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Nursing department reveals future aspirations |
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Tuesday, 30 January 2007 |
Editor’s Note: This is the third of three articles providing an overview of Appalachian’s recently established nursing program.
by AUBREY RESECH
News Reporter
Appalachian State University’s nursing program is experiencing success with student interest and support from both the staff and the university.
Part
of the program’s attraction for students is the timely manner in which
they can earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).
“I would recommend the program to others because it can be done in
three semesters depending on what general courses may be lacking for
the degree,” Faith H. Haywood, a senior nursing major, said.
With the popular start, hopes for future growth are beginning to form.
“The overall goal of the university and nursing department is for the
program to achieve national nursing accreditation from the Commission
of Colleges of Nursing Education (CCNE),” Dr. Karen S. Reesman,
chairperson and associate professor of the nursing department, said.
The nursing department hopes to establish a four-year nursing degree by
2008 or 2009. However, before the four-year degree can be established,
a petition for approval must be submitted to the State Board of
Nursing. Therefore, the dates are tentative.
Only after the nursing program receives official approval from the
State Board for a four-year degree can a master’s program can be
contemplated.
However, it is the goal of the department to eventually offer a master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in education.
Appalachian has always been known for producing excellent teachers, so
it would only seem natural to include education as part of the degree,
once we are able to offer it, Reesman said.
“I hope the department grows so everyone who wants to practice nursing
can receive an excellent education focused on culturally sensitive,
evidence-based practice,” Dr. Phoebe Pollitt, nursing department
clinical coordinator, said.
As of now, the nursing department is not looking for any additional staff.
As the program grows, more faculty positions will potentially be available.
Furthermore, the department does not plan to open any other cohorts
because they hope to have the four-year degree program up and running
in the next couple of years.
In general, programs for associate’s degrees are not offered at the
university level, Reesman said. As such, the nursing program does not
have any plans to implement an associate’s degree program at
Appalachian.
“However, both the nation and North Carolina need all the nurses that
they can produce, so there is plenty of room for nurses from both
community college and university levels,” Reesman said.
The department is well aware that current students are interested in
becoming part of the BSN program, but are unsure of what to do until it
officially exists.
“Any student wishing to study at Appalachian and who also wishes to
become a professional nurse with a bachelor’s degree is welcome to
begin their studies, taking required core courses, just as any other
student would,” Reesman said. “If at the time a student is ready to
proceed and we offer a four-year degree, then we would welcome them to
apply. If we don’t have such a program, then they would be in a perfect
position to transfer to another four-year university with a nursing
program.”
The nursing staff believes the future of Appalachian’s program will be bright.
“My hope is that the program will graduate nurses with BSN degrees who
will make a difference in the lives of all the patients, families and
communities that they serve,” Dr. Wendy Miller, an instructor in the
nursing department, said.
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