UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 28, Page 1
April 20, 1995
Certificates available for specialized nursing fields

     During the past half-century, health care has changed
dramatically, and the profession of nursing also has changed to meet
new challenges and needs.
     Nurses now are increasingly important in health care, as
specialists, caregivers and case managers, and their roles will expand
in the future, according to Janice A. Selekman, chairperson of the
Department of Nursing.
     To meet the need for specialized nurses with graduate-level
education, in 1993 the College of Nursing added a master's program for
family nurse practitioners (FNP) to its cadre of graduate programs,
and the first class will graduate in May. In addition, a post master's
certificate program for FNPs was established.
     This past year, the college established post master-degree's
certificate programs in nursing administration and for multiple
clinical nurse specialist (CNS) tracks.
     Nursing administration prepares nurses to function in management
roles in health care facilities. In addition to core courses that all
CNS students must take, such as "Concepts in Advanced Nursing
Practice," the graduate program teaches organization and management
theory, accounting and budgeting and other aspects of health care
management.
     Clinical specialization is offered in the nursing fields of
oncology/ immune deficiency, cardiopulmonary, mothers and newborns,
pediatrics and gerontology.
     After students complete core courses, they specialize, according
to their field of study, taking such course as "Acute Care Nursing of
the Aged" or "Nursing Assessment of Women, Children and Families." All
students must write a thesis or work on a scholarly project. For
advanced certification, they must pass an examination given by the
American Nurses Credentialing Center or their specialty organization.
     "It is not possible to earn a second master's degree in nursing,
and the certificate programs provide opportunities for specialization
and further education for nurses in the field," Selekman said. "As in
most fields, the bachelor's degree is a generalist degree and the
master's degree is the time for specialization. There is greater
demand for dual specialization in nursing, and nurses with post
master's certificates are more valuable employees and have expanded
opportunities," she said.
     Those who apply to the certificate program must have at least one
year of recent clinical experience, and they select a field for
specialization in an area that interests them. Most of the students
work and live in the four-state area and take courses at the college
during the evening. Their practica can be done near their home base,
Selekman said.
     Selekman said she foresees that one important function of a CNS
will be case management, working with clients to walk them through the
health care system and to coordinate their care with other health care
providers. For example, a patient with cancer may be dealing with many
specialists from a surgeon to an oncologist to home care, and the CNS
can act as a care coordinator, overseeing the total picture, avoiding
duplication of services and tests, and monitoring medication.
     The CNS also can deal with wellness issues as well as chronic and
acute illnesses that will become increasingly important with an aging
American population, Selekman pointed out
     Advanced practice nurses with graduate degrees can work in every
facet of health care in a variety of settings from hospitals or
rehabilitation centers to community agencies and schools. Specialized
nurses are in demand, and the college is committed to meeting this
need in the Delaware region, Selekman said.
     A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Selekman holds a
master's degree with a concentration in pediatrics and a doctorate in
nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure