the betterment of ourselves, but more importantly for our patients. Nurses embrace an ever-evolving commitment to growth, knowledge, understanding, and the pursuit of truth. The pursuit of a terminal degree by nursing faculty exemplifies this spirit, reflecting not only a dedication to personal and professional excellence but also a deep respect for the transformative power of education itself. By engaging in advanced scholarship, research, and practice at the doctoral level, nursing faculty strengthen their capacity to shape evidence-based education, influence policy, and elevate healthcare outcomes. As mentioned in previous newsletters, there is a faculty shortage. There are several factors that contribute to this, but especially in rural areas, the number of nurses with advanced degrees is not enough to meet the demand. As a profession, we need to continue to uphold lifelong learning and make the path more accessible.
It is good to be in the student role, where humility is felt and perspectives are flipped. I believe it makes me a more conscientious teacher—understanding the need for clear communication, timely feedback, modeling excellence while still encouraging and supporting can make all the difference. This continued study models intellectual curiosity, resilience, and humility to both students and colleagues, reminding us all that mastery is not an endpoint but a journey. This pursuit of knowledge is one of the most profound ways to grow ourselves and to serve others well in this vocation of nursing.
Carroll’s nursing secreTERRI retiring!
After nearly 27 years of extraordinary service, the Nursing Department’s Administrative Specialist, Terri John, began phased retirement on July 1, 2025. Terri has been the heart of the department – caring, intentional, and unfailingly supportive. A true staple of our community, she has taken care of students, faculty, and staff with a level of dedication and compassion that is simply unmatched.
Non scholae, sed vitae - “Not for school but for life” – where Carroll College is concerned, I have often said that I’m a “lifer!” Since I can remember, I have been a seeker of meaning and truth and deeply resonate with Carroll’s mission of developing the whole person and celebrating life as an expression of Spirit. After graduating as valedictorian of the Carroll class of 1985, I enjoyed a variety of jobs serving others, but when I saw the support role for the nursing department at Carroll open up with the bonus of two months off in the summer, I knew it was time to come back home. That new chapter began in January 1999 and now I find myself on the edge of retirement, almost 27 years later. For almost my whole life, I felt like I didn’t know what I was supposed to be when I “grew up.” About a year ago, I finally “got it” – that my real job is to be an “ambassador of Love” and that the rest is just details. To all the students I have loved from the background – thank you for loving me back and I will always be cheering you on. I have no children to leave a legacy, but if I were to write a legacy letter, I would share these three things:
Whatever you need, be the source of that
Do small things with great love (This Mother Teresa quote hung in my office for years and now graces the wall of the nursing student seating area: “We can’t all do great things but we can do small things with great love.” Small things like filling the snack box, posting humor and wisdom in the bathroom stalls, sharing angel hearts and Hearthstones, nurturing peace and wellness through the holistic health lab, continuing Carroll’s Kindness “Downsy” Day – perhaps these were the big things after all…)
Love, serve and remember (This quote comes from Neem Karoli Baba who said, “It’s simple: just love everyone, serve everyone, and remember God.”)
To all my faculty and staff colleagues – thank you for inspiring me in countless ways.
I leave the nursing department in good hands with the hiring of Jean Falley as the new nursing administrative coordinator.
~ Terri John '85, Administrative Specialist
Alumni Highlight
All three graduating cohorts of Carroll’s accelerated nursing track have achieved an impressive 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN! Our traditional nursing cohorts are equally outstanding, maintaining a perfect 100% first-time pass rate for the past two years. Carroll’s nursing program continues to surpass state and national averages, showcasing excellence in nursing education.
This issue’s nursing alumni highlight honors Ted Morigeau, class of 2012, who exemplifies the spirit of “Non scholae, sed vitae.”
Ted Morigeau’s journey in nursing began at Carroll College, where he built the foundation that shaped him into the skilled, compassionate nurse he is today. He started his career in the Intensive Care Unit at Benefis Healthcare in Great Falls, Montana, gaining critical care experience before taking to the skies with Mercy Flight as a flight nurse.
Over the years, Ted has provided critical care across Montana and internationally, including a three-year mission in Haiti, flying patients from remote areas to regional hospitals and bringing life-saving care to communities in need.
Today, Ted serves as Nurse Manager for Billings Clinic’s helicopter operations in Bozeman, where he has spent the past five years leading a team of flight professionals and ensuring the highest standards of patient care. His career reflects a commitment to excellence, leadership, and delivering critical care wherever it’s needed most.
"Flying into the Carroll College MCI event this past April was an incredibly special moment for me—a full-circle experience that brought me back to where my journey to become a nurse began. As we approached the campus, it was surreal to look down and see the place where so much of my growth, blood, sweat, and tears, helped shape me into the nurse I am today.""I thought about the countless hours spent on the football field as a student-athlete, building discipline and resilience, and the long days in Simperman Hall, pouring over textbooks and clinical studies, striving to earn my nursing degree. Landing on campus and seeing the “purple wave” of nursing students in action during the drill was an amazing sight. The energy, focus, and passion of the students and staff were palpable—everyone was committed to doing great things, and it showed. To all involved, you truly knocked it out of the park!
"Visiting Carroll College reminded me not only of where I started but of the incredible energy, dedication, and heart that continue to drive the next generation of nurses. It was an honor to return, reconnect, and witness the passion that will shape the future of healthcare."
"One of the highlights of my visit was sharing a special moment with Terri John. She had given me a small ceramic angel heart during my junior year, a time when I was struggling to balance the demands of a grueling semester with life as a student-athlete. That little angel has traveled with me everywhere, reminding me of perseverance and care. Being able to return to Carroll and show Terri that I’ve carried it with me all these years was deeply meaningful—it’s a memory I will always cherish."
From critical care to air medical leadership, Ted shares insights on adaptability, compassion, and the “purple cow” advice that still guides him today. Read our full Q&A with Ted here.
Upcoming Events
Carroll’s 5th Annual Saints Giving Day is a 24-hour online fundraising event when we all come together to give back to the areas of Carroll that mean the most to us—noon to noon on March 19-20, 2026. We are planning to raise funds to help send two nursing students to the AACN Nursing Student Policy Summit in Washington, DC in spring 2026. We hope you will support the Nursing Cause and other worthy campus causes next March.
Student Research Festival (SRF) – April 24, 2026 The research presented through oral and poster presentations at this one-day campus event is impressive and inspiring. If you are in Helena, please plan to attend!
Mass Casualty Training – April 28, 2026 The 4th annual Mock Mass Casualty Training on campus is planned for April 28, 2026. Nursing faculty Kate Pieper continues to build on the success of previous years in organizing this valuable collaborative simulation experience.
Discover nursing in action: From student achievements to impactful initiatives, explore recent news related to Carroll Nursing.
Know someone who is interested in Nursing? Refer them to Carroll! Learn about the exceptional opportunities, training, and support that set our program apart—find out more here.
We'd Love to Hear From You
Whether from the streets of Haiti or Havre, we’d love to hear your news. Janet Johnson, Terri John, and Jean Falley are co-editors of the Nursing Newsletter – you can email any of us with your news or nominations for future alumni spotlights. Please direct any questions or suggestions to jmjohnson@carroll.edu, tjohn@carroll.edu, or jfalley@carroll.edu.
We hope you have enjoyed this winter edition of the Nursing newsletter. Thank you for your continued interest and support of Carroll’s nursing program!
Sincerely,
The Carroll College Nursing Faculty & Staff
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The Carroll College nursing department’s new Mobile Health Unit is already making an impact. In its first months on the road, faculty and students provided free health screenings and wellness education at the Augusta Rodeo (June), Symphony Under the Stars (July), Alive @ Five (August), and Homecoming (September).
Upcoming Events