GW School of Nursing Update Winter 2012 Our second year as a school is shaping up to be another strong year of growth and achievement. The School of Nursing (SON) is successfully and diligently implementing its business plan and pursuing strategic opportunities. GW SON is recruiting high quality students, enhancing our research agenda, developing new programs, and recruiting outstanding faculty. We also were recognized this month by US News and World Report as an honor roll school for graduate online education. Following are highlights of recent key GW SON activities and accomplishments, challenges, and our strategic visioning process. Key Facts Ranked in top 50 (top 10%) of nursing schools by US News & World Report Honor Roll rating for graduate online education from US News & World Report 100% nursing license (NCLEX) pass rate More than 500 students a 23% increase from last year Nearly 230 faculty members (28 full-time, 200 part-time and clinical) 72% of full-time faculty are on grant funded projects Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Undergraduate (BSN), graduate (MSN), doctoral (DNP), and certificate programs State of the art skills and simulation center Two campuses: Virginia Science & Technology (VSTC) and Foggy Bottom Focus on inter-professional education, practice, and research Host of the Nursing Alliance for Quality Care, a national enterprise funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ACADEMICS Doctoral program responds to national and local healthcare needs In response to national and local healthcare needs, the GW SON is developing three new specialty tracks in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program: Palliative care track will address the increasing need for this nursing expertise due to the aging of the American population, increasing number of individuals with multiple chronic illnesses, and improved treatments for major illnesses and traumatic injuries all of which are increasing the longevity and complexity of care for these individuals and families. Health care quality track will focus on quality and patient safety leadership, management, and research. This responds to the expanding need for this nursing expertise in order to grow and sustain cultures of continuous improvement in health care organizations. Advanced family nurse practitioner track will respond to the escalating primary care needs of patients, families, and communities. 1
New program targets nurses in rural and underserved communities Work on the new associate degree (AD) to master degree in nursing (MSN) program continues and the first class will be enrolled in fall 2012. This program targets entry-level nurses in rural and underserved communities. Most of these nurses were educated in community colleges and received an associate degree. This program will prepare them to be nurse practitioners a role with greater clinical breadth and responsibility. SON is partnering with Dabney S. Lancaster Community College to create a cohort initiative to help meet the healthcare needs of that region s rural and underserved communities. Also, the SON is working with the Virginia Office of Rural Health, Virginia Rural Health Association, and the Virginia Telehealth Network. New Leadership & Management and Midwifery programs in development Two new AD- MSN programs are in the early stages of development. A Nurse Leadership and Management program is in process, with an emphasis on a potential BSN jump off place; and a Nurse-Midwifery degree will be offered through a collaboration with Shenandoah University Division of Nursing. Nearly 30% increase in MSN programs In fall 2011, enrollment in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs increased by nearly 30% in fall particularly I the adult and family nurse practitioner programs. Second BSN class graduates Our second BSN class completed their program in December and we had an elegant pinning ceremony. This is a longstanding tradition in the nursing profession during which new nurses take the Florence Nightingale pledge and receive a special pin from their school. These graduates will take the licensing exam in February. Doubled BSN enrollment Student enrollment in the accelerated second degree BSN program doubled in fall 2011, with more than 70 students admitted. In fall 2013, we will again increase the class by having fall and spring admissions cycles. Increasing competition for clinical site placements As the SON expands its BSN program, as presented in the business plan, increasing the number of clinical site placements for our students is a challenge. GW SON has well-established relationships and agreements with many clinical sites. However, few new clinical sites are being added in the greater metropolitan area, and there is 2
increased competition for the limited new sites due to the growing number of for-profit nursing degree programs (e.g. Phoenix, Strayer, Chamberlain, etc.) in the area. Second Clinical Skills and Simulation Center opens this spring A second 3,300 SF skills and simulation center is in design and will open this spring at the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus. This new GW SON facility will expand pediatrics simulation, add a gerontology studio apartment to teach student nurses how to better provide home care, and provide an additional ten patient beds and simulation mannequins. Also, the new center will house a health and wellness space to be utilized for future community service and health screening programs. The new facility is being built to support the increasing enrollment and next year s spring enrollment in the BSN program. STUDENTS More than 500 students now enrolled More than 500 students are now enrolled at the GW SON, and our student body includes on-campus and distance learners. Across our full array of programs, the enrollment distribution is: 22% in BSN program 52% in MSN programs 18% in DNP program 8% in Certificate programs GW SON is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we have expanding diversity among our student body. Currently, 35% of students are from racially and ethnically underrepresented minorities and 12% of DNP students are male. Students continue to volunteer in the community Our students continue to volunteer in the community. So far this academic year, BSN students participated in a health fair at the Loudoun Free Clinic. BSN students made a second trip to aid in the tornado relief in Gloucester County, VA; collected clothing and school supplies for Gloucester County youth; and, donated toothbrushes and toothpaste for homeless children in Loudoun County. FACULTY Recruiting outstanding faculty The most important resource for our academic programs is the faculty. GW was ranked 1 st out of 39 schools for faculty credentials and training, as part of the 3
US News & World Report honor roll rating for graduate online nursing education. To support the continuing expansion plan presented in the GW SON business plan, we continue to recruit new outstanding faculty. Six new fulltime faculty members joined the SON this academic year. Faculty recruitment is a national challenge for nurses schools As are all nursing schools across the country, the SON faces challenges in faculty recruitment. Critical issues facing nursing schools are the limited pool of doctorally prepared faculty and finding faculty with the right specialty mix, as reported by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Another national challenge is limited diversity within the small pool of doctorally prepared nurses. RESEARCH Aggressively pursing new research opportunities Expanding research is a primary initiative for the SON. Recently, GW SON received a $655,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for our Teaching and Informing through Technology (T 3 ) project addressing nursing education, practice, and retention. 72% of full-time faculty on grant funded research The SON now has 28 full-time faculty, 72% of whom are involved in grant funded research. This demonstrates the faculty commitment to research. Students actively engaged in research Educating students about how to conduct research and engaging students in research activities are key components of all SON nursing programs. In December, the BSN students completed their capstone research projects. STRATEGIC VISIONING All faculty retreat The SON conducted an all faculty retreat and utilized a collective, sharing process to encourage and obtain faculty input about the future of the school. The faculty offered a range of creative ideas. We had important conversations and discussed myriad opportunities. The information from this retreat is helpful as we think about the future of the SON and develop our strategic vision and plan. 4
Participating in University strategic planning process The SON is participating in the University strategic planning process. As the SON develops its strategic plan, it will be aligned with the priorities and key initiatives of the University. DEVELOPMENT 82% attainment of development goal The SON has already attained 82% of its fiscal year development goal, thanks to the generosity of many people. To date, more than $800,000 has been received. This is a major increase compared to last year during which $26,000 was raised. Elbert A. Kaplan Memorial Library Fund During an intimate donor family reception to celebrate the establishment of the Elbert A. Kaplan Memorial Library fund, a portrait of Mr. Kaplan was installed in the SON Dean s Council conference room at the Virginia Science and Technology Campus. This generous gift was given by his daughter, Robin Shulman. Mrs. Shulman is a nurse and was first major donor to the new School of Nursing. This memorial fund celebrates Mr. Kaplan s accomplishments and love of learning and family, and underwrites the cost of library resources for students pursing a BSN degree. Frances M. Weiss Memorial Endowment and the Annetta T. Weiss Endowed Scholarship Frances Marie Weiss (1885-1978) trained as a nurse and practiced in rural western Iowa. A loving memorial endowment in her name was established through a generous six figure gift from her niece, Annetta Weiss. Ms. Weiss, an alumna of the university, gave a second major six figure gift to establish an endowed scholarship in her name as well. A special luncheon was held to celebrate the establishment of these two important endowments the first endowed gifts given to the new SON. Provost Steven Lerman and Ms. Lori J. Lerman support the SON mission Thoughtful and generous gifts were received from Provost Steven Lerman and Ms. Lori J. Lerman. Their gifts support the mission of the SON and help the school achieve its innovative academic and research activities. 5
Thank you to the many others who have supported the SON The many individual gifts received by the SON are appreciated and help support the important academic, research, and service work of the SON. Thank you to the following individuals gave thoughtful gifts to the SON during the last six months. Mrs. Mary Frances Arthur Ms. Dawn M. Baker Ms. Beth Baynes Ms. Susan Bodin Ms. Erin Bowers Mrs. Joan T. Burcell Col. Norman S. Burzynski, USAF Ret. Ms. Isabel Maria de Alemida Couto Mr. Richard Laurence Creech Dr. Ellen M. Dawson Mrs. Mercedes M. Dickson Mr. Robert M. Doule Ms. Barbara L. Ennis Dr. Joyce A. Hahn Ms. Ronna L. Halbgewachs Ms. Awilda V. Holland Ms. Regina Judith Hymer Ms. Barbara S. Jacobs Dr. Jean E. Johnson Ms. Marlene A. Lee Ms. Margaret Jeanne Lloyd Ms. Joan A. Maher Dr. Mary C. Olson Dr. L. Gregory Pawlson Dr. Laurie H. Posey Ms. Jane E. Raymond Dr. Scheherazade S. Rehman Ms. Lynn Rozental Mrs. Betty Rubenstein Dr. James H. Rubenstein Mrs. Richard Silas Ms. Barbara Smith Ms. Cheryl Lynne Spangler Ms. Wendy Bayles Spellun Dr. Jacob E. Swenson Dr. Dorothy J. Wholihan Ms. Gladys Collete Wiggns Dr. Stephanie K. Wright Capt. Grant C. Young, USN Ret. REPUTATION Ranked in top 50 nursing schools by US News & World Report GW SON is in the top 50 of 465 ranked nursing schools, out of a total of the more than 730 schools offering undergraduate and/or graduate degree programs. This puts the GW SON in just about the top 10% of ranked schools and in the top 7% of all schools. Honor Roll of graduate online education by US News & World Report The SON was recently recognized as an honor roll school for graduate education in nursing. Only five schools of nursing received this recognition. GW ranked 1 st out of 39 schools for faculty credentials and training. We also ranked 6 out of 82 schools for teaching practices and student engagement, 5 out of 27 for selectivity, and 17 out of 79 for student services and technology. This ranking recognizes the outstanding teaching efforts of GW SON faculty and creativity in online learning. Host of the Nursing Alliance for Quality Care (NAQC) The Nursing Alliance for Quality Care (NAQC), hosted by the GW SON, is a bold partnership among the nation s leading nursing organizations to advance the 6
highest quality, safety, and value of consumer-centered health care for all individuals: patients, their families and their communities. NAQC is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) funded program that aims to strengthen the nursing profession s ability to influence transparency, accountability, and quality-related health reform agendas while activating nurses in significant and sustained policy settings. Actions focus on strengthening the visibility of nursing in performance measurement and public reporting activities, serving as a vital resource to federal partners in stimulating policy reform, and building nursing s capacity to serve in leadership roles that advance consumer-centered, high quality health care. Host of The National Collaborative on Aging The National Collaborative on Aging is an interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, educators, and researchers at The George Washington University and community-based professionals in the National Capital Region and beyond. It is a creative catalyst for open collaboration on issues of global significance in health and aging. Participation in Regional Health Equity Council Dr. Kimberly Acquaviva, GW SON assistant professor, serves on a Regional Health Equity Council which established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health to address health equity and help close the gap for racial, ethnic, and underserved communities. Hosted a nursing and public health polling update presentation The SON hosted a special nursing and public health polling update and breakfast. The featured speakers were John Marttila, President of Marttila Strategies, and nurse Pat Ford Roegner, Senior Health Policy Director at Amplify Public Affairs. They presented findings from a national survey focused on the issues surrounding health care reform as well other major health-related issues, followed by an open forum discussion. A video of the event is on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx-z8vr3i7e ACCREDITATION Fully reaccredited by DC Board of Nursing in January For accreditation renewal by the District of Columbia Board of Nursing, a SON self-evaluation report was submitted in December. The DC Board of Nursing notified the SON in January that full reaccreditation was awarded to the school. Preapproved accreditation by VA Board of Nursing, first site visit in April When the SON began offering the BSN program at the Virginia Science and Technology campus, the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Nursing awarded the SON preapproved accreditation. The VA Board of Nursing will conduct its first site visit in April. 7
Fully accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education The SON is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the academic accrediting body for nursing educational programs. In 2010, the CCNE accredited all of the programs in the then new SON. The CCNE has a five-year accreditation cycle. PARTNERS By working with partners in Virginia and beyond, the GW SON is improving the health of the community by educating exceptional nurses. We have many regional and national partnerships, including: Children s National Medical Center: Clinical site Dabney S. Lancaster Community College: New AND to MSN Program George Mason University: Adult and Family Nurse Practitioner Programs GW Hospital (Universal Health Systems): Clinical site HCA Health System: Clinical site INOVA Health System: Clinical sites National Committee for Quality Assurance: Health Care Quality program Nursing Alliance for Quality Care: Host of this national enterprise Shenandoah University: Nurse Midwifery Program 8