Recession Proof: The Need for Nurses Continues to Rise at Record Rate
With announcements of rising unemployment and an ongoing economic recession, Georgia Southern University Nursing graduates are finding that they are not only in high demand, but those employers are fiercely competing for their services upon graduation. Among the highest ranked Nursing program in the state of Georgia, Georgia Southern University is seeing not only increased interest in its graduates, but also a rise in applicants to its highly competitive program.
‘It is really amazing to see the interest from not only employers, but also the increase in the number of applicants to our program,” said Jean Bartels, Ph.D., professor and chair of the School of Nursing at Georgia Southern University. ‘Employers continue to aggressively recruit our students, considered to be the best in the state, both at the undergraduate and graduate level.”
Some students within the School of Nursing at Georgia Southern are not only receiving one or two job offers, but receiving them before they even graduate. In fact, more than two thirds of the December 2008 graduating class received two to three job offers from health care agencies both in and out of state. For area health care agencies, Georgia Southern graduates were the most heavily recruited Nursing graduates of any regional University. In fact, one large metropolitan hospital hired only Georgia Southern graduates this December. A recent news story by the Associated Press noted that some employers are becoming very creative going as far as offering red carpet treatment and gas cards just to entice job seekers to attend job fair. ‘Nearly every recruiter that comes to Georgia Southern’s campus is trying to find a way to stand out versus the competition. In such a competitive market, recruiters are definitely searching for unique ways to attract graduates.”
Demand on the Rise
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 233,000 additional new jobs will open for registered nurses each year through 2016. That is on top of about 2.5 million current positions. When you take into consideration that only about 200,000 candidates passed the required RN licensing exam in 2008, the need for new nurses becomes even more alarming.
According to Bartels, Georgia ranks 42 nationally in the supply of RNs creating an RN vacancy rate of as high as 15 percent, well above the national average. By 2012, Georgia alone will have an estimated shortfall of more than 20,000 nurses. ‘Even with a best-case scenario, assuming all nursing graduates pass the licensure exam, remain in Georgia, and work full time, it is estimated that with current capacity and practices, the state will only be able to produce a maximum of 12,000 of the needed 20,000 RNs by 2012.”
‘The need for well educated nurses is not only tied to the increased demand for healthcare, but can also be attributed to increasing numbers of retiring nurses,” said Bartels.’Nurses are retiring at a faster rate than Universities can train and supply new nurses not to mention addressing additional need on top of that.”
Becoming More Competitive
Bartels is also seeing another trend the desire of current nurses to earn additional higher degrees in their field Georgia Southern University offers several programs that have grown rapidly in the past year. These include the RN-BSN program where a currently registered nurse may earn a bachelor’s degree through a completely online program. In addition, the University also offers a Master of Science and Nursing and this past year introduced a Doctor of Nursing Program (DNP). The RN-BSN and DNP are offered completely online while the Master of Science in Nursing is taught through a combination of online and classroom instruction.
All three programs have been designed for nurses working long hours or varying shifts.’There is an obvious interest in achieving additional nursing education and we designed the programs so that nurses could not only pursue their degree, but do so while they continued to work,” said Bartels.
One need that Bartels continues to reinforce is the need for additional nursing faculty. ‘I am trying to search for a faculty member right now to fill a position and there are just not enough faculty members to go around.” To counter this trend, programs like Georgia Southern have launched doctorate level programs designed to prepare nurses not only for advanced nursing practice, but also to return to the classroom to teach what they have learned.” Georgia Southern’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is one of only two of its kind in the state and now students have access to one of the nation’s top nursing programs at any location with an Internet connection.”
With current economic conditions, demand for new nurses, the challenge to provide additional training for current nurses and the need for new faculty, Bartels says creativity is the key. ‘You’ve got to be creative, persistent and willing to step outside the box,” she says. ‘At Georgia Southern we are continually looking for new ways to not only address the existing shortage, but prepare for expected future demand.”
Prospective students may find out more about Georgia Southern’s nursing programs at: www.georgiasouthern.edu. The application deadline for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program is March 1, 2009. The RN-BSN program and the Master of Science in Nursing program accept applications throughout the year.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 110 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Chance Named to American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Board of Directors
Lucindia Chance, Ed.D., Dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University, has been named to the distinguished Board of Directors of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). Chance is one of five new members appointed to the Board and the only representative from Georgia. Her term will begin March 1, 2009 and conclude February 29, 2012.
Chance assumed the role of dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern in 2001, having previously served as dean of education at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette. Prior to her work in Louisiana, she served for 10 years at the University of Memphis. Chance also spent 10 years as a classroom teacher and eight years as principal in Milan, Tenn. She presently serves on theU Board of the National Network for Educational Renewal and as treasurer of the Georgia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
Chance earned a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Memphis State University. She also earned a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Tennessee, Martin, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lambuth College.
Other members of the AACTE board include leadership from Stanford University, Columbia University, University of Kansas and Oklahoma State university to name a few.
The AACTE is a national alliance of educator preparation programs dedicated to the highest quality professional development of teachers and school leaders in order to enhance pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade student learning. The 800 institutions holding AACTE membership represent public and private colleges and universities in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. AACTE’s reach and influence fuel its mission of serving learners by providing all school personnel with superior training and continuing education.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers 116 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Georgia Southern University and Statesboro Regional Library Host Seminar On How To Start A Business
Many people dream of starting their own business but are now sure how to begin. Future entrepreneurs can learn some of the basics of starting a business in a free class hosted by Georgia Southern University’s Small Business Development Center and the Statesboro Regional Library.
‘Starting A Business” will be held January 27, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Statesboro Regional Library’s Community Room. The library is located at 124 South Main Street in Statesboro. Thanks to scholarships being provided by the Wachovia Foundation, this class is being offered at no charge to the public.To sign up for this free seminar, contact Nancy Elrod at 912-478-7232.
The SBDC program is funded in part by the University of Georgia and the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested in advance, by calling the Statesboro SBDC at 912-478-7232.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers 116 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students.Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Tavis Smiley To Speak At Georgia Southern
Television and radio host Tavis Smiley will speak at Georgia Southern University’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, January 15th at 7 p.m. as part of the University’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Program.? Smiley will speak about diversity, politics, current events and inspiring the youth who will become the leaders of tomorrow.
Smiley is host of the late night television talk show ‘Tavis Smiley” on PBS and the radio program ‘The Tavis Smiley Show” on Public Radio International.? The first American to ever simultaneously host signature talk shows on both public television and public radio, Smiley also offers political commentary twice a week on the ‘Tom Joyner Morning Show.”? Newsweek profiled him as one of the ‘Twenty People Changing How Americans
Get Their News” and dubbed him one of the nation’s ‘captains of the airwaves.”? Smiley also created the Tavis Smiley Foundation whose mission is to enlighten, encourage and empower African-American youth.
Seating for Smiley’s appearance is limited. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Free tickets will be available at the Performing Arts Center to anyone with a Georgia Southern ID on Wednesday, January 14th and to the public on Thursday, January 15th.
Smiley’s appearance at Georgia Southern University is sponsored by The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management and the Multicultural Student Center.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 120 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Human Resources Professional Certification Class Offered
Human Resource Professionals have an important opportunity to increase their career options and set themselves apart from their competition during this challenging economy, thanks to a professional certification course being offered by Georgia Southern University.
Registration for the twelve week ‘Certificate in Professional Human Resource Management” short course is going on now through noon on January 26th.?? The course is open to anyone, but is recommended for Human Resource personnel planning to sit for the national Professional Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification exam in May or June.? Georgia Southern University’s Continuing Education Center runs the course in partnership with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), which is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management.
This non-credit ‘exam prep” course will be held Monday nights beginning February 2, 2009 and ending April 20, 2009 at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah.? Classes begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.
The course fee of $955 includes the SHRM Learning System course materials. Current SHRM members from local chapters or the national SHRM organization may register for $905 each.? A late registration rate of $985 applies after 5 p.m. January 19, 2009.? Registration closes at noon Wednesday, January 26th.? Register by calling 912-681-5551.
For more information about this and other Georgia Southern University professional development programs, contact program manager J. Marie Lutz, SPHR at 912-478-1763.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 110 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students.? Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.?? The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education.? Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Georgia Southern University Students to Witness History
Ten exceptional students from Georgia Southern University have been selected to attend the Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20.
To be considered for selection, students were asked to provide a description of their campus community involvement and to write a 500-word essay discussing why they wanted to attend the inauguration. Ten students were chosen by a selection committee for their leadership qualities and to serve as representatives of Georgia Southern’s diverse student body.
‘The selection committee chose students who had outstanding essays and who had displayed commitment to various organizations and activities. Selected students also displayed a desire to share their experiences in D.C. with the campus and community,” said Janna Pennington, Georgia Southern’s coordinator of service learning.
The inauguration trip, organized by The Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management and the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement, will serve as a learning experience and a chance for students to witness history in the making.
The trip will also allow one student to see her campaign efforts pay off. Cindy Ann Kilgo, a member of Young Democrats, was a volunteer for President-Elect Barack Obama. Kilgo and three other students, who are involved in Student Government, will have the opportunity to see the political process at work.
‘Barack Obama has inspired millions of Americans with his message of hope and change,” said Pennington. ‘I hope that this trip will inspire a group of Georgia Southern students to strive for change in their local communities.”
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 110 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit:www.georgiasouthern.edu.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Georgia Southern University College of Education Dean
Lucindia Chance, Ed.D., dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University, has been named a Fulbright Specialist by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State and the Council for International Exchange of Scholars.
The Fulbright Specialists Program provides short-term academic opportunities (two to six weeks) for U.S.-based University faculty and professionals. To be selected, a candidate must first apply and are then selected after a comprehensive peer review of the application and qualifications.
The goal of the Fulbright Specialist program is to increase the participation of U.S. scholars and professionals through academic exchanges. Each of the selected Specialists will not only participate in traditional lecture and research activities, but will also promote increased connections between U.S. and non-U.S. post-secondary academic institutions.
Chance will now be added to the Fulbright Roster and will have the opportunity to be matched with requests from overseas academic institutions. She will remain on the Fulbright Roster for up to five years.
To be eligible to apply, candidates are required to have a Ph.D. or equivalent professional/terminal degree at the time of application plus a minimum of five years of post-doctoral teaching or professional experience in the field in which they are applying.
Chance, who has 40 years of experience in education, has served as dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University since July 2001. She has also served as professor and dean of the College of Education at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She began her education career as a classroom teacher in Milan, Tenn., later becoming a principal. Her higher education career began at the University of Memphis in 1989.
Chance earned a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Memphis State University. She also earned a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Tennessee, Martin, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lambuth College.
Chance currently serves on the editorial board and as a referee of Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, Staffordshire University, England. She is also a member of PDK Phi Delta Kappa (Northwest Tennessee Chapter, Jackson Chapter, Louisiana Chapter and the Georgia Chapter) and the National Education Association.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 110 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Georgia Southern University Expert Offers Tips on Going Green in 2009
“Going green” in the New Year doesn’t have to take a lot of time or a lot of money. Dr. Lissa Leege, who heads up Georgia Southern University’s sustainability programs, offers five easy ways to help save the environment and save money.
- As each incandescent bulb burns out in your house or office, replace it with a compact fluorescent bulb. CFLs use one-fifth the energy of incandescents and last 10 times longer, allowing you to save 670 pounds of carbon dioxide and $55 over the life of a single 60-watt bulb equivalent.
- Replace old shower heads in your home with new, lower-flow shower heads. By law, all shower heads are now required to release no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute a significant savings over the older five-gallons-per-minute models.
- Choose water from the tap over bottled water. Eight of 10 plastic water bottles end up in crowded landfills, and the oil required to make a year’s supply of new bottles in the U.S. is enough to fuel 100,000 cars a year.
- Bring your own bags to the grocery store. They are much sturdier than the film plastic bags and they’ll never end up as litter in a river!
- Give someone a nice travel mug to carry to Starbucks. That will save 10 cents a cup, but better yet it will save landfill space and trees by not trashing 365 cups a year.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
