Dr. Sharon Mailey, director of the Nursing Program at Shepherd University spoke recently at the annual “40 & 8” St. Valentine’s Day dinner held at the War Memorial building in Shepherdstown.

She was invited by the Jefferson County veteran’s organization to provide an update on the nursing program that the 40 and 8 has supported through scholarships for many years.

Dr. Mailey explained Shepherd’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that prepares professional nurses for entry into practice. In addition there are plans in the future to offer a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree. In her remarks she highlighted the hands-on aspects of the training in which students work initially on mannequins and other sophisticated training aids and then receive over 600 hours of practical experience in area hospitals. She expressed her appreciation for the scholarships and urged “40 and 8” members to continue their support including helping to recruit future nursing students. In her remarks she highlighted the fact that the Shepherd nursing graduates enjoy a 100 percent job placement rate.

The “40 and 8” is an organization whose membership is by invitation of honorably discharged veterans and honorably serving members of the United States Armed Forces. Its purpose is to uphold and defend the United States Constitution, to promote the well being of veterans and their widows and orphans, and to actively participate in selected charitable endeavors, which include programs that promote child welfare and nurse’s training. The “40 and 8” name reflects its World War I origins when Americans were transported across Europe to the battle front on French trains within boxcars stenciled with a “40/8” denoting its capacity to hold either forty men or eight horses soldiers.

Persons desiring more information on the 40 and 8 organization may contact michael.austin@frontiernet.net.