Printer FriendlyFebruary 16, 2009
Dear Nursing Alumni and Friends:
Greetings to all from the Department of Nursing! On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students, it is my pleasure and distinct honor to be able to share news of the ongoing developments and achievements within the Department of Nursing.
To begin, the Baccalaureate Nursing Graduates have continued to achieve highly satisfactory NCLEX-RN pass rates, ranging from 90-94% the past three years. Our pass rates have exceeded state and national averages. Beginning in the Fall 2009, the enrollment of highly-qualified first-time freshmen is targeted to reach 100, a number that far surpasses prior years. This is an effort to address the nursing shortage by admitting the most highly qualified students. The University’s Administration, including Chancellor Martin T. Meehan and Provost Ahmed Abdelal, have been highly supportive of this effort and have offered new faculty authorized positions, which are being actively sought through national searches. Please go to UMass Lowell's Human Resources to learn more about these opportunities.
New Faculty and Professional Staff
A number of new positions have been created and exceptionally talented faculty have been recruited to fill the Departmental needs. Among our new faculty for 2008-2009 are:
Dr. Darcie Brewin
Dr. Annette McDonough
Dr. Miki Patterson
Valerie King, Visiting Assistant Professor
Karyn Carter, Visiting Assistant Professor
Laurie Soroken, MS, APRN, Full-Time Clinical Track Faculty
Karen Foulke, MS, APRN, Full-Time Clinical Track Faculty
Joining our full-time tenure track and clinical track faculty are a number of seasoned and new MS-prepared Adjunct Clinical Faculty, including: Catherine Coakley, Kathy Courtney, Tanya Coutu, Cathy Loiselle, Kelley MacDonald, Linda Manjarrez, Lisa Marchand-Ciriello, Patricia Normandin, Kathy Phaneuf, Cathy Rhuda, and Gail Tangard. These faculty serve a critical role in meeting the educational preparation of our Baccalaureate Nursing students.
Additionally, we have a new Director of Nursing Simulation and Skills Laboratory, Joanne Dupuis, MS, RN, and a new Director of Clinical Resources, Eileen Riley. We are fortunate to have their knowledge, skills, and commitment in our Department.
Academic Program Development and Growth
A new partnership with Lahey Clinic to offer the UMass Lowell RN-BS degree completion was initiated in 2008. Many of the AD and diploma-prepared RNs employed at Lahey Clinic have enrolled in the online-blended format offered by the Department through the Corporate Studies Distance and Continuing Education (CSDCE) at UMass Lowell.
Overall, interest in the RN-BS degree completion has increased substantially, and our enrollments have tripled since 2007 with 54 students now matriculated in the RN program on campus and many others taking courses as non-matriculated students through the Lahey Partnership or our public offering through CSDCE. Further information can be obtained on our RN-BS degree completion through contact with Dr. Annette McDonough, Coordinator, at 978 934-4422.
The MS Program enrollment continues to grow in the gerontological, family health, and adult psychiatric mental health specialties. Certification pass rates are consistently reported to be 100%.
Additionally, our post-BS graduate certificates in Gerontological Nursing, Geropsychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, and Palliative and End-of-Life Nursing Care have seen considerable growth in enrollments, as have the two post-MS Graduate Certificates in Nursing Education and Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (for the MS-prepared NP).
In the Fall 2009, our first class of DNP students will begin the program. We have been actively interviewing excellent candidates and priority interviewing for applications received by February 1, 2009, has begun. Additional information about the DNP can be found under Programs of Study on our website. Dr. Susan Houde is the Director of the DNP, Graduate Certificate, and MS Programs and can be reached at 978 934-4426.
The PhD in Nursing Program, with its unique focus on Health Promotion, has also seen growth. Dr. Barbara Mawn has been serving as the Interim Director of the Program and welcomes contact from those interested in exploring a research-intensive doctorate in nursing. She can be reached at 978 934-4485.
Research and Traineeship Funding
Exciting achievements have been noted in the research funding and traineeships that have been received.
· 2008-2011, U.S. DHHS, Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing, Health Resources and Services Administration, Nursing Workforce Diversity, $894,085, Dr. Karen Devereaux Melillo, Principal Investigator, Dr. Jacqueline Dowling, Co-PI; Drs. Lisa Abdallah, Mary Findeisen, and Peggy Knight, Co-Investigators
· 2009-2010, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Higher Education, Nursing Initiative Grant, Human Simulation Integration Technology Grant, in partnership with Lowell General Hospital, $48,000 (Sim-Baby and Laerdal Training), Dr. Jacqueline Dowling, Principal Investigator; Dr. Karen Devereaux Melillo, Co-PI
· 2008-2013, Office of Population Affairs, 5-year “Male Research Cooperative Study” grant to the Montachusett Opportunity Council, a non-profit organization that reaches young African American and Hispanic males in north central Massachusetts, to confront rising rates of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV infections in Leominster and Fitchburg, $1.2M, Dr. Ainat Koren, Co-Investigator
· 2008-2009, U.S. DHHS, HRSA, Advanced Traineeship grant funding for full-time PhD and MS students, Dr. Susan Houde, Principal Investigator
· 2008-2009, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Higher Education, Nursing Initiative Grant, Human Simulation Integration Technology Grant, in partnership with Lowell General Hospital, $48,000 (Sim-Man and Laerdal Training), Dr. Jacqueline Dowling, Principal Investigator; Dr. Karen Devereaux Melillo, Co-PI
Space and Faculty Offices
On February 24, 2009, 2:30-4:00, O’Leary 540, an Open House will unveil the new suite of faculty offices, which have been recently renovated. The UMass Lowell community, Nursing Advisory Board, and Nursing Professor Emeriti have been invited. Alumni and friends are welcome to join us! I have been at the University for 27 years; this location is by far the best we have had for nursing faculty. Many additional faculty and research project staff are also located on O’Leary 3rd floor as well.
Additionally, a dedicated Nursing Simulation Laboratory, courtesy of the forward thinking and vision of Interim Dr. Dean Kay Doyle, will be unveiled. It is located in the Weed Hall Basement, Conference Room A, with an adjoining computer technology control room in Weed Basement Conference Room B. We have also been the very proud recipients of a number of major equipment donations for the Simulation Laboratory made in February 2009 by
I feel honored and privileged to be able to present to you, our Alumni and Friends, an update of our achievements and accomplishments. But, the
Best Wishes,
Karen Devereaux Melillo, PhD, GNP, ANP-BC, FAANP
Professor and Chair