|
IWU to Launch Transition-to-Nursing Program
By Alan Miller 10/24/06 Indiana Wesleyan University will begin a course of study for people with bachelor’s degrees who want to earn a second degree in nursing. The accelerated program was created to address a current – and emerging – shortage of nurses nationwide. The first transition-to-nursing class, with a maximum of 20 students, will begin in July 2007. Students who complete the 14-month course will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. The program will be offered initially only at IWU’s main campus in Marion but may be extended to regional campuses later. The curriculum consists of 61 credit-hours of course work, and students will spend about 30-35 hours in class each week. IWU nursing programs are accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education. "The accelerated second degree program is designed to provide a sound foundation in nursing skills and includes leadership and research in the clinical setting," said Karen Hoffman. "The program also provides a foundation for pursuit of graduate education." Hoffman, an assistant professor of nursing, is developing the new program. She joined the IWU faculty in 1996. For information about the new nursing program, contact the IWU Division of Nursing at 765-677-2269 or karen.hoffman@indwes.edu. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says there are more than 100,000 unfilled nursing jobs in the country, and the shortage is expected to double by 2010. Hoffman said Indiana has a shortage of nurses greater than 10 percent, and that deficit is projected to grow to 31 percent by 2020. "A primary purpose of the accelerated second degree program in nursing is to provide an expedited method for graduating more Indiana nurses with bachelor’s degrees," she said. IWU’s nursing division began in 1972, and the first class of 33 students graduated in May 1975. About 415 students are enrolled in the four-year undergraduate nursing program that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. IWU’s Department of Graduate Studies in Nursing also offers Master of Science degrees with majors in primary-care nursing, nursing education and nursing administration. The primary-care major leads to licensing as a nurse practitioner. IWU also offers a Bachelor of Science completion program for registered nurses without bachelor’s degrees. Indiana Wesleyan University is an evangelical Christian comprehensive university that was founded in 1920 and is committed to liberal arts and professional education. The University is affiliated with The Wesleyan Church, which has its world headquarters in Indianapolis. About 2,935 students are enrolled in traditional programs on IWU’s Marion campus. Another 11,350 working professionals are enrolled in adult education programs at various sites in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. FOR MORE INFORMATION
|
.gif){kind=small}
2.gif){kind=small}
