TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Advanced nursing degrees are within easier reach for local registered nurses practicing at Trinity Medical Center thanks to a new Internet-based partnership between the hospital and The University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing.
Representatives from the hospital and the Capstone College of Nursing signed agreements today outlining the partnership to provide registered nurses with an avenue for continued quality education. This includes specific opportunities for the nurses to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and/or a Master of Science in Nursing degree.
“Trinity Medical Center is committed to supporting our nurses and providing cost-effective, individualized access to higher education opportunities and ultimately proficiency in their work here,” said Jan Gannon, Trinity’s chief nursing officer. “Our goal is to recruit and retain the best nurses and to make professional mobility easily accessible, particularly with the demand for nurses today.”
Dr. Jeanette VanderMeer, assistant professor in the Capstone College of Nursing and coordinator of RN Mobility, said the agreement is designed to provide nurses more options and flexibility in earning advanced degrees while improving communication between local entities and UA.
Through the use of the Internet, nurses can complete the required nursing courses for the BSN degree in one year, without facing the restrictions of being in class on a specific time and day. Instead, RN students have the flexibility of choosing the best time to go online and complete the requirements. Clinical activities are designed on an individual basis, and efforts are made to arrange locations and times convenient to students.
UA received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 2004-2007 to expand the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing track. The grant provided state-of-the-art laptop computers that can be loaned to students while they are enrolled in the program.
UA has established partnerships with other health care institutions, including St. Vincent’s Hospital, AlaCare Home Health and Hospice, the DCH Health Care System and Southeast Alabama Medical Center. Partnership agreements also are in place with 10 community colleges in Alabama that offer associate degree programs in nursing.
For more information, contact the UA Office of Nursing Student Services at 205/348-6639 or 1-800-313-3591, or Trinity Medical Center at 205/599-4926.
Contact
Chris Bryant, UA Office of Public Relations, 205/348-8323, cbryant@ur.ua.edu
Leisha Harris, Trinity Medical Center, 205/599-4926 or 205/888-5476, Leisha.harris@triadhospitals.com