Access to Excellence - College of Health and Public Affairs ...
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Access to Excellence - College of Health and Public Affairs ...
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<strong>Excellence</strong> in AcademicsNancy Ahern(see pho<strong>to</strong>), a faculty member at Bethune-Cookman <strong>College</strong> in Day<strong>to</strong>na Beach, Fla.,transferred from another distance-learningprogram <strong>to</strong> UCF. “I chose UCF becauseI wanted <strong>to</strong> complete a doc<strong>to</strong>ral degree<strong>and</strong> I found it exciting <strong>to</strong> be a part <strong>of</strong>his<strong>to</strong>ry, <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> be part <strong>of</strong> the first cohor<strong>to</strong>f students,” she said. Ahern’s goal is <strong>to</strong>further her expertise in clinical research<strong>and</strong> teach at the university level.Jan Engel(see pho<strong>to</strong>), a programmer/analyst atOrl<strong>and</strong>o Regional <strong>Health</strong>care System,completed the UCF Master <strong>of</strong> Sciencein Nursing (M.S.N.) program in August<strong>and</strong> immediately began the doc<strong>to</strong>ralprogram. “I chose this doc<strong>to</strong>ral programspecifically for the innovative technologyfocus,” she said. “I am fascinated by thepotential <strong>to</strong> use simulation <strong>and</strong> immersionas an educational <strong>to</strong>ol that could augmentpractical application both at university<strong>and</strong> hospital levels. I also have a burningdesire <strong>to</strong> facilitate the computer literacy <strong>of</strong>students <strong>and</strong> clinical staff by <strong>of</strong>fering theopportunities <strong>to</strong> learn <strong>and</strong> apply computerknowledge as part <strong>of</strong> the everydaywork flow.”Pho<strong>to</strong>:The inaugural class <strong>of</strong> doc<strong>to</strong>ral studentson the fi rst day <strong>of</strong> the new academic program.Seated (left <strong>to</strong> right): R<strong>and</strong>all Johnson, NancyAhern, Patricia Anzalone, Laura Gonzalez <strong>and</strong> EricaCox. St<strong>and</strong>ing (left <strong>to</strong> right): Patricia Weinstein,Jan Engel, Allison Edmonds, Tracey King, collegeDean Belinda McCarthy, Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor JeanKijek, student <strong>and</strong> Adjunct Instruc<strong>to</strong>r Kelly Allred,Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Angeline Bushy, Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor E.J.Brown, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Karen Dow, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Mary LouSole, Direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Jean Leuner, student<strong>and</strong> Instruc<strong>to</strong>r Vic<strong>to</strong>ria Loerzel, Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essorJacqueline Byers <strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Karen Dennis.School Launches Doc<strong>to</strong>ralProgram in NursingThe School <strong>of</strong> Nursing launched a doc<strong>to</strong>ralprogram in nursing in August 2003. Theprogram, which awards a Ph.D. in nursing,is considered key <strong>to</strong> solving Florida’s currentshortage <strong>of</strong> nurses <strong>and</strong> nurse educa<strong>to</strong>rs.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 <strong>of</strong>nursing faculty members will retire inthe next three years.UCF’s doc<strong>to</strong>ral program will prepare graduatesfor careers in teaching, as well as in research<strong>and</strong> executive administration positions.The Florida Board <strong>of</strong> Governors approved theuniversity’s proposal in late April, thus creatingthe state’s Þ fth doc<strong>to</strong>ral program in theÞ eld. The new program is designed <strong>to</strong> meetthe needs <strong>of</strong> individuals who are working.Approximately half <strong>of</strong> the course material willbe delivered online — an approach that is welldeveloped at UCF. Currently, students aremeeting every other week for classes, withthe remainder <strong>of</strong> content <strong>of</strong>fered online.Areas <strong>of</strong> study include care <strong>of</strong> vulnerablepopulations, use <strong>of</strong> innovative technology inhealth care <strong>and</strong> nursing education <strong>and</strong> healthcaresystems <strong>and</strong> policy. Students select a<strong>to</strong>pic in one <strong>of</strong> these areas fordissertation research.The program consists <strong>of</strong> 57 credits beyondthe master’s degree in nursing. Students cancomplete the program, including a dissertation,in three years <strong>of</strong> full-time study or fouryears <strong>of</strong> part-time study.Eleven students were admitted <strong>to</strong> the inauguralclass. Students from throughout Florida areenrolled in the program. Areas representedinclude Orl<strong>and</strong>o (four students), Tampa(three students), Naples (two students), FortPierce <strong>and</strong> New Smyrna Beach. The nextclass begins in the fall semester <strong>of</strong> 2004.Applications are now being accepted.64