Wednesday, December 23, 2009

End of Year Closure

The USF School of Nursing will be closed in accordance with University policy from December 24, 2009, to January 3, 2010. The Dean's Office will re-open on January 4, 2010, and faculty will be available starting January 20, 2010. Classes will resume on January 25, 2010.

Happy Holidays to all!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Congratulations Graduates!

Today the School of Nursing confers 47 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, 44 Master of Science in Nursing degrees, and 4 Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees.

We are very proud of our graduates, and we are full of confidence that they will promote quality, equity, and compassion in healthcare, and will serve as moral compasses for Bay Area, California, and national health professions!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Pinning Ceremony for SON Graduates on December 17

To celebrate the completion of their studies, SON Graduates will have a pinning ceremony on December 17, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. in the McLaren Complex. Family and friends are invited to attend this special event to celebrate our students' accomplishments.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Answer is the USF School of Nursing, #4

Who has developed and is hosting simulation training workshops for San Francisco RNs and MDs?

The USF School of Nursing, reflecting a long-standing partnership with the Nursing Education department at St. Mary's Hospital, is conducting an ER-OB Simulation Workshop with employees from the St. Mary's Emergency Room at our state-of-art simulation center, located on Hayes Street. The emergency OB simulation scenarios, run by LRC Coordinator Lisa Sabatini, are planned to help the nurses at St. Mary's refresh their knowledge and skills for emergency room births.

Next week MD interns will be participating in med-surg simulations.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Final Healthcare Systems Leadership MEO cohort set to graduate

The final cohort of the USF Master's Entry Option in Healthcare Systems Leadership program will graduate in December, 2009.

There are 27 students in this cohort who have been implementing and facilitating projects in a wide variety of health care settings across the Bay Area. They will be presenting posters depicting their final practicum project results on Monday, December 7, 2009, at 4:00 pm in the School of Nursing Dean's Office on the first floor of Cowell Hall.

The USF MEO Healthcare Systems Leadership program has graduated over 250 new nurse leaders into the Bay Area workforce since its inception in 1999.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

The School of Nursing wishes a wonderful Thanksgiving to our colleagues, friends, and family. We are thankful for all of the gifts that we receive in our collaborations with each and every one of you!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Post-Master's CNL Certification Now Offered

The USF School of Nursing is offering a certificate program in the CNL role for RNs possessing a Master's Degree in Nursing. Graduates must meet the CNL competencies as outlined by the Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and will be eligible to sit for the CNL certification exam. Upon review of a student's MSN transcript, a program of study is tailor-made for the student; only those courses that are linked to the CNL competencies are required.


Required Courses for Certificate
NURS 613 Introduction to the CNL Role
NURS 614 Healthcare Systems Leadership
NURS 623 CNL Role: Team Manager & Leader
NURS 628 CNL Role: Decision Making
*(100 hours of CNL role implementation required with the above role courses)
NURS 651 CNL Role: Role Synthesis
NURS 653 RN-CNL Internship (300 hours)


APPLY NOW FOR SPRING 2010
Please call USF School of Nursing for Application Instructions
415-422-2806
msmcdrew@usfca.edu
http://www.usfca.edu/nursing

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Answer is the USF School of Nursing, #3!

The new Chief Nurse for the United States Public Health Service is an alumna of which school of nursing?

That's right -- it's USF!

RADM Kerry Paige Nesseler was selected as the Chief Professional Officer for the Nurse Category effective 1 November 2009. As Chief Nurse Officer for the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), RADM Nesseler is responsible for providing leadership and coordination of the Public Health Service (PHS) nursing professional affairs for the Office of the Surgeon General and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). RADM Nesseler will provide guidance and advice to the Surgeon General, the Nurse Professional Advisory Committee (N-PAC), and the Nation’s nursing community on matters such as prevention, primary care, health systems development, recruitment, retention, readiness and career development of PHS nurses.

RADM Kerry Nesseler received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1978 from the University of San Francisco and her Master of Science degree in Nursing in 1985 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Maryland, School of Nursing. RADM Nesseler completed the Public Health Service Primary Care Policy Fellowship in 1996, graduated from the Excellence in Government Fellows Program in 2001, and was inducted as an Honorary Alumna in the National Health Service Corps in 2004. She has held appointments in academia as an adjunct professor and instructor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Kapiolani Community College.

RADM Nesseler’s nursing career reflects experience in varied positions, agencies, geographical locations, and types of health venues from service in hospitals, clinics, and community health to policy positions and academic posts. RADM Nesseler began her Commissioned Corps career in 1986 as a Maternal and Child Health Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation in Cloquet, Minnesota. In addition to her service for the Indian Health Service (IHS), she has held positions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and most recently at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). She began serving in HRSA as a project officer in the Bureau of Primary Health Care, Atlanta Regional Office and then in the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) at headquarters. In MCHB she was the Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs where she was instrumental in the development of the Title V Information System. In 2002, she was appointed as the first woman and first nurse to lead the HRSA Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr) as the Associate Administrator.

In this capacity she provided leadership for the education and training of the Nation’s primary care providers and managed the health professions workforce programs, including the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Program, the National Health Service Corps, and the Ready Responder Program. During her tenure as the Associate Administrator for BHPr, the national nursing education program funding was increased two fold and the Nurse Reinvestment Act was passed by Congress. RADM Nesseler has participated in the World Health Organization’s Global Advisory Group on Nursing and Midwifery for six years, representing the US, HHS, and HRSA. She has served on special assignments in Marshall Islands, Micronesia; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; Libya; and New Orleans, Louisiana. Her deployment role assignment is Senior Health Official for national emergencies in Region IX and the Pacific Basin.

In 2006 she was appointed as the Director of the HRSA Office of International Health and Commissioned Corps Affairs. She serves as the principal advisor and consultant to the HRSA Administrator on international policies, health systems, and programs to increase the health status of the population worldwide. She also directs the agency’s policy development and implementation of Commissioned Corps initiatives.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Graduate Admissions Review for Spring 2010 is Underway

The USF School of Nursing received 224 applications to graduate programs for Spring 2010, including on-campus DNP and CNL programs, and regional CNL programs at the San Ramon, Cupertino, and Santa Rosa campuses.

Review committee members are hard at work evaluating files, and we expect that decision letters will reach the applicants on or close to November 15.

The SON admits 35-40% of applicants to graduate programs in a typical year.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Fall Fest 2009




The Inaugural Decade Reunion for School of Nursing Alumni:

In addition to soccer, volleyball, and basketball games, campus tours, a 5K fun run/walk, and much, much, more for alumni, families, and friends, the committee is planning events for the School of Nursing Classes of 1960–1969, as part of Fall Fest 2009.

Friday, November 6th
5:30-7:30 pm Reception for Alumni and Guests
Gather in Kalmanowitz (formerly Campion) Hall for no-host cocktails and hors d’oeuvres…mingle with alumni, faculty, and staff…then plan an evening in San Francisco if you like.
Cost: $20 per person

Saturday, November 7th
10:00 am Mass
Followed by brunch for all SON alumni of the ’60s
Cost: $40 per person


2:00 – 3:30 pm: Miniversities followed by a dessert/meet-the-deans gathering in Fromm Hall

Gather to meet the deans and faculty of your school/college. Have a mini lesson on current hot topics and enjoy some refreshments.
School of Nursing: The deans and faculty plan to feature two Clinical Simulation sessions at the labs.
Arts & Sciences: Jeffrey Paris, Philosophy and Chris Thompson, Exercise and Sport Science will highlight new and exciting facts.
Business and Professional Studies: Moira A.Gunn on speaks on biotech; Rich Puntillo and Dan Blakely on the credit crisis.
No charge for this event, RSVP requested.

School of Nursing 1960’s Reunion Committee
Mary Anne Bailey Anderson ’66
Deci Deck Dugan ’66
JoAnne de la Torre Cahill ’66
Georgeanne Feroah Hulbert ’67
Linda Hodgskiss Loftesness ’69
Joanne B. Martin ‘66
Kathe McDonnell Farrell ’62
Janet Nemechek Saalfeld ‘65
Marcie Noltner Leach ’65
Maureen O’Hara ‘72
Terry O’Keeffe Kelly ’67
Veronica Pack Feehan ‘69
Lisa Sabatini ‘83

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Fulbright Takes SON Professor to Lebanon

Walking through the streets of Beirut, Lebanon Judith Lambton, associate professor of nursing at the University of San Francisco, passed glimmering skyscrapers next to hollow edifices pocked by rocket-propelled grenades, a testament to the country’s violent history. On a nearby street corner a girl in a hajib pedaled her Barbie bicycle. Surveying the menu at McDonald’s, her eyes settled on the McArabia Meal.

Read the full article here.

Friday, October 23, 2009

DNP Program Open House Tonight

The University of San Francisco School of Nursing invites you to attend a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) open house and mock class. The event begins at 4 pm with an introduction to the program followed by a buffet dinner and wine. From 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, Dr. Susan Prion will teach a DNP level course titled, "Applied Data Analysis" for all guests. The class is meant to serve as a short example of a DNP class at USF and provide an arena for your questions and concerns regarding the program. The event will end at 7 pm for non-students while present students will have a break before continuing with class until 9:45 pm. The entire evening is free of charge and we invite you to bring friends or colleagues who are interested in Advanced Practice Roles at the doctoral level. Please RSVP to 415-422-2806.

This event is for DNP alumni, present students, prospective students, and any friends or associates who are interested in obtaining a DNP degree.

Monday, October 19, 2009

This Week in the Skills Lab....

This week in the SON Skills Lab, Sophomore 2s have just completed the Risk and Harm Reduction Clinical Simulation. They currently are practicing injections and Foleys.

Junior 1 students have just taken their first mid-term skills evaluation. All students had to perform skills in the lab as part of their midterm grade for their course on Principles and Methods of Practice.

Junior 2 students are busy taking care of 3 patients in simulation, practicing medication and central lines.

All in all, over 200 students completed check-offs this week.

Monday, October 12, 2009

The Answer is the USF School of Nursing, #2!

Which Bay Area Nursing School's faculty members received a Fulbright award, an appointment as a National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education Fellow, and a Jesuit Foundation Grant to study Social Justice and Community Health in Kenya in 2008-09?

That's right, three USF SON faculty members were honored for their academic and community efforts this past year. Dr. Judith Lambton was awarded a Fulbright Award to work as a nursing education consultant in Lebanon, while Dr. Angela Banks organized efforts focusing on women and Children in the Kagaa Village of Kenya. Dr. Gregory DeBourgh was named an NLN Academy of Nursing Education Fellow (ANEF), one of just 65 selected for the honor nationwide.

Yes, we're proud of our faculty!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

SON DNP Program Hosts Accreditation Visit

Last week our Doctor of Nursing Practice program, the first such program in California, hosted an accreditation visit from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Faculty and staff came together to prepare a report and supporting documentation demonstrating the program's excellence in terms of four different standards of measure: Mission and Governance, Institutional Commitment and Resources, Curriculum and Teaching-Learning Practices, and Aggregate Student Performance and Faculty Outcomes.

Across these four standards, and their 25 sub-standards, the Commission's visitors found that we had complied in all areas! Kudos go to all who participated in this effort!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Bay Area CNL Program Graduates Reach 100-mark

This month, The USF School of Nursing will graduate 19 more Clinical Nurse Leaders into the Bay Area Nursing workforce, bringing the number of local Clinical Nurse Leaders to 118!

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a new role developed in response to the Institute of Medicine's 2000 Report, "To Err is Human." The CNL oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care in complex situations. This clinician puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery. The CNL collects and evaluates patient outcomes, assesses cohort risk, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary. This clinician functions as part of an interdisciplinary team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly with other health care professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Is it Worth it to Go To Grad School?

Is it worth the money spent on tuition to get a graduate degree?

First, calculate how much it will cost to attend the program of your choice. For example, the BSN-MSN program at USF will cost approximately $30,000 in tuition.



Then, calculate the difference between your current salary and the salary that you would make as a nurse with a Master's degree. How does that difference compare with the cost of your tuition investment?

For example, monster.com lists starting salary for RNs with master's degree as $10,000 above starting salaries for RNs with Bachelor's degrees. In this scenario, a $30,000 investment in tuition would pay for itself in 3 years.

In addition USF's post-licensure programs in Nursing are designed for working professionals so you don't have to calculate lost wages as part of the equation -- you can continue to work full time.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Our Very Own Hometown Hero - Dr. De Natale

Hometown Heroes 2009

Recognition Breakfast Event
7:15 am - 9:00 am
Friday, September 11, 2009
A National Day of Service and Remembrance


HONORING
Dr. Mary Lou De Natale
Advocate and Coordinator for
USF geriatric nursing and student nursing intern program at CSA for over ten years

WHO: “Hometown Heroes” is our annual celebration of community service and philanthropic contributions that recognizes individuals and businesses in our community that have had an impact for the better on our community during the previous year. We celebrate their compassion and commitment to our community and highlight the difference they made right here at home.

WHY: We wish that poverty, hunger, homelessness, and aging issues weren’t with us, but they are. “Hometown Heroes” shines the spotlight on the basic needs of so many in our community and on our safety-net programs and services that benefit them. Last year more than 3,500 individuals were helped through our programs supported with the generosity of the community.

Mark your calendars for Friday Morning, September 11, 2009, which has also been designated a National Day of Service and Remembrance by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Coffee and registration at 7:15am; breakfast and program at 7:30am: back to work at 9:00am.

WHERE: Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel, 4290 El Camino Real, in Palo Alto.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

SON Pilots 50% Simulation Program for CA

The University of San Francisco’s School of Nursing is piloting the first program in California to substitute 50 percent of students’ pediatric and obstetrics clinical hours with time in the simulation lab.

After having success with a 25 percent substitution—the maximum currently allowed by law—the school received the go-ahead from the Board of Registered Nursing to increase the lab time to half last fall. The board will evaluate the pilot program.

Read the full article.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The Vietnam Nurse Project

The University of San Francisco School of Nursing has established a partnership with the prestigious Bach Mai Nursing School in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Known as the Vietnam Nurse Project, the partnership has three primary goals, including promoting cultural sensitivity and awareness of the health care needs of Vietnamese patients, both in Vietnam and the Bay Area, which has a sizeable Vietnamese population. The program also aims to revise the curriculum at Bach Mai to reflect contemporary nursing care standards, particularly in the areas of maternal and neonatal health care, and provide assistance in using instructional methods that promote student engagement and interaction.

Read the full article here...

Friday, August 7, 2009

Record Year for Nursing Applications

Applications to USF's Graduate School of Nursing are up 56% this year over last year, while undergraduate admissions is showing almost a 10% increase.

Although job markets have softened this past year, the nursing shortage remains critical over the long term. Our applicant pools grow stronger each year as more and more students express an interest in the advancement of nursing education, a development which reflects the increasing complexity of the healthcare system.

Master's-prepared nurses can be key players in the shift toward evidence-based practice which is characteristic of the Magnet Journey, or preparation toward seeking Magnet status awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to hospitals that demonstrate excellence in nursing services and patient outcomes.

USF students are prepared from day one to skilled and sophisticated consumers of research, and are encouraged by our faculty to explore concrete ways to implement findings in their daily practice.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

The Answer is the USF School of Nursing!

What Bay Area School has had a combined BSN and MSN NCLEX passing rate of over 90% for 7 years running?

That's right, students from USF are exceptionally well-prepared to take this challenging examination, which is a computer-adaptive examination offering students increasingly challenging and more complex questions in order to fully test not only their knowledge of nursing skills and practices, but their ability to synthesize information and apply concepts to practice in a time-sensitive environment.

View the NCLEX passing rates of California Schools at the website of the Board of Registered Nursing.

Yes, we're proud of our students!

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