The University of Memphis nursing program just got bigger.
The Loewenberg School of Nursing has received initial approvalfrom the Tennessee Board of Nursing and approval from the TennesseeBoard of Regents and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission tobegin a master's in nursing program.
The program is being established to address the criticalshortage of nurses in the Memphis area, said Toni Bargagliotti,dean of the Loewenberg School of Nursing.
"There is a 16 percent registered nurse vacancy rate in Memphis,the highest in Tennessee," Bargagliotti said. "We're meeting thatneed with educators, administrators and advanced practicenurses."
Starting in the spring of 2004, the master's program will offerconcentrations in nursing administration, nursing education andadvanced practice nursing.
"There is a major need in the nursing community," said MarjorieLuttrell, associate dean for Academic Programs, "especially sincewe're in a nursing shortage in Memphis."
Since 1998, nursing shortages in Tennessee have almost doubled.Memphis was hit very hard.
In 1998, 5 percent of nursing positions in Tennessee wereunfulfilled. This increased to a little over 8 percent in 1999 and9 percent in 2000. The figures are projected to grow worse into2020.
"We've been looking at the shortage for several years now,"Luttrell said. "One part that this new program helps with is in theshortage of nursing education. Since it's a master's, those whocomplete it can teach in community colleges."
To qualify, one must hold a bachelor of science in nursing, be aregistered nurse with a BA or BS degree in a non-nursing major orbe a non-registered nurse with a BA or BS degree.
Loewenberg School of Nursing began with William A. Loewenberg, aMemphian who was instrumental in the development of St. JosephHospital and served on its board of directors. His childrenestablished a Chair of Excellence in his honor, which he asked tobe endowed in nursing because he believed it would accomplish themost in that area.
Compared to the 2002 national average of 85 percent, 97 percentof the U of M nursing students passed their licensure exam on thefirst try.
"There has also been a large increase in our bachelor programwith 98 applicants this fall," Luttrell said.
Faculty and staff in the school have had positive response tothe new master's program. As of the beginning of October, 65applicants had applied.
"As a faculty member, I am extremely excited about the master'sprogram coming to the school," said Linda Finch, assistantprofessor in the Loewenberg School of Nursing. "We can fill a needin the community as well as the region, and as faculty members, wecan provide an excellence in education for the program."
