The Michigan State University College of Nursing is offering several new degree programs that are completely online and will help address both the shortage of nurses and nurse educators in this country.
Beginning in the fall of 2003, the college will offer an RN to BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) program for registered nurses, a master of science in nursing (MSN) with a concentration on nursing education and a case management certificate program.
Currently, the MSU College of Nursing offers five Web-based courses -- pathophysiology, pharmacology, research, international health, and mental health and aging. With these new programs, the college will offer a total of 22 online courses.
"These new programs will allow nurses to remain in their communities, doing the important work they do," said Judith Vinson, the college's associate dean for academic affairs. "They also will provide the nurses with needed flexibility, as well as the opportunity to enhance their careers and the quality of care they provide."
The RN to BSN program will help working nurses gain additional experience in community health nursing, as well as enhance their leadership and management skills. A BSN also expands the employment opportunities for registered nurses.
"One of the advantages of this program is that it will take only five semesters to complete instead of the usual seven," Vinson said. "Students will take the same amount of nursing credits, but will earn more credit for successful completion of the national licensing exam."
Instead of earning 21 credits for passing the exam, students will now earn 30. The National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses is the test RNs take to become certified in their state.
The introduction of the MSN program is especially timely, as the shortage of nurse educators is becoming as critical as the nationwide shortage of nurses.
"The average age of the nursing work force is approximately 46," Vinson said. "However, the average age of an assistant professor is around 50."
The rank of assistant professor is usually considered the entry level into the faculty ranks.
Case management is a growing field with many opportunities for health care professionals. This is a post-baccalaureate certificate program for nurses who will coordinate the care of patients in a complex health care system to assure high quality and cost effectiveness.
This three-course series is designed for working professionals who require the flexibility and convenience of online learning, and will prepare them for entry-level case management positions in a variety of settings. The program may be completed in six months. Nurses who are currently in case management roles and are interested in advancing their careers will benefit from these courses as they prepare for national certification or opportunities in a new case management setting.
All courses associated with the three new programs are 100 percent online, and all clinical experiences are completed within the student's community.
The college will continue to offer the MSN Nurse Practitioner program, in which 50 percent of the courses are offered online. Established in 1976, the nurse practitioner program currently offers the choice of a family or adult nurse practitioner specialty.
The MSU College of Nursing is community-based and has affiliations with more than 150 health care agencies throughout Michigan.
"Another of the major advantages we offer graduate students is more than four years of online teaching experience in the College of Nursing," Vinson said. "Plus, we work very closely with the MSU College of Education graduate programs, which for nine consecutive years have been ranked among the best in the nation."
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