The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing recently was awarded a three-year, $812,000 grant to create a new master’s degree specialty in executive nurse leadership.
The goal of the program is to expand the number of registered nurses with advanced preparation in administration and leadership. The grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration.
“The need for this type of education is in high demand across Nebraska,” said Karen Grigsby, Ph.D., grant project director. “Whether care is delivered in a hospital, acute care facility, a long term care unit, a nursing home, or even at home, everyone wants their beloved family member to have the best care possible.
“This specialty program provides opportunities for nurse leaders to develop knowledge and skill to improve the work environment and help nurses at the bedside deliver the best possible care,” Dr. Grigsby said. “We can provide nurse leaders with the knowledge and tools to effectively develop staff to provide care in a timely, efficient, safe and effective way. Constant changes in health care require different ways of thinking about the delivery of care. Some of the challenges include changes in patient management, technology, regulatory requirements and reimbursement systems.”
Nurses can access the program in one of three ways — an accelerated registered nurse to master’s degree in nursing program, a traditional bachelor’s in nursing degree to master’s degree in nursing program or a post-master’s certificate. The programs may be completed either a full-time or part-time basis.
Kathy Duncan, Ph.D., grant project co-director, said when nursing managers across the state were surveyed, they found a great interest in making the programs available in a convenient manner.
Dr. Duncan said since most nurses in rural Nebraska work in or near their homes, they wanted to make the program convenient. “The programs we’re offering will be delivered to nurses online so they don’t have to travel to one of our five campus sites,” she said. “This allows nurses to continue working while learning and using that knowledge immediately in their work setting.”
Though the grant is primarily focused on recruiting students from rural areas, Dr. Grigsby said they also are looking also for nurses with diverse cultural backgrounds to serve culturally diverse populations in rural and urban areas.
Students will access programs through the Internet via a computer, computer camera, headset or telephone. In some courses, they will complete clinical requirements, but these can be done in the work setting or in a nearby facility. Faculty will work with preceptors – volunteer faculty members – in or near the students’ home bases.
The grant brings to six the number of active externally funded training grants underway at the College of Nursing.
Applications for fall 2011 programs are due Feb. 1. For more information, contact Dr. Grigsby at kgrigsby@unmc.edu or (402) 559-6622.