The impact of Lasallian higher education in the healthcare profession has taken great strides as institutions continue to upgrade their nursing programs and facilities. Approximately 468 graduates are ready to pursue a career in nursing–one of the world’s most noble professions.
On May 5, Lewis University in Romeoville, IL dedicated a multi-phased addition and renovations to the College of Nursing and Health Professions building on the main campus.
La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA gave out 235 bachelor’s degrees 57 master’s degrees this spring as it launches a new Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program to start in August. It is designed as a post-master’s degree for advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) with national certification. This new program will provide APRNs with opportunities to increase their expertise in areas like ethical decision-making and moral conflict resolution, safety science, and alternative or integrative therapies.
In 2007, La Salle purchased the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network’s Germantown Hospital buildings and property to develop into the University’s West Campus. This expansion provided additional space to enhance education with the relocation of some administrative offices and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, while continuing to provide clinical services.
St. Mary’s University of Minnesota started a Bachelor of Science completion program in nursing in September 2009 as part of the Graduate School of Health and Human Services. The program is for students who currently hold a nursing license and an associate’s degree. St. Mary’s University also offers a surgical technology undergraduate certificate program, which will produce 10 graduates in June. Additionally, it offers a master of science in nurse anesthesia, which will have 25 graduates.
St. Mary’s College of California in Moraga has 17 graduates this spring. The school offers a unique initiative called the 2+2 Pre-Nursing Program. The innovative partnership program with Samuel Merritt College started in 2005. It lets students study science and liberal arts at St. Mary’s College for two years to receive an Associate of Science. From there, the student transfers to Samuel Merritt College in Oakland, California for two years of theory and clinical based curriculum that ends with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The partnership gives students both a liberal arts and nursing education. Before the 2+2 Program, St. Mary’s and Samuel Merritt offered a joint BSN degree, which started in the late 1970’s.
Bethlehem University in the West Bank increased its nursing education in September 2007 when it opened a branch of its Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences program in Qubeibe Emmaus, about 40 minutes from Ramallah. The university established that location as a way to serve students who cannot make the journey to the university because of check points. Qubeibe has a huge demand for nurses, which is why Bethlehem started the program with the intent to expand it. It started with 15 students and currently has 48. In all, 34 nursing students will graduate from Bethlehem in July.