June 8, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Elaine Yeiter has grown from student, to professor, to tutorial center coordinator at Grand Rapids Community College.
Yeiter graduated from GRCC with her associate degree in nursing in 2013. She entered the workforce and was a bedside nurse for about ten years. In her time as a nurse she was able to mentor and encourage many student nurses, new nurses, and staff.
“The precepting and orienting of new nurses made me realize that I really enjoy educating nurses at all levels,” Yeiter said. “I feel that nurse education is where my passion truly lies.”
She began taking classes at Ferris State University to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing. When the opportunity to teach came, it was an exciting next step. Yeiter began teaching nursing clinicals and enjoyed getting to pour into the next generation of nurses.
Recently, Yeiter stepped into the role of Health Sciences Resource and Tutorial Center coordinator. This role allows her to spend time working closely with students, giving them undivided attention outside of the classroom environment.
The Health Sciences Resource Tutorial Center provides support for students in all School of Health Sciences programs, which includes nursing, dental, exercise science, occupational therapy, and radiologic students.
“I think working one-on-one with students makes the center special,” Yeiter said. “We get to celebrate student successes after they work with a tutor and improve their test scores.”
She encourages every student who comes into the center to keep doing their best. Yeiter knows first-hand that nursing is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. But encourages students to persist.
In her first year as center coordinator, Yeiter planned a grand re-opening event for the center. She invited all health sciences students to check out the center, eat some food, and play some games. The event was a success and lots of students came to learn more about the resources available to them.
More information about the Health Sciences Resource and Tutorial Center can be found here.