Keeler, Sharon

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UNH Scholars' Repository

University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices5-5-2004UNH Launches Graduate Program to AddressNursing ShortageSharon KeelerFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationKeeler, Sharon, "UNH Launches Graduate Program to Address Nursing Shortage" (2004). UNH Today. 1655.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/165510/4/17, 12)33 PMUNH Launches Graduate Program to Address Nursing ShortagePage 1 of 3http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2004/may/sk_20040505nursing.htmlRelated LinksMaster's in Nursing atUNHUNH Launches Graduate Program to Address NursingShortage Master's Program Open to Those With Non-Nursing Bachelor's DegreesContact: Sharon Keeler603-862-1566UNH Media RelationsMay 5, 2004Editors/News Directors: May 6-12 is National Nurses Week. We hope you will find thisUNH story timely and useful. The university is having a public information session on thisnew program May 17, and news coverage will help encourage interested people to attend.Digital photos are available to accompany this story. Please call (603) 862-1566 ifinterested.DURHAM, N.H. -- Jennifer Thompson, 38, left behind a lucrative career in pharmaceutical salesto become a nurse. She is one of 21 students enrolled in the University of New Hampshire's newdirect entry master's in nursing program that is answering the call to fill the state and nationalneed for more nurses prepared at higher levels of education."When I was working in sales and I would ask myself 'What did I do today?' I couldn't answerthat question in a meaningful way," said Thompson, of Bedford. "Before I went into sales Iworked as an exercise physiologist with cardiac patients, and I enjoyed the relationship I hadwith people. I wanted to get back to that, and I wanted to play a more direct role in patient care."Like her classmates, Thompson's undergraduate degree is not in nursing. Many come from thecorporate world, some from related fields like biotechnology, and one is even a geologist. Theseare exactly the students UNH is seeking for its program - those who have bachelor's degrees inother disciplines, but who want to enter the nursing profession and earn an advanced degreewithout having to complete an additional bachelor's degree.UNH's direct entry master's in nursing program is unique in New Hampshire, and joins agrowing trend of similar programs across the nation. Accelerated programs in nursing haveshown a significant increase in the last 10 years in response to both the need for nurses and theinterest in nursing as a result of the downturn in the economy.The two-and a-half year, full-time program prepares students to take the Nursing LicensureExam (NCLEX) after the first year of courses, become a Registered Nurse, and graduate with amaster's degree in the clinical nursing leadership program. The master's of science in clinicalnursing leadership program focuses on the development of nurses at the advanced clinician level."This innovative course of study develops expert nursing practice, promotes interdisciplinarycollaboration, and fosters life-long learning skills," says Dorothy Rentschler, UNH associateprofessor of nursing and program director. "All students develop strong clinical decision-making10/4/17, 12)33 PMUNH Launches Graduate Program to Address Nursing ShortagePage 2 of 3http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2004/may/sk_20040505nursing.htmlprofessor of nursing and program director. "All students develop strong clinical decision-makingand practice skills. The graduates of this program will be equipped to assume leadershippositions in nursing service units, contribute to clinical nursing education, and function as expertclinicians in direct care roles."The UNH program will increase the number of master's prepared nurses at patients' bedsideswhich, according to a recent study by Dr. Linda Aiken and colleagues, published in the Journalof American Medical Association (JAMA), leads to better patient outcomes and more costeffective care. In addition, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing states, "Graduatesof accelerated programs are prized by nurse employers who value the many layers of skill andeducation these graduates bring to the workplace."The association also reports that agencies are partnering with schools of nursing and offeringscholarships to students as a means for recruiting highly qualified nurses. Thompson and severalof her classmates have received $5,000 scholarships from the Foundation for HealthyCommunities in Concord in exchange for a commitment to teach nursing courses withinRegistered Nurse programs in New Hampshire following their graduation.The Foundation for Healthy Communities is a nonprofit corporation that exists to improve healthand health care, and includes New Hampshire hospitals, health plans, clinicians, home careagencies and public policy leaders.The need for nurses with master's and doctoral degrees to fill faculty positions is also critical, asmore students are applying to nursing programs, but not enough teachers are available to meetthe need.Students in the UNH program spend Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the classroom under theguidance of university faculty, and Thursdays and Fridays in clinical settings throughout thestate. The hospitals currently being used include Elliot Hospital in Manchester, Catholic MedicalCenter in Manchester, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and Southern New Hampshire MedicalCenter in Nashua. The students will participate in a variety of clinical experiences at variousclinical agencies.Student Steve Abbott, 44, of Dover says coming back to school full-time presents its personalchallenges, as he and many of his classmates are juggling families with studies. Even so, he says,"I'm amazed how quickly I could get back into the swing of school. The insecurity of financeskept me from doing it sooner, but it's manageable. I'm very pleased with my decision. It feelslike the right thing."Thompson agrees, and says even her nursing training has provided her with the personalfulfillment she didn't feel in her previous profession. She says she will never forget her firstpatient - an elderly man she cared for through surgery and then again during a home visit afterdischarge."I know I made a difference in his life," Thompson says. "I know I made the right decision tobecome a nurse."UNH's Department of Nursing is one of the oldest and largest departments within the School ofHealth and Human Services. As the only four-year public nursing program in New Hampshire,the department is committed to providing leadership in nursing education and practice in thestate and region.The department is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Inaddition to the baccalaureate programs the university offers a nursing master's degree withprograms leading to family and adult nurse practitioners as well as clinical nursing leadership.10/4/17, 12)33 PMUNH Launches Graduate Program to Address Nursing ShortagePage 3 of 3http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2004/may/sk_20040505nursing.htmlprograms leading to family and adult nurse practitioners as well as clinical nursing leadership.UNH will hold an information session for those interested in learning more about the direct entrymaster's in nursing program. It will take place May 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Hewitt Hall on theDurham campus. For room location or additional information, contact Patty Jarema at (603) 862-2395 or at pjarema@cisunix.unh.edu or visit www.unh.edu/nursing.

UNH Launches Graduate Program to Address Nursing Shortage

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UNH Launches Graduate Program to Address Nursing Shortage

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