MCG master’s program to train nurse leaders

The Medical College of Georgia is offering a master’s degree program that prepares working nurses for leadership roles in practice, education and research.

The RN-MSN (CNL) degree is a fast-track program for licensed nurses to earn a master’s degree and move into leadership roles. The BSN-MSN (CNL) program is for bachelor’s-prepared nurses seeking a nonspecialty master’s degree that prepares them for leadership roles.

Classes are primarily online, with the exception of a clinical component. Students may enroll full time or part time, and won’t have to quit work to pursue the degrees. The first 25 students in the program will start classes next fall.

“It’s a good opportunity for nurses in the state — not just in our community — to be able to have some flexible options to return to school and advance their degrees,” said Nancy Stark, coordinator of the programs.

For information, call Olivia Mitchell at 1-706-721-9767.

ONCOLOGY NURSING AWARDS: The Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has honored nurses Patricia “Trish” Barry McElfresh and Erika Olsen with the Laura Snitzer-Boozer Nursing Award. The award, which goes to nurses who have demonstrated professional excellence and leadership in pediatric cancer care, provides financial support for continued education in oncology.

McElfresh, PHP-BC, is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner who cares for neuro-oncology patients with tumors of the brain and spine. She has worked at the Aflac Center since 2002.

Olsen, RN, has worked at the Aflac Cancer Center for more than eight years. From diagnosis to survivorship, Olsen provides care to patients and their families.

Also honored were Ellen Olson, RN, MS, CPNP, for upcoming presentations in Brazil and Florida, and Katie Morrison, RN, BSN, and Stephanie Wilson, RN, BSN, for their enrollment in PNP programs.

NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS: Kaiser Permanente has awarded a $25,000 grant to Armstrong Atlantic State University’s Department of Nursing to fund scholarships for five students for one year.

The Kaiser Foundation recently identified Armstrong Atlantic State’s nursing program as a strong community partner working to address the nursing shortage.

“We are making every effort to respond to the needs for nursing education in the state of Georgia,” said Camille Payne, head of the nursing department at the Savannah school.

NURSES’ UNIONS MERGE: Three unions that together represent about 150,000 registered nurses are forming a new organization that will be the nation’s largest nurses’ union. The agreement joins the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, United American Nurses and the Massachusetts Nurses Association into a single entity that will be more active in the debate over health care reform.

The new union — to be called the United American-National Nurses Organizing Committee — will focus on improving standards for nurses and patients and devote more resources to increasing membership, said Rose Anne Demoro, CNA executive director.

INFORMATICS DISCUSSION: The Alpha Eplison chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International will partner with Emory Healthcare’s Department of Nursing to present a panel discussion on nursing informatics on May 1.

The discussion — “Information Technology: Is It the Stethoscope of the 21st Century?” — will be at

1:30 p.m. in the Emory University Hospital Auditorium in Atlanta.

The event will focus on how informatics experts and nursing administrators envision informatics improving nursing practice through the integration of technology and evidence-based medicine. Panelists will answer questions from an audience of health care professionals.

The panelists will include Roy L. Simpson, vice president, Nursing Cerner Corporation; Susan Grant, chief nursing officer, Emory Healthcare; Dee Cantrell, chief information officer, Emory Healthcare; Ellen Meyer, Nursing Informatics, Emory Healthcare; and Cathy Wood, executive director, Nursing Systems Emory Healthcare.

To RSVP, send an e-mail to AlphaEpsilonPrograms@gmail.com. For information, contact Emily Beard at emilybeard@gmail.com or 404-213-5951.

NEW LEADERSHIP: Lynn Witherspoon, RN, BSN, has been named nurse manager of women’s health at MCGHealth in Augusta. She will supervise patient care teams responsible for labor and delivery, newborn, mother/baby and antepartum care.

TOP 100: Nursing Professionals magazine has ranked Emory University Hospital 16th and St. Joseph’s Hospital 57th among the nation’ Top 100 Hospitals to Work For.

During a survey on job satisfaction sent to 25,000 randomly selected hospital nurses, the magazine asked questions about training and development, flexible working arrangements for nurses, family-friendly work environments and equality and diversity.

Nursing Professionals is published biannually and serves as a recruiting tool for hospitals, the military and corporations.

CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: The Spinal Research Foundation named Atlanta Brain and Spine Care one of 14 national organizations to receive the 2009 Center of Excellence Award. Recipients are selected based on contribution and dedication to improving spinal health care through research and education.

OHN WEEK: The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses has announced the theme for the sixth annual National Occupational Health Nursing Week (April 17-23).

The theme — OHNs: The Best Value in Health Care — will highlight the ability of occupational and environmental health nurses to promote and maintain the physical health of workers and the fiscal health of businesses.

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