Currently, the nursing profession is like other programs, offered scholarships
only 10 percent male and 24 percent to adults.”
minority, while the U.S. population is
Another factor in the upswing of
33 percent minority. In summer 2009,
adults in the accelerated nursing
enrollment in the MNU accelerated BSN
program: the economy.
program was 20 percent male and 40
“After the third or fourth layoff, many
percent minority.
people are looking for a career that offers
Troy Frazier is in the MNU accelerated
stability,” Larson says.
BSN program, and will graduate with his
Financial stability, however, isn’t
BSN in May. He was a U.S. Navy officer
everything, according to Jenkins.
and also spent 13 years as a personal
trainer after completing his psychology
“If it was about money,” she says, “I
degree. When he decided to enter the
would have stayed in my job. At this
health care profession, it was a friend
stage in life, I have a better perspective.
who suggested nursing, and Troy had to
I’ve been looking for something fulfilling
think that option through.
that offers skills to hang my hat on down
the road. Nursing will be a rewarding
“I didn’t know any male nurses,” Fra-
career for me.”
zier says. “But I kept an open mind.”
Jenkins added that the timing was just
What he has learned at MNU has
right for her. “I was in the Marines, then
expanded his view of nursing.
an EMT, and worked as a lab scientist in
“There’s no question that I underesti-
a hospital,” she says. “Everything I’ve ex-
mated the profession,” he says, “and it’s
perienced will make me a better nurse.” One of the goals of the New Careers in Nursing initiative
not just me. The program has given us
Nursing education at MNU extends
through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is to bring
all a better appreciation and respect for
beyond the Olathe and Liberty class-
more diversity to the nursing profession.
nursing.”
rooms. An important part of MNU nurs-
In addition to patient care, today’s
MNU is home to two adult simulators
ing is to expose students to multi-cultural
nurses conduct research, teach in univer-
and one pediatric simulator, as well as a
settings.
sities, assist in policy-making, manage
pregnancy simulator, which allows repli-
“We work locally with inner city
health care organizations and serve on
cation of the childbirth experience.
schools and outreach groups, including
boards.
And when MNU knew it would not
the Kansas City Rescue Mission,” Larson
Brenda Jenkins was a single mother
have space all four simulators, a unique
says. “We also take annual mission trips
with a full-time job — and two bachelor’s
example of academic-community part-
to clinics in Guate-
degrees. Today, she’s in
nership was created. Olathe Medical
mala.”
the accelerated BSN
“We were the only
Center offered to house one of the simu-
Student nurses also
program.
lators, creating a situation in which both
“The scholarship
school in Kansas to
benefit from MNU’s
MNU and OMC staff can benefit.
advanced technology.
program made it
receive this grant.
In another aspect of the nursing profes-
In 2008, the nurs-
easier for me to enter
sion evolution, BSN-prepared nurses are
the nursing profes-
I think our 20-year
ing school added a
seeking to move into emerging manage-
Simulation Studio,
sion,” Jenkins says.
experience with
ment opportunities or into roles that
which provides safer,
“I looked at other
help educate future nurses. In January
schools, but I wanted
accelerated nursing
enhanced learning
2010, MNU launched its new acceler-
opportunities. In addi-
to get it done quickly.
education made a
ated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
tion, a grant adminis-
MNU offered a way.”
program. Two MSN tracks are available:
Some who’ve
difference.”
tered by the Depart-
Nursing Education and Health Care
ment of Energy helped
Administration.
entered the MNU
Susan Larson, Interim Dean
equip MNU’s new
accelerated program Simulation Studio, as
“The new program helps fill the
considered nursing well as providing for
growing need for nurse educators — an
years ago, yet for various reasons didn’t new equipment in MNU science classes.
underlying cause of the nursing short-
pursue it. Cynthia Thomas moved from
age,” Larson says.
Learning that occurs with assurance of
Tennessee to Kansas solely to enroll in
no harm to patients is immensely helpful
The Health Care Administration track
MNU’s accelerated BSN program. She
to a student. For example, Larson says,
prepares nurses for leadership roles,
had worked in the health insurance field
imagine a nursing student giving an
from nursing manager to chief executive
for 12 years, yet found it unfulfilling. She
antibiotic to a patient without making
officer of a health care organization. The
longed to do something where she could
sure the patient wasn’t allergic to the
Nursing Education track prepares nurses
make a stronger human impact.
medication. In the simulation setting, the
to teach in health care facilities or nurs-
“I went through a period of reflection instructor can cause the allergic reac-
ing schools.
and remembered I always wanted to be tion, and the student nurses will have to
Interest in nursing as a career is high.
a nurse,” Thomas says. “MNU met my critique and analyze the chain of events
Nearly 99,000 qualified applicants were
priority for a Christian college, and un- regarding the patient’s response.
turned away in 2008 by U.S. nursing
continued on page 19
Spring 2010 | Accent magazine | 5
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