NSU Horizons Spring/Summer 2008

“The department has exceeded all my expectations by achiev- ing so much in such a short period of time,” said Diane Whitehead, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., Ed.D., associate dean of nursing. “NSU is producing quality nurses for the state. We hope to continue grow- ing the program to meet the public’s health care needs.” NSU’s R.N. to B.S.N. program is designed to give students with associate’s degrees coursework to prepare them to practice in all health care settings, offering them more options to achieve their professional goals. “B.S.N. nurses, according to research, help patients achieve better outcomes,” Whitehead said. “To advance in the field of nurs- ing, you need at least a bachelor’s degree.” The program quickly spread to NSU’s Student Educational Centers in Orlando and Fort Myers and became available online. “The [R.N. to B.S.N.] curriculum is rigorous and detailed, which will prepare me well for my chosen career,” said nursing student Liz Funchess. “I chose NSU because I wanted excellence from my continuing education.” In 2004, an entry-level baccalaureate program was added for students wanting to enter the nursing profession who have no nursing experience. Applicants must have completed 30 under- graduate credits of science, English, and humanities to qualify. During the 27-month B.S.N. program, students receive both classroom and clinical education before they graduate with the required 121 credits. Upon graduation, they are required to take the National Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, which they must pass in order to practice. NSU’s last three graduating baccalaureate classes boasted an average passing score of 97.4 percent—the second-highest overall score among 20 Florida universities with nursing programs. As further testament to the baccalaureate program’s success, Baptist Health South Florida has offered 80 scholarships for NSU entry-level nursing students. After graduation, the scholar- ship recipients will work at one of Baptist Health’s hospitals for three years. “Nova Southeastern University provides cutting-edge knowledge as part of its curriculum,” said Kathryn Fisk, Baptist Health’s corporate vice president and chief human resources officer. “We’re proud to have these well-prepared students join our workforce.” For nurses wishing to pursue careers as educators, executives, and other specialists, NSU created a master of science in nursing (M.S.N.) program in 2005. The two-year program is open to registered nurses with R.N. licenses and bachelor’s degrees in any field. Students can specialize in the areas of nursing education, health systems leadership, or public and community health nursing. Because the curriculum is offered online, those enrolled in the program have the opportunity to take classes taught by Whitehead and her distinguished faculty members from anywhere in the country. “Students from across the country are enjoying the inter- action and conveniences of participating in online education designed to meet the demands of busy, working nurses,” said 18 horizons bachelor’s degree programs master’s degree programs