TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER SCHOOL OF NURSING RECEIVES $164,424 FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION NURSING TRAINING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2004
CONTACT: Suzanna Cisneros Martinez, suzanna.martinez@ttuhsc.edu

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Receives $614,424 for Advanced Education Nursing Training

LUBBOCK –The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Graduate Program received $614,424 from the Human Resources and Services Administration for the implementation of an advanced education nurse training program over the next three years.
The “Rural RN to MSN and BSN to MSN Education Leadership Curriculum” grant provides an opportunity for the following: nursing diploma, associate degree and BSN prepared nurses to obtain a master’s degree with dual preparation as a nursing educator and a clinical nurse specialist in Medical/Surgical Nursing. The curriculum will be web-based, utilizing technology to facilitate the participation of nursing professionals in rural areas.
Barbara Johnston, Ph.D., R.N., associate dean for the Health Sciences Center Graduate Program at the School of Nursing and principal investigator of the advanced education nurse training program, said the grant is of great importance on a national level. “The preparation of quality nurse educators is instrumental in addressing the current nursing shortage which affects the quality of health care for all patients,” Johnston said.
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, said nurses are our nation’s chief caregivers and are in great demand. “The resources from this grant will assist the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing in encouraging and educating these individuals, who choose to dedicate their lives to helping others.”
Alexia Green, Ph.D., R.N., dean of the School of Nursing, added, “We are very appreciative of this funding from the Human Resources and Services Administration for the implementation of this exciting program which will help provide nurse educators skilled in one of the most critical areas currently needed in the health care arena.”
During the three year term of this grant, approximately 60 nurses will benefit from the funding. Johnston said projected enrollment is estimated at 10 students for the first year, 20 for the second and 30 for the third year. She added that the program would be self-sustaining with a continued increase in enrollment.

This is the third time the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School
of Nursing has been awarded this grant. For more information, contact barbara.johnston@ttuhsc.edu.

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