UMC School of Nursing Announces State's First Public

Accelerated Baccalaureate Nursing Program

The University of Mississippi School of Nursing has launched an accelerated degree program to address the shortage of nurses in the state’s health care work force.

It’s the state’s first 15-month accelerated second degree baccalaureate of science in nursing program offered by a public institution. The program will provide an opportunity for those who wish to change careers to enter the high-demand profession of nursing.

“The School of Nursing developed a strategic plan in 2004 that challenged us to demonstrate leadership in providing innovative educational programs to help address the nursing shortage,” said Kaye Bender, dean of the School of Nursing. “We had noted that approximately 25-30 percent of the undergraduate admissions each year were students who already had a degree. We think this approach will be a popular one that will assist us in reaching our goal of educating more nurses for the health care workforce.”

This second degree program is made possible by a three-year, $750,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services/Health Resources and Services Administration. A major goal of this program is to increase enrollment of baccalaureate prepared RNs by 25 percent in three years with special focus on recruiting a more diverse student population.

“This cutting-edge program will go a long way in filling the critical need for RNs in the state,” said Dr. Theresa M. Doddato, principal investigator of the grant. “We anticipate it being a model that can be replicated in other nursing schools throughout the state.”

Five students were selected from the 2008 class of traditional baccalaureate students to participate in the new program, and they are expected to complete the plan of study in August 2007. In the future, students will be admitted once a year in May and will complete the full-time program in four semesters.

Dr. Jean Walker, project director for the grant, said the students in the program are extraordinary. “They bring rich life experiences and multiple perspectives to the classroom. They are able to critically think and really thrive on the fast-paced curriculum,” she said.

The program is based on a Multigenerational Population-Based (MGPB) model, which means students will follow a family throughout their curriculum for clinical learning.

“On-the-spot” learning through use of technology, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), is a major focus of this program. Community care in underserved urban and rural areas is the focus of the program’s clinical experiences. Students will have the opportunity to study in the University Hospitals and Clinics in various settings, as well as three faculty-run clinical sites: UNACARE, the Tiger Paws Clinic at Johnson Elementary School and the Mercy Delta Express Project.

“One of the best aspects of this program is the learning style with one-on-one clinical experience with our instructors,” said Sally Proffitt, a student in the first accelerated second degree program. “With a previous degree and career, it is exciting to be able to focus on the nursing skills and education at an accelerated pace.”

For more information on the accelerated second degree, the generic baccalaureate, advanced standing, dual option, master’s or the doctoral programs, please contact Amanda Brandon, student recruiter, at 1-866-842-7575 or nsrecruiter@son.umsmed.edu.

Student Financial Needs Related to Hurricane Katrina

The UMC SON has identified some financial needs of our students related to Hurricane Katrina. We have set up an account in the Alumni Office for those wishing to contribute. Checks can be made out to the SON Alumni Account and then mark the check "for" Student Hurricane Relief. All funds will be used for student hurricane assistance and nothing else.

Planning Grant Awarded for Establishing a

Satellite Nursing Education Program from the

School of Nursing at the University of Mississippi

Medical Center on the Oxford Campus

On December 16, North MS Medical Center, Tupelo, and Baptist Health Systems, Oxford, announced the award of a planning grant to the School of Nursing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The purpose of the grant is to develop an implementation plan and time line for offering baccalaureate and graduate nursing education on the Oxford campus.

A planning team composed of School of Nursing faculty and administration, nursing leadership from the two partner health systems, a representative from the Oxford campus, and a representative from the Institutions of Higher Learning staff has been formed to begin the process. An early result of that process will be to develop and publish a time line for various stages of implementation.

In the meantime, the same admission process, criteria for admission, and application dates that apply to applicants for the Medical Center Campus will apply those who wish to attend the Oxford Campus. We will track those applicants who declare the Oxford Campus as their primary preference so that we can contact them for potential interest in the program. At the present time, 20 slots are designated for the satellite program.

It is anticipated that most of the classes will be conducted via distance learning technology, with some potential for intermittent travel to the Medical Center Campus for unique clinical experiences. The model chosen for the program development is the same model utilized for the satellite program on the DeSoto Campus, acknowledging the adjustments that need to be made to accommodate generic undergraduate students.

November 27, 2006

CONTACT US!

School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street,

Jackson MS 39216-4505 (601) 984-6200