Unique Initiative Designed to Ease National Shortage of Nurse Educators

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I received this press release in my email today and felt I would post it here for you to read and comment on.  I like the idea of this new track, but I am concerned with the push to have nurses get out of nursing by getting a higher degree.  I recognize that we need more nurse educators to facilitate more nursing graduates out on the floors, but it seems to me that there is such a push for all nurses to get that next degree that it takes your focus off why you went into nursing to begin with–patient care.

Let me know what you think about this press release.  I get these all the time and if you want I will be happy to repost them here for discussion.  Just let me know if that is what you want.

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Cleveland State University Creates Innovative Nursing Education Program

Unique Initiative Designed to Ease National Shortage of Nurse Educators

 

Cleveland, Ohio (September 21, 2011) – In an effort to  help ease the national shortage of nurses and nurse educators, Cleveland State University (CSU) has announced a new Nursing Education Specialization track within its Urban Education PhD program.

 

Beginning this fall, the new track will help to alleviate the strain within America’s nursing education infrastructure by preparing nurses for research-oriented faculty positions. There is a rapidly increasing need for well-trained, urban-based nurses throughout the country, as well as a shortage of nursing faculty prepared at the doctoral level. CSU’s doctoral program will teach research based nurse educators how to prepare practitioners to meet the complex healthcare needs in urban and culturally diverse communities.

In order to further encourage the pursuit of careers in nursing education, CSU has received a competitive grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assist graduate students interested in becoming nurse educators. Acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HHS has allocated Nursing Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) funds to CSU students enrolled in an eligible advanced degree program in nursing (master’s or doctoral) at the School. After graduation from the program, loan recipients may cancel up to 85% of the NFLP loan over a consecutive four-year period, while serving as full-time nursing educators at a school of nursing.

For the city of Cleveland, the specialization track symbolizes a new dawn, as CSU will be the first university in Ohio to offer such a track within their doctoral program. Currently nurses with an interest in teaching have to join programs outside the State of Ohio. As the national demand for nurses continues to increase, CSU’s initiative will exemplify a creative vision to address a long term need.

“Nurse educators have a profound impact on their students and subsequently, those graduating nurses will engage in professional practice to improve health outcomes for patients, their families and the communities they serve,” said Dr. Vida Lock, Dean of Cleveland State University’s School of Nursing. “CSU’s new Nursing Education Specialization Track aligns closely with CSUs mission and is another example of the University’s fostering of interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare professionals focused on leadership, social justice and partnerships to address contemporary urban issues.”

With the demand for doctors and nurses expected to increase as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement, CSU’s new program could not have come at a better time. In addition, the School of Nursing’s community-based curriculum will prove to be an excellent teaching “lab” for future nursing educators to hone their skills.

The School of Nursing is an independent academic unit within the University’s structure, underscoring the commitment to nursing education by the Board of Trustees and University President. Prospective doctoral candidates are required to hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree, an active unrestricted nursing license, and have recent experience in nursing practice or education. Graduate faculty members in CSU’s School of Nursing will mentor candidates in the Nursing Education track and serve on dissertation committees, guiding these future academics in research that will add to the body of scientific knowledge related to preparing future nursing professionals as well as keeping all nurses current with the ever changing practice of health care.

 

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