Nurses continue education online to earn bachelor鈥檚 degree, leadership roles, higher wages
For the first time since the baby直播鈥檚 nursing education program was established in 1974, a cohort of nurses are on their way to earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing from UWA. By adding this offering in addition to the associate鈥檚 degree, UWA is helping address the shortage of qualified nursing leaders through the launch of this program, which is offered online.
Individuals who earn an associate鈥檚 degree in nursing from UWA typically go on to pursue national licensure and, upon completion, become registered nurses (RN). The new RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in nursing) program further equips nurses with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to offer more comprehensive healthcare.
鈥淭here is a core curriculum that RNs will have followed to understand anatomy, physiology, psychology, basic biology鈥攖he ways the healthy human body functions,鈥� explained Dr. Mary Hanks, chair of UWA鈥檚 Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing. 鈥淎dditionally, they learn about pathophysiology, or disease processes, as well as actions we can take to promote, improve, or rehabilitate health. The BSN takes them several steps further.鈥�
The continuation of the curriculum to the BSN adds other critical skills that help nurses adapt to systems that exist within the nursing profession.
鈥淐ritical thinking and reading comprehension are imperative for nurses,鈥� Hanks said. 鈥淯nderstanding and accuracy are critical, as miscomprehension could potentially compromise the health of a patient, whether it鈥檚 doctor鈥檚 orders, patient history, symptoms, even workplace communications.鈥�
Advanced degrees in nursing help both the profession and practitioners.
鈥淔or healthcare, it means we have the opportunity to see more advancements with insight and expertise from nurses. For nurses, it can bring additional career opportunities and significantly higher wages,鈥� Hanks explained.
To help alleviate the costs of education for future nurses, UWA鈥檚 Project EARN鈥擡ducating baby直播 Rural Nurses鈥攑rovides scholarships for up to 35 qualifying nursing students each semester, with $4,000 awarded up to four semesters. The program is funded by a $2.4 million grant from Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to help address a shortage of qualified nurses. Currently, Project EARN is awarded to students entering the ASN program.
The coronavirus pandemic has placed a microscope on healthcare, highlighting both critical care and daily living.
鈥淩N to BSN gives nurses opportunities to explore healthcare more thoroughly in a way that will allow them to address a more broad range of needs鈥攏ot just the immediate needs of individual patients, but the critical needs of their communities as a whole. They can study disparities and inequities, as well as the opportunities and resources to help resolve those,鈥� Hanks said.
Hanks, who transitioned to healthcare education in 2011 after 17 years in the clinical setting, is currently assisting with the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in one of the region鈥檚 most populated hospitals. Because she leads by example, a team of UWA student nurses are assisting in a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Marengo county.
鈥淣urses play a critical role in our society, no matter where they are,鈥� Hanks said. 鈥淭here is a component of nursing that cannot be taught, a compassion for helping people through some of their lives鈥� greatest struggles. To do this, we must acknowledge the risks and know how to provide care safely. We want to equip our nurses to be leaders, and that鈥檚 what RN to BSN will do.鈥�
To learn more about UWA鈥檚 RN to BSN program and scholarship opportunities available, visit UWA Nursing at uwa.edu/academics/divisionofnursing.