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$9.9 Million Gift Will Double Nursing Program
Addressing a critical shortage of health-care providers, $9.9 million of the historic Windgate gift will be dedicated to nearly doubling the 91老司机 Nursing program.
鈥淭his gift has created a new beginning for Nursing at 91老司机, allowing us to address one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime, access to health care, by educating and training the registered nurses our community and our region so desperately need,鈥� said Dr. Paula Julian, Executive Director of the 91老司机 Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing.
An initial investment of close to $4 million will allow the university to hire 27 additional faculty immediately while expanding and equipping simulation labs. Phase 1 should serve about 200 more students annually in the Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN) programs, which include traditional and accelerated options.
鈥淲e have a distinctive nursing program known across the state as offering a truly exceptional education,鈥� said 91老司机 Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley. 鈥淭he brightest, most dedicated nursing students in the region choose 91老司机 because they know they鈥檙e going to get the best education.
鈥淏ut like other universities, we have difficulty recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty members. Nationally, nursing faculty have been drawn away from academia by high salaries at hospitals and a call to do the important work of caring for patients. So the financial means to recruit and retain devoted educators is critical.
鈥淭his is a gift not just to the 91老司机 - Fort Smith. It reaches beyond the campus to absolutely transform the area.鈥�
With the second phase of the investment, the university proposes adding two degrees, an Associate Degree of Nursing (AND) and an RN-to-BSN pathway. These flexible degree plans can accommodate the diverse nature of students and needs in the River Valley. Area hospitals are eager to recruit nurses with these degrees.
In the two phases, the university will hire 40 additional faculty members and graduate many as 300 additional nurses a year.
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