 |
|
 |
 |
| Issue 12: December 2004 |
USI alumni and friends will receive
this newsletter quarterly. You may subscribe to or unsubscribe from
Connect Online at anytime by sending an email message to alumni@usi.edu.
|
Accelerated Nursing Program Ideal for
Career Changers
They come from science-related backgrounds, liberal arts, theatre, or
business, but they have one thing in common. They all want to be nurses.
Ten students at the University of Southern Indiana are taking a quick new
route to a second career in nursing. They are the first class in an
accelerated program for students who already have an undergraduate
degree in another field.
The second-degree accelerated nursing program offered by the
School of Nursing and Health Professions
is an innovative way to reach out to new student populations and meet
the staffing needs of employers.
"I've cut four years into 16 months," said Mike Beamer, one of the first to
enroll in the new program.
Dr. Ann White, assistant dean for nursing, said the school developed this
program to give non-nurses an efficient and effective method to change
careers.
"In our admission and recruitment processes, we identified a group of people
who had degrees, which meant they had completed all non-nursing courses,"
she said. "With our current program, these students would require an
additional four years to obtain a BSN degree because we have nursing courses
in every year of our curriculum. The accelerated program gives these
individuals a new option."
While students complete degree requirements in a short time frame, the
program maintains the quality of nursing education. Students immediately
concentrate on the nursing curriculum. They complete the same courses as
students in the traditional program.
Jeri Burger, instructor in nursing, supervises the clinical experiences of
the non-nurses who want to change careers.
"She spends considerable time with the students which we feel is important
during the initial semester," White said.
The accelerated program also responds to a national and regional shortage of
nurses. The local shortage is especially apparent at the end of each year, a
traditional time for changing jobs or relocating. Often, few nurses are
available to fill vacancies until a new class graduates in May. Students in
the accelerated program will graduate in December. Those in the first class
that began this semester will complete the program in December 2005.
Beamer looks upon a career in nursing as a new challenge. He earned an
associate degree in respiratory therapy in 1991 and a bachelor's in
psychology in 1992 at USI.
"As a nurse, you take care of the whole patient," he said. "Respiratory
therapy is focused on one system. I've met that challenge and am ready for
another one."
After attaining the bachelor's degree, Beamer plans to pursue a master's
degree in nursing. His goal is to become an acute care nurse practitioner.
Cynthia Jameson-Hayes earned a bachelor's degree in biology and has job
experience in engineering and business. Her decision to pursue a career in
nursing is based on personal experience as well as job outlook.
She cared for both her mother and father during long illnesses. "I have a
real insight into what the families are going through," she said.
White said that area hospitals have been supportive of the program and are
anticipating the new graduates.
USI Home | Academics | Calendar | Athletics | Visitors | Events and News | Administration
8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600
Copyright © 2012 University of Southern Indiana. All rights reserved.
