Nursing to offer accelerated bachelor’s degree

Graduate student Kim Camp works with the IV simulator as Dan Brick looks on.

The UNMC College of Nursing has received a $1.17 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will provide three years of funding to launch and establish a one-year accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing program.

In January, the college will admit a class of 10 in Omaha and plans to admit 10 students in its Lincoln Division in the fall of 2005. The application deadline for the first class is Oct. 1.

Catherine Todero, Ph.D., associate dean for undergraduate programs, UNMC College of Nursing, said the program would help the college admit more students and address the nursing shortage by getting nurses into the workforce faster. The college has experienced a significant increase of applicants to its programs over the past few years.

She said the typical student in accelerated programs seeks a second degree and desires a career change to nursing.

“Accelerated programs provide an answer to the acute nursing shortage because they take highly motivated individuals with good academic backgrounds and skills and educate them quickly for much needed nursing roles,” Dr. Todero said. “The need for nurses in Nebraska with BSN degrees is particularly acute. This project will provide badly needed nurses for Nebraska by educating those already living and looking for work here.”

Catherine Todero, Ph.D.

Though academic, clinical and most admission requirements are the same for the accelerated program as the traditional program, Dr. Todero said one difference is the accelerated program requires students to possess a bachelor’s degree upon admission.

“The program is extremely intense,” she said. “Instead of the traditional program of five semesters, students attend the accelerated program in two semesters and a summer – without semester breaks. Clinical rotations may be held on evenings and weekends.”
Students will spend 38 to 43 hours a week in class, in clinic or engaged in online studying.

One of the unique aspects of this accelerated program will be the use of creative online theory and virtual/simulation teaching strategies. The tools give students an opportunity to test their knowledge and skills in a simulated environment, which faculty members say gives them more confidence before patient encounters.

“We will capitalize on many of the educational innovations we have implemented and take our educational efforts to the next level through the application of virtual and simulation learning experiences,” Dr. Todero said. “The realism of these applications engages the student and makes the clinical experience much more efficient and valuable.”

There are many employment opportunities in nursing and the prospects for future employment are good, Dr. Todero said.

“Nursing is really a very rewarding profession,” she said. “With the economy still being a bit soft, it’s harder for graduates in some other disciplines to get a job. I think people looking at career changes are looking at nursing as a profession with a lot of options. We will always need nurses.”

For more information, contact Dani Eveloff via e-mail at develoff@unmc.edu or by phone at 1-800-626-8431, or (402) 559-5184.