Nursing in the Lincoln area got a shot in the arm Friday thanks to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
The regents made a new building for the UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division a priority project in their proposed 2011-2013 biennial capital construction budget, which means the school eventually could increase its annual admittance of new students by more than 60.
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The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Friday included a new building for the College of Nursing’s Lincoln division among its 2011-2013 priority construction projects. |
“We’re delighted the Board of Regents approved this investment in improving the health of Nebraska through world-class nursing education,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. “It will make a lasting, positive impact on Nebraska.”
If approved, the new facility will help the college:
- Educate more nurses with bachelor’s degrees;
- Meet increasing student demand; and
- Reduce the nursing shortage in Nebraska.
It also will help attract and prepare more nurses with master’s and doctoral degrees in specialty areas, as well as for leadership and faculty positions.
Currently, the Lincoln Division can only admit about 80 new students each year, which is only about half of the qualified applicants who apply.
With the new building, 64 more qualified student applicants — 40 in the bachelor’s program, 16 in the master’s program and eight in the doctoral program — will be admitted. Seven faculty and six researchers also will be added.
The multi-story structure would increase educational space by about 80 percent over the current facility.