seasons

IDA V. MOFFETT SCHOOL OF NURSING
Nursing Advisory Board
Provides Guidance, Resources
Nursing students practice
in the simulation center.
School of Nursing to Offer
the Postbaccalaureate
D.N.P. in 2017 by Katie Stripling
Beginning in January 2017, nurses desiring an advanced
practice degree will have new pathways for earning the Doctor of
Nursing Practice at Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing. The school
will offer a post baccalaureate D.N.P. with a variety of concentrations,
including family nurse practitioner, health systems and
administration, and nurse anesthesia. In addition, nurses with an
associate degree will have the opportunity to enter the RN-to-
D.N.P. program that allows them to pursue the D.N.P without
first earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
According to Gretchen McDaniel, nursing school associate
dean for graduate programs and professor, the transition to a
postbaccalaureate D.N.P. is a response to calls by the American
Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Association of
Nurse Anesthetists, the Council on Accreditation of Nurse
Anesthesia Educational Programs and the National Organization of
Nurse Practitioner Faculties to transition the preparation of
advanced practice registered nurses from the master’s to the doctoral
level to better meet the challenges of 21st-century health care.
“As our country’s health care environment becomes more
complex, advanced practice registered nurses are required to have
the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise
possible,” said McDaniel. “With this in mind, Ida V. Moffett
School of Nursing is establishing innovative new programs that
respond to the evolving demands of practice.”
The family nurse practitioner and new health systems and
administration concentrations will begin in January 2017. Health
systems and administration will offer two subspecialties, including
informatics and transformation of care. Nurse anesthesia will
transition to the postbaccalaureate D.N.P. in summer 2018. The
school will continue to offer the nurse educator concentration at
the master’s level as well as the post-master’s D.N.P. ◗
36 • Seasons • Summer 2016 • College of Health Sciences Newsletter
Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing’s Advisory Board
embraces a strategic model that involves clear goal setting and
accountability for progress to meet the needs of students, alumni
and employees of the school. “The board has demonstrated a
profound commitment to making things happen within the school
of nursing,” said Nena F. Sanders, vice provost of the College of
Health Sciences and nursing school dean. “They are very in tune
with our needs and challenges, and are some of our most passionate
advocates.”
Sanders describes the board as an action-oriented group that
is dedicated to achieving stated goals and furthering the mission of
the nursing school. The activities of the board are varied and allow
members to choose specific opportunities to serve. Each member
serves on a committee, and committees embrace the opportunity
to set goals that address not only the needs of the school, but the
passions of the membership.
“It is important that we foster an environment that allows
members to pursue their passions and see tangible results from
their efforts,” said Sanders. The board, initially established more
than a decade ago, was restructured in 2011 and has achieved
numerous accomplishments since that time.
Board President Roger F. Cartwright outlined a number of
recent successes. Each semester, the academic affairs committee
calls parents of students beginning clinical courses to give them
tips for helping their student succeed; this provides reassurance to
parents and support for the students. The external relations
committee recently completed an initiative to design and raise
funds to create the Living Legacy Wall, a visual display honoring
distinguished nursing alumni.
This year, the resource development committee commissioned
a video to help tell the school of nursing story to business leaders.
The board also hosts the annual Courage to Care Gala, chaired by
board member Barbara Money. New in 2015–16, the board
introduced Community Leader Lunches, a series of events
designed to increase awareness of Ida V. Moffett School of
Nursing in the Birmingham business community, and a faculty
recognition program.
According to Cartwright, the future is bright for the group.
“We will continue to expand our membership with a focus on a
wide range of expertise and diversity in order to grow our ability
to provide wisdom and resources for the school,” he said. “We are
also committed to ensuring that each member fully embraces the
overarching mission of the school, and is prepared to be an
ambassador on behalf of Samford and the school of nursing.”
Board members represent a variety of professions and backgrounds.
In addition to Cartwright, the board is led by an executive
committee, including past President Jo D. Kicker, and Committee
Chairs Carolyn Chalkley (academic affairs), Kerry Gossett (resource
development) and Chris Moore (external relations). ◗
View the advisory board’s latest video at samford.edu/nursing.