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New Master of Science in Nursing Announced
URBANA, Ohio (April 2, 2009) - The Board of Trustees of Urbana University is pleased to announce the approval of a Master of Science in Nursing degree by the Ohio Board of Regents. The first learning cohort will begin this summer with applications currently begin accepted.
The program was designed by Dr. Nancy Sweeney, Chair of the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at the University in response to the demand for nurses prepared to be leaders who are independent and collaborative in facilitating and promoting healthcare change. This need has grown in response to the aging workforce and shortage in the nursing profession across the U.S. Nurses with advanced degrees are needed to provide leadership in health care facilities, schools of nursing, and in specific nursing arenas (education, administration, community health, occupational health, etc.) in response to community-based care and increased public awareness of health promotion efforts. Both acute care and community settings need highly skilled nurses to monitor the quality of client care and effectively manage complex health systems. Leadership in creating high quality, economical options for health care within the current era of health care reform and cost containment are primary goals of advanced role nurses.
The Department of Nursing at Urbana University exists to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for careers in professional nursing practice. The faculty of the Department of Nursing facilitates learning along with personal and professional development in an environment that reflects the University's mission and values and encourages life-long learning.
With the addition of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, the University shows a commitment to address the needs of the healthcare community. A recent study completed by the American Association of College of Nursing (2008) reported that "49,948 qualified applications were not accepted at schools of nursing last year due primarily to a shortage of faculty and resource constraints." This curriculum is specifically designed to prepare qualified nursing faculty and nursing administrators. Urbana University seeks to be part of the solution to this problem. While MSN programs exist in other universities in Ohio, most of these graduate programs have changed their focus to preparing advanced practice clinical nurses.
In making the announcement on the acceptance of the MSN program, Dr. Stephen B. Jones, President of Urbana University stated, "We take seriously our obligation to engage as responsible stewards of place, identifying and meeting educational needs and adding positive value to regional vitality. Our newly approved MSN program permits Urbana University to address a critical regional need for nursing administrators and nursing educators."
The MSN graduate degree program builds upon the baccalaureate curriculum to prepare students for advanced practice by promoting the development of advanced knowledge and therapeutic nursing interventions, theory evaluation, and research. The program is designed with two tracks: Nursing Administration and Nursing Education with the outcome of preparing nurses to assume advanced leadership roles and responsibilities in nursing service and education. Graduate students in the program will increase their skills in critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving required for the coordination of health care programs within complex systems in an era of health care reform. The curriculum is based upon nursing and related theories and the application of research findings to clinical administrative and educational nursing issues. Graduate students are also prepared for doctoral study in nursing and continued personal and professional development.
Dr. Sweeney noted, "At Urbana University, we recognize that working individuals must maintain a balance between family, work and school responsibilities. We try to be sensitive to both time and financial constraints of our students and apply a personal approach to meet their needs." The program is designed for part-time study. Part-time students may complete their degree requirements in three (3) to five (5) years, depending on the number of courses taken per semester.
Currently, two Urbana University campuses are approved to offer the program: Urbana University main campus in Urbana and the Springfield site at the Springfield Regional School of Nursing. Classes are offered in the evenings. All MSN courses are web-assisted with additional online course options being developed at the MSN level. Students and faculty negotiate clinical sites with experienced mentors.
The approval of the MSN Program adds yet another dimension of healthcare education available in West Central Ohio. Urbana University currently participates in a partnership with Springfield Regional School of Nursing which facilitates matriculation into the BSN Completion Program for registered nurses. Allied Health programs in Radiographic Imaging and Respiratory Care are also available through a partnership with Rhodes State College in Lima and the Allied Health Education Consortium of Northwest Ohio. Graduates of Allied Health Associate Degree programs may complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Management at Urbana University. For more information on any of the Nursing and Allied Health degree programs or to apply to the Master of Science in Nursing program offered at Urbana University, contact Dr. Nancy Sweeney at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by calling 937-328-9610.