|
|
|
|
|
Doris F. Glick, PhD, RN, Pamela A. Kulbok, DNSc, RN, Elizabeth Merwin, PhD, RN, and Bonnie Jerome-D’Emilia, PhD, RN. School of Nursing, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800782, Charlottesville, VA 22908, 434-924-0105, dfg6x@virginia.edu
The University of Virginia is implementing new web-based options for Master’s education in selected specialties. Online options are designed to meet the needs for advanced education for nurses in rural and underserved areas, those who live too far to commute, and those whose work doesn’t allow time for scheduled classes. Specialty options include “Leadership in Community/Public Health and Health Systems Management.” These online options maintain standards for high-quality education that characterize traditional MSN tracks at UVA. Strategies for developing and supporting online options for community/public health nursing will be examined. The curriculum includes preparation for leadership in public/private health care organizations to improve population health outcomes using data-driven, decision-making skills. Implementation strategies emphasize partnerships with community agencies and nurses throughout the state. To this end we have established a Preceptor Advisory Council. This group consists of nurse leaders from health systems, hospitals, community service agencies and public health departments throughout the region who are stakeholders in the project and are willing to serve as preceptors and provide advice regarding program development, implementation, and curriculum content. Additional approaches include workshops for preceptors, students and practicing community health nurses to address challenges confronting public health nursing such as Emergency Preparedness. Coordination with other resources within the University has been established to provide technical support necessary for offering education via distance-learning methodologies. Coordination with the University Libraries provides resources for faculty and students to utilize GIS and the Area Resource Data files. The programs have been supported by a federal (HRSA) grant.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Distance Education
Related Web page: www.nursing.virginia.edu/programs/academic/distance/default.asp
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.