Careers & Training
New nursing degree targets newborn care
Amid the growing need to provide intensive care for newborn infants, the University of Indianapolis, the Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health are collaborating on a new UIndy master’s degree program that will be the only one of its kind in the state. The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program will begin this fall with a mix of classroom instruction, online studies and clinical work in local health care facilities, leading to a specialized master’s degree. The program is designed for working nurses, and the instructors will include active pediatricians and nurse practitioners. Hands-on training and observation will take place at Wishard Hospital, IU Health University Hospital and Riley’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. “For the students to have access to those kinds of clinical experiences is unprecedented,” said Anne Thomas, dean of UIndy’s School of Nursing. “These new nurse practitioners will be thoroughly prepared to fill the gap in communities that simply don’t
Master’s moving online
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne announced that all four areas of specialization of the master of science with a major in nursing program will move to an online format this fall. IPFW offers master’s degrees in adult nurse practitioner, women’s health practitioner, nurse educator and nurse executive. An open house will be held Wednesday, May 16, at the Georgetown Branch of the Allen County Public Library, 6600 E. State Blvd. Those interested in the program will be able to speak with Deb Poling, IPFW director of graduate nursing programs.
have enough neonatal physicians to meet the demand.” Cheri Walkosak, director of neonatal nurse practitioners for the IU School of Medicine, said she needs a continual influx of new talent to maintain her staff of 50 nurse practitioners at Riley Hospital. Nurse practitioners not only provide direct patient care, but also help train nurses, therapists and other health care workers in the preferred practices. The demand for such expertise has increased with the establishment of NICUs in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Lafayette, Bloomington and elsewhere around the state as local health care systems provide services close to home. — University of Indianapolis
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Indiana Nursing Quarterly
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indystar.com/nursing
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Spring 2012