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Nursing degree now offered to students |
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Tuesday, 23 January 2007 |
Editor’s Note: This article is the first of three articles providing an overview of Appalachian’s recently established nursing program.
by AUBREY RESECH
News Reporter
“This [nursing] program is a wonderful addition for promoting the professional nursing role and presence in the northwest region of North Carolina and across the state,” nursing department Chairperson Dr. Karen S. Reesman said.
Speculation for the institution of a nursing program at Appalachian State University began in early 2005.
 Active Image | File Photo
Appalachian’s new nursing program works in collaboration with Watauga Medical Center to train future nurses. The program was started in response to a nationwide shortage of nurses.
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Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock and Provost Stan R. Aeschleman became
aware of the nursing shortage on both state and national levels and
convened a university committee to investigate the potential for
starting a nursing program at Appalachian, Reesman said.
In October 2005, the program received official approval from the
University of North Carolina Board of Trustees and the Office of the
President.
The program became available to students last semester.
“I was so excited to hear that a nursing program was being started
here,” Alexandra R. Kothmayer, a freshman nursing major, said. “I have
always wanted to become a nurse and have also really wanted to be able
to attend Appalachian as well. Now I can do both.”
Students entering the nursing program will be receiving Bachelor of Science in nursing degree (BSN).
To be eligible to apply, students need to either have an associate’s
degree in nursing or be a certified registered nurse in North Carolina.
The program is designed to build on the basic skills required of a nurse.
In addition to working in an acute care setting, the BSN affords
numerous opportunities such as working in Appalachian’s health
department, a position as a school nurse, working in business and/or
industry in an occupational health nurse position, parish nursing and
administration management, Reesman said.
Nursing courses are taught off-campus by four faculty members at one of three locations.
The program operates in a cohort-based system.
The concept of a cohort-based system involves providing a schedule of
courses to an identified group of students who complete their
upper-division program of study at a particular location, according to
the Web site.
There are currently three cohorts including Watauga Medical Center,
Western Piedmont Community College and Hickory Metro Higher Education
Center.
Students receive acceptance into the WMC and WPCC cohorts every fall and into the HMHEC cohort every spring.
“The program so far is great,” Evelyn P. Brewer, a sophomore nursing
student who belongs to the Watauga Medical cohort, said. “It is
available at a time I can attend. Also, the environment is informal and
comfortable.”
The initiation of the Appalachian nursing program is in sync with both national and local needs for nurses.
In an article depicting the national nursing shortage, CNN identifies
government projections for nursing demands to increase by 450,000 by
2008.
“Very often nurses without a BSN hold positions that actually require a
BSN because we do not have enough BSN prepared nurses to fill the
needs,” Reesman said.
For more information on requirements and the application process please visit www.nursing.appstate.edu.
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