First MS Nurse Orientation Program a success - National MS Society News - multiple sclerosis - Brief Article

Inside MS, Spring, 2002

Despite post-9/11 jitters, last October more than 80 people from around the country flocked to Manhattan to attend the first annual MS Nurse Orientation Program. Attendees included nurses from some two dozen MS centers, as well as other practice areas such as rehabilitation and home care.

Jointly sponsored by the National MS Society's home office staff and the Society's New York City Chapter, the MS Nurse Orientation Program is a comprehensive course providing an overview of MS, summaries of MS research and treatments, extensive introductions to both psychosocial issues and clinical administrative issues, as well as sessions devoted to rehabilitation and nursing care and the role of the nurse in patient and family education.

Underwritten by the New York City Chapter's Janet Pearce Nursing Fellowship Program, the first annual MS Nurse Orientation Program was held on October 18 and 19 at New York University School of Medicine's Hospital for Joint Diseases.

In light of the success of the program, the Society is now working with one of the country's largest health-care providers, HealthSouth, to set up a similar orientation program. HealthSouth is currently launching about 30 MS centers nationwide.