A group of 19 nurses received their master of science in nursing administration degree at St. Ambrose's winter commencement ceremony Dec. 15. They were the first graduates of the SAU program created to fill a need for qualified nurse leaders.
"Prior to enrolling in the MSN program I had not thought it possible to earn my master's degree while working full-time, nor had I considered an administrative role," says Heidi Bradley, nurse manager of the Genesis Behavioral Health department and member of the first MSN graduating class. "St. Ambrose faculty really understood the pressures on adult learners and it was very easy to fit in one evening class per week. I also discovered that I enjoy the challenges and opportunities of nursing administration and because of the degree program and Genesis' support, I am now the manager of the department where I had been a staff nurse for the past twenty years."
The MSN program in nursing administration prepares professional nurse leaders to manage institutional resources, personnel and work environments to meet the health care needs of individuals, families and communities in current and evolving healthcare environments. The program is delivered in an accelerated format of eight-week courses that meet once a week and is designed to be completed within two years.
The program is open to all nurses interested in a master's degree; the first graduating class is a cohort of nurses from Genesis Medical Center.
"In an ever-changing world, our community needs nurses who will provide leadership in tomorrow's healthcare system," says Delores Hilden, professor and chair of the SAU nursing program. "We developed the MSN program to respond to this need and are very proud of the 19 committed nurses of this first graduating class."
First MSN Class:
Illinois
Coal Valley: Charlotte Powell
Colona: Karin Barrett
East Moline: Colleen Mulholland
Moline: Rebecca Chandler
Port Byron: Michelle Kindelsperger
Rock Island: Sandra Forster
Taylor Ridge: Michele Petersen
Iowa
Bennett: Heidi Bradley
Bettendorf: Jacqueline Anhalt
Davenport: Julie Cutler, Charlette Evans, Kathleen Lenaghan, Laurie Ryan
DeWitt: Theresa Brock
Eldridge: Nicole Dorr
Grand Mound: Wanda Haack
Maquoketa: Debra Renner, Paula River, De Shawn Schmidt
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