Access to Excellence - College of Health and Public Affairs ...

Excellence in AcademicsNancy Ahern(see photo), a faculty member at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Fla.,transferred from another distance-learningprogram to UCF. “I chose UCF becauseI wanted to complete a doctoral degreeand I found it exciting to be a part ofhistory, and to be part of the first cohortof students,” she said. Ahern’s goal is tofurther her expertise in clinical researchand teach at the university level.Jan Engel(see photo), a programmer/analyst atOrlando Regional Healthcare System,completed the UCF Master of Sciencein Nursing (M.S.N.) program in Augustand immediately began the doctoralprogram. “I chose this doctoral programspecifically for the innovative technologyfocus,” she said. “I am fascinated by thepotential to use simulation and immersionas an educational tool that could augmentpractical application both at universityand hospital levels. I also have a burningdesire to facilitate the computer literacy ofstudents and clinical staff by offering theopportunities to learn and apply computerknowledge as part of the everydaywork flow.”Photo:The inaugural class of doctoral studentson the fi rst day of the new academic program.Seated (left to right): Randall Johnson, NancyAhern, Patricia Anzalone, Laura Gonzalez and EricaCox. Standing (left to right): Patricia Weinstein,Jan Engel, Allison Edmonds, Tracey King, collegeDean Belinda McCarthy, Associate Professor JeanKijek, student and Adjunct Instructor Kelly Allred,Professor Angeline Bushy, Associate Professor E.J.Brown, Professor Karen Dow, Professor Mary LouSole, Director and Professor Jean Leuner, studentand Instructor Victoria Loerzel, Associate ProfessorJacqueline Byers and Professor Karen Dennis.School Launches DoctoralProgram in NursingThe School of Nursing launched a doctoralprogram in nursing in August 2003. Theprogram, which awards a Ph.D. in nursing,is considered key to solving Florida’s currentshortage of nurses and nurse educators.Many nursing faculty positions remain unÞ lledbecause there are not enough qualiÞ edapplicants. The shortage will become evenworse as nursing faculty members retire fromteaching. It is estimated that 25 percent ofnursing faculty members will retire inthe next three years.UCF’s doctoral program will prepare graduatesfor careers in teaching, as well as in researchand executive administration positions.The Florida Board of Governors approved theuniversity’s proposal in late April, thus creatingthe state’s Þ fth doctoral program in theÞ eld. The new program is designed to meetthe needs of individuals who are working.Approximately half of the course material willbe delivered online — an approach that is welldeveloped at UCF. Currently, students aremeeting every other week for classes, withthe remainder of content offered online.Areas of study include care of vulnerablepopulations, use of innovative technology inhealth care and nursing education and healthcaresystems and policy. Students select atopic in one of these areas fordissertation research.The program consists of 57 credits beyondthe master’s degree in nursing. Students cancomplete the program, including a dissertation,in three years of full-time study or fouryears of part-time study.Eleven students were admitted to the inauguralclass. Students from throughout Florida areenrolled in the program. Areas representedinclude Orlando (four students), Tampa(three students), Naples (two students), FortPierce and New Smyrna Beach. The nextclass begins in the fall semester of 2004.Applications are now being accepted.64