WHERE OUR NURSES LEARN

Georgia Nursing, May-Jul 2006

This section is specifically dedicated to news about nursing schools throughout the state that are on the front lines, educating the next generation of nursing leaders. To submit news about your facility, please send via email to Jodi Weber, GNA Director of Communication and Marketing, at jodi@georgia nurses.org.

Emory addresses nursing faculty shortage with summer teaching institute

To combat the faculty shortage, Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing created the innovative Emory Summer Nursing Teaching Institute, a post-master's certificate program, three years ago. The fast-track course offers masters-prepared clinicians an efficient program to become skilled educators. The teaching practicum builds on the clinical knowledge of nurses and ensures that participants learn the techniques to deliver educational materials in a skilled and effective manner.

Since its inception in 2003, the Summer Teaching Institute has graduated 19 nurses who are now teaching at nursing schools and on clinical rotations throughout metro Atlanta and even as far as the Bahamas.

Professor Emeritus Helen O'Shea, RN, PhD, who created and directs the program, says, "Faculty in nursing programs are a special breed of nurse. They have two distinct sets of skills. First they are expert clinicians able to master clinical situations, and in addition, they are skilled educators who are adept at the design of courses, utilizing various teaching and learning strategies and selecting appropriate ways to evaluate learning and skills acquisition. Our fast-track program is designed to help these expert clinicians develop the essential skills needed to become skilled educators."

Emory's nursing school is now accepting applications for this year's program, which begins in June. Upon completion of the program, participants will earn 12 graduate level academic credits (nine semester hours in the summer and three semester hours in the fall). This year's program is limited to 25 participants.

To be eligible, participants must have a master's degree in nursing with clinical specialization. Preference is given to those affiliated with a nursing education program in Georgia. For additional information on the Emory Summer Nursing Teaching Institute, contact the Office of Admissions at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at 404-727-7980 or via email at admit@nurse.emory.edu. Scholarship information is available through the Georgia Student Loan Commission.

New Master's Program in South Georgia Accepts First Class

This past January, a South Georgia university opened its doors to nurses hoping to obtain a higher degree in their field. The new Thomas University Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) will fill a much-needed gap in the educational opportunities of professional nurses in the southwest corner of the state. The MSN program offers concentrations in nursing education and nursing administration. Thomas University, located in Thomasville, Georgia, also houses a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for current RNs.

With a critical shortage of registered nurses and nurse educators eminent, TU Nursing Division Chair, Susan Otto, believes that this program will not only provide nurses with the leadership skills necessary to enhance the quality of care at the bedside, but will also prepare nurses for advanced professional roles in nursing education and nursing administration. "Our RN-BSN program further expands nurses' skills and knowledge that were obtained at the associate degree (ADN) level and prepare students for future demands of the profession. Our MSN program prepares nurses for additional opportunities in nursing leadership and nursing education. We are facing an acute shortage of nursing faculty in the United States, and our MSN program addresses this critical need by preparing nurses to assume faculty positions in this region."

The 36 credit MSN program features concentrations in nursing administration and nursing education. Classes meet one-half day per week and utilize a combination of face-to-face and online instruction. The RN-BSN program is also 36 credits and can be completed in as little as three semesters. Classes meet on-half day per week. Class sizes in both programs are intentionally small to allow for dynamic student-faculty interaction.

"I've really enjoyed my classes in the RN-BSN program at Thomas University and am really excited to begin the MSN program in the fall," says Penny McCullough, a registered nurse and student in the RN-BSN program. "I want to complete my MSN degree because I know it will open up other opportunities for me in my nursing career, and I chose Thomas University because the faculty are excellent and truly want me to do the best possible. I live about an hour and a half away from TU and the once per week drive is definitely worth it." More information can be found on the nursing program website at http://www.thomasu.edu/ nursing-ms.htm or by calling Thomas University Office of Admission.

Nursing educators interested in being a part of these programs should contact Susan Otto at (229) 226-1621.