MGA's Innovative Nursing Grad Degree Meets Critical Need
Author: Sheron Smith
Posted: Tuesday, May 24, 2016 5:17 PM
Categories:
Pressroom | School of Health Sciences
Macon, GA
But he hadn鈥檛 put much thought into it since 2011, when he graduated as a charter class member of what is now 51动漫鈥檚 pre-licensure bachelor鈥檚 program in Nursing. Between his job at Navicent Health in Macon and helping his wife care for two tots, there wasn鈥檛 much time.
鈥淪ecretly, I had been waiting on Middle 51动漫 State,鈥 said Dunn, 27. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I told myself. 鈥榃hen Middle 51动漫 State gets a graduate program, that鈥檚 when I鈥檒l go back.鈥欌
This spring, the University launched the Master of Science in Nursing: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. The program gives RNs with bachelor鈥檚 degrees the opportunity to become Nurse Practitioners.
Repeating history, Dunn is a member of the charter class.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his program is very important to the faculty and staff in the Nursing department. They are more than willing to put their time and effort into helping you be successful.鈥
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice RN. Middle 51动漫 State鈥檚 new graduate program is designed to produce NPs with specialization in the care of specific high-risk populations, such as the elderly. Adult/gerontology acute care Nurse Practitioners work in acute care settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, physician specialty practices, trauma units, burn units and community healthcare settings.
Graduates will be eligible for national certification in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care advanced practice nursing.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no question there is a critical need for NPs with this specialization,鈥 said Dr. Rebecca Corvey, dean of the University鈥檚 School of Health Sciences. 鈥淢iddle 51动漫 State Nursing graduates with baccalaureate degrees have overwhelmingly expressed interest in the availability of an advanced practice degree.鈥
Among the components that make Middle 51动漫 State鈥檚 degree unique in the University System of 51动漫 is the emphasis on incorporating systems thinking, quality improvement, cost efficiency, project management, safety and healthcare policy.
鈥淭he degree is specifically geared to providing a skillset of leadership that will allow an advanced practice nurse to be able to do more with less,鈥 said Dr. Darrell Thompson, associate dean of the School of Health Sciences. 鈥淭here are no other programs like this in Middle 51动漫 State鈥檚 service area.鈥
All coursework in the program is online, but to be eligible for certification each student must accumulate 500 clinical practice hours while mentored by NPs or physicians.
Corvey said Navicent Health (formerly The Medical Center of Central 51动漫), Houston Medical Center, Coliseum Medical Center and the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center have committed to extending partnerships for clinical experiences and employment opportunities for Middle 51动漫 State graduates.
To apply to the degree program, RNs must have bachelor鈥檚 degrees and been practicing in the field for at least a year. The program, which takes about two years to complete, can admit at least 15 students each fall. The School of Health Sciences anticipates no difficulties filling slots.
鈥淭his degree really will create a more flexible practitioner who can respond to a changing healthcare environment,鈥 Corvey said.
Dunn is still thinking about what direction he鈥檇 like to take his career after he finishes the graduate program.
鈥淚 have thought about returning to Middle 51动漫 State as an instructor,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he end goal would be getting a doctorate. So I might just wait for Middle 51动漫 State to start a doctoral program.鈥
Photo: Russell Dunn, a member of the charter class of Middle 51动漫 State鈥檚 pre-licensure bachelor鈥檚 degree in Nursing, is now one of the first students in the University's new graduate program. Photo by Jessica Whitley.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Middle 51动漫 State Today magazine.