College of Nursing to hold open house Jan. 13
Upstate Medical University’s College of Nursing will hold an open house Wednesday, Jan. 13 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Medical Alumni Auditorium of Weiskotten Hall, 766 Irving Ave.
The event will showcase the college’s advanced degree offerings and certificate programs and provide an opportunity for attendees to meet with Nursing faculty and Upstate’s admission’s staff. The event is well timed for individuals interested in obtaining a degree in nursing as the application deadline for the Fall 2016 semester is March 1.
College of Nursing officials say there is no better time to consider enhancing one’s education as nurses with advanced degrees are becoming some of the most marketable job applicants these days.
“What is so rewarding about nursing as a profession today are the opportunities for career growth that comes with additional education,” said Jodie Brown, RN, MSN, MBA, director of continuing nursing education, recruitment and marketing at Upstate’s College of Nursing. “With the advent of health care reform, we have seen that nurses with advanced education are playing greater roles in patient care, research and administrative functions.”
One of the newer advanced degrees for nursing is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which Upstate began offering as an online program in 2013. The DNP is the nursing profession’s highest clinical doctorate, designed for individuals working in clinical practice and in areas that support clinical practice, such as administration, organizational management, leadership and policy.
The degree provides nurses with the preparation to assume a larger clinical role that encompasses populations and systems, as well as individual patients. In some settings, a nurse with a DNP may oversee the development of a clinical practice.
The DNP program recently received full accreditation after a rigorous review by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Nursing officials say the review exceeded standard achievement levels by a high margin. The review included an on-site visit by the evaluation team, interviews with faculty, students and community representatives. All of the college’s bachelor’s and master’s degree and certificate programs also are accredited by the CCNE.
College of Nursing degree options start with the Bachelor of Nursing degree, which is designed for registered nurses from associate degree programs of nursing. The degree program offers flexibility in completing the requirements for a baccalaureate, with multiple pathways for admission.
The Master of Science in Nursing Program is designed for registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees to work as nurse practitioners. The program helps prepare nurses for primary care nurse practitioner roles in family, family psychiatric mental health and pediatrics. Students can also study to become clinical nurse specialists.
The Fall 2016 class will be the first to take some courses in the College of Nursing’s new on-campus home. A new academic building, adjacent to Weiskotten Hall, is expected to open this Spring and includes state-of-the-art learning spaces that will facilitate working in teams, emphasizing the college’s team-based learning.
“We’re delighted to be moving into what will be a dynamic structure with innovative learning spaces for when our nursing students gather on campus,” Brown said.
Brown said that many degree program offerings are available on line. “For many nurses, juggling the needs of work and families can be complex, so we keep our programs flexible to meet these busy schedules,” Brown said.
The open house will also feature representatives from Crouse College of Nursing, who will discuss their associate’s degree program in nursing.
For more information on the Upstate College of Nursing programs, call Student Admissions at 315-464-4570
