Southeastern masters program in nursing receives Nightingale Award
Contact: Rene Abadie
Date: February 25, 2013
HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University master's degree in nursing, which is offered
in a consortium with three other state institutions, has been recognized by the Louisiana
Nurses Foundation as the Nursing School of the Year in Advanced Practice.
The Nightingale Award was presented to the consortium at the Foundation's meeting
Feb. 16 in Baton Rouge. This is the first year the award was presented in this category,
created to showcase successful graduate level programs.
Southeastern's program is offered in a consortium with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette,
McNeese State University in Lake Charles and Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux.
"The consortium has been recognized by the Louisiana Board of Regents as model
of collaboration, articulation and the wise use of scarce resources," said Ann Carruth,
dean of the Southeastern School of Nursing. "Through a sharing of resources – including
library materials and committed faculty – we are able to offer top quality, cost effective
post-graduate education in an easily accessible online model.
"Our best assets are our faculty and students," she added. "Together we have
graduated advanced practice nurses to meet the healthcare needs of the region, nurse
leaders to solve complex health care management crises and nurse educators to train
future nurses."
The program offers concentrations leading to a master of science degree in nursing
in four different areas: family nurse practitioner, family psychiatric/mental health
nurse practitioner, nurse executive, and nurse educator. The program is accredited
by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education.
"Since 1992, this program has helped prepare a steady number of professionals
to meet the growing health and wellness needs of the state," Carruth said. "Most of
our students work full time and require some degree of convenience and flexibility
in their graduate program. By offering our courses online through web-based distance
learning, the consortium is meeting the needs of these professionals and allowing
them to learn at their own pace and time."
Southeastern's undergraduate nursing program has been recognized with the Nightingale
Award three times in the past 10 years. The school also operates a completely online
RN to BS degree program that allows registered nurses with an associate's degree or
nursing diploma to complete courses leading to a bachelor of science degree.
