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News from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Nurses
Can Earn Higher Degrees in New
"Fast-track" Program
MARCH
18, 2003 | The University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences (UAMS) and the University
of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) are
joining forces with the Little Rock
Workforce Investment Board to address the
state’s critical shortage of nursing
care with an innovative $3 million
intensive training program to find and
train new nurses.
Hospitals nationally are reporting nursing
vacancy rates exceeding 50 percent in some
units, causing emergency rooms to divert
ambulances, and forcing delays in elective
surgery.
UAMS announced the fast-track training
program today at the official opening of
the Little Rock Workforce Investment Board
offices at University Mall in Little Rock.
"The impact of the nursing shortage
in Arkansas reflects a national problem,
but we in Arkansas are doing something
about it," Dean Linda Hodges, Ed.D.,
of the UAMS College
of Nursing, said. "This project
to prepare under-employed LPNs and RNs for
increased career ladder mobility and to
prepare 65 displaced and under-employed
workers in other fields for careers as
nurses is a win for UAMS, for UALR, for
Workforce Development, but mostly it’s a
win for Arkansas."
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"This innovative collaboration will
focus a three-front response to the critical shortage of nursing personnel in
Arkansas while opening career opportunities for more Arkansas workers,"
said Eric Herget, chairman of the investment board.
With the grant, the Arkansas Nursing Reinvestment Program
will provide tuition-free fast-track career advancement for 75 under-employed
LPNs and RNs allowing them to advance their training in a rapid yearlong
intensive program. The program also will recruit 140 displaced or
under-employed workers and train them for beginning nursing jobs. It also will
offer the possibility of nursing careers for Saline County residents by
offering UALR nursing courses at the Benton Center.
"Not only will this grant help us tackle the nursing
shortage in 16 counties in Arkansas, but it will open the possibility of
nursing careers for people who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to
pursue the profession," Dr. Ann Schlumberger, chair of the UALR Department
of Nursing, said. Her department, UALR’s 2001 Department of Excellence
winner, recently was recognized by the National League of Nursing Accrediting
Commission as a model for nursing excellence.
"For many years, our department has maintained a list of qualified
applicants we have been unable to accept due to limited faculty. This grant
will enable us to hire two additional faculty for Fall 2003 and therefore
increase the number of students we accept into both our traditional
four-semester program and our three semester LPN-to-RN program."
Dr. Schlumberger noted that up to 98 percent of the UALR nursing graduates
remain in Arkansas and practice in Arkansas.
Links on This Page
College of Nursing: http://nursing.uams.edu/
UAMS Nursing Dean: http://www.uams.edu/today/2002/020702/nursing.htm
Federal Nursing Legislation: http://www.uams.edu/today/2002/012402/hutchinson.htm
CON Applies: http://www.uams.edu/info/Updates/November01/hartford.htm
UAMS,
UALR Announce: http://www.uams.edu/today/2003/032003/collaboration.htm
© 2003 University of Arkansas
for Medical Sciences (UAMS). A single copy of these materials
may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "UAMS,"
"UAMS Online," "UAMS Today," "UAMS
Update," "uams.edu," and "Here’s to Your
Health" are marks of UAMS.
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03/18/03 |
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