UA Online Nursing Programs Offer Invaluable Training, Life-Changing Opportunities

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Imagine discussing the latest trends in patient care with your University of Alabama classmates—from a military base in Iraq. Or, imagine helping to treat an ill child at an elementary school that’s a continent away from home, or, perhaps, simply logging on for a virtual classroom discussion from your living room one evening, after the bustle of the day has settled.

Such scenarios are the norm for students enrolled in the online nursing degree programs offered through The University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing in collaboration with UA’s College of Continuing Studies.

Some must balance the demands of a full-time job and family life; others live in rural areas far removed from the nearest college campus. Still others are based overseas. But they share one common denominator: Nontraditional learning methods have provided them with opportunities that otherwise would have been out of reach.

“They can go as far as their vision allows them to go,” said Dr. Sara Barger, dean of the Capstone College of Nursing. “And they can do it in a totally online format, from anywhere in the world. This is a whole different way of learning—a way that really meets people’s needs.”

Designed to serve registered nurses who want to obtain bachelor’s degrees and beyond, the online degree programs offer a variety of tracks that range from RN-to-BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to the relatively new DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) degree.

“We’re trying to stretch them in ways that they might not have had,” Barger said. The varied program options open up a spectrum of possibilities beyond direct patient care: case management, nursing instruction, hospital administration and more.

This flexible approach is gaining momentum, not least because it accommodates the long shifts, odd hours and frequent schedule changes that nurses typically juggle. And the timing couldn’t be better: Healthcare remains a growing industry at a point when scores of others are contracting, and the demand for skilled professionals is on the upsurge in almost every aspect of the field.

“In the nursing profession, we’re facing not only a growing shortage, but also a need for higher levels of skill,” said Dr. Carolyn Dahl, dean of the College of Continuing Studies.

At the same time, today’s economic realities make it infeasible for many nurses to adhere to traditional class schedules at the expense of their jobs. Adapting to needs such as these ensures that UA plays a vital role in progress and positive change throughout the local community and the state of Alabama.

The University has been proactive in working with Alabama’s community colleges to coordinate a smooth transition from associate’s to bachelor’s degree programs, including formal articulation agreements that promote these partnerships. Such agreements “really make the pathways evident,” said Dahl, who adds that the nursing program has been a pioneer in this regard. “The pathways are there, but sometimes potential students don’t know about them.”

Bradley R. Byrne, chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, also acknowledged the importance of making these opportunities available.

“We are pleased that The University of Alabama is offering online bachelor’s degrees in nursing,” he said. “They are an ideal option for our community college nursing graduates who hold associate degrees and decide that they want to further their education. Registered nurses are in high demand, so many of them leave our programs and are hired immediately. It is important to offer them a flexible way to continue their education and training without compromising their jobs or family lives.”

Nursing student Naomi Mozden can attest to this fact firsthand. She was training to become an RN at Wallace Community College in Dothan when her husband, who is in the Army, was deployed to South Korea. Although Mozden chose to remain behind with their children and complete her classes, that decision meant living apart from her husband for nearly a year. When she learned about the Continuing Studies option from a visiting Capstone representative, she immediately recognized its promise—not only for allowing her to continue toward her BSN, but also for keeping her family together.

“From then on, I had a new purpose and I was really excited,” she says. “I am the first person in my family to [earn] a college degree. I work full-time, and I have two kids. If it weren’t for the flexibility of online learning, I would not be able to attend school—it’s that simple.” Now stationed in Seoul, she applauds the University faculty and staff for their willingness to accommodate her special needs, such as arranging for clinical work at local facilities and providing her with a laptop to use during her enrollment.

For Mozden, and students like her, it’s hard to overstate the profound impact that UA’s flexible learning opportunities can make—personally, professionally and, ultimately, for the community and the state at large.

“I think the real significance of this is that it makes education accessible to anyone who chooses to do it,” Barger said. “The sky’s the limit.”

For interviews with Dr. Carolyn Dahl contact Melanie Kirk, 205/348-6331 or mkirk@ccs.ua.edu.