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.

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