of Nursing’s two centers: the SCTR Center for Community Health Partnerships and the Technology Applications Center for Healthful Lifestyles (TACHL). Both centers are leading faculty developed research initiatives and submitting interprofessional grant proposals that strongly appeal to the NIH. The majority of the funded research focuses on community based behavioral interventions and technology based innovations (i.e., mobile phone applications) to improve health outcomes. Despite the challenging economic times and flattening of NIH funding, the College’s faculty have attained a 50 percent success rate in NIH funding over the past four years. These two centers that advance translational research in both community practices and community settings are playing a pivotal role in making the MUSC College of Nursing a national leader in improving the health care of disadvantaged communities. The type of research we are conducting at MUSC is on the cutting edge of health care transformation with the implementation of innovative interventions for transitional care, primary care, and community adoption of healthy behaviors.
PRACTICE Key National policy statements and the passage of the Affordable Health Care Act have created a demand for removing the barriers to nursing practice. In South Carolina, College of Nursing faculty members are playing a major role in the elimination of barriers to nursing practice through legislative action. These legislative changes will increase the impact nurse practitioners will have in meeting the primary care needs in the state. The state currently ranks 41st in health care status which is directly tied to the lack of access to primary care services. In response to these dynamic changes in health care, the College has positioned itself well to provide practice opportunities for faculty to test new models of care and for student experiences to develop the leadership skills necessary in the new health paradigm. The use of technology to improve the quality of care and lower the cost of care will play a major role in nursing practice in the future. Faculty in the College of Nursing are working with other MUSC colleges and community leaders to establish schoolbased clinics in four urban schools that will utilize technology to expand access to care for the children and their families. In collaboration with the TACHL, faculty and staff are demonstrating the use of with practice faculty & students digital technology to reduce uncontrolled hypertension. At the state level, College of Nursing faculty are using video conferencing to provide case reviews and training for Adult Protective Services employees at the South Carolina Department of Social Services on issues of neglect and abuse.
26 , 000 number of patient encounters
Historically the College has been on the cutting edge of community-based programming. Currently faculty and students work with private industry to provide work site wellness programs, collaborate with community partners to provide outreach activities, and work with municipal policy makers to address local health issues. The College of Nursing is seen as a leader not just in the provision of health services, but also in the identification of creative collaborations to build capacity in community partners. In the academic setting, the integration of practice with education and research facilitates the development of innovative practice models, the demand for higher education, and the testing of interventions for improving health care outcomes.
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE Key The value of any college may best be assessed by the nature of its organizational culture. A culture that promotes collegiality, respect, continuous learning, accountability, adaptability and mutual growth and development is a college that will thrive and excel in the days ahead. Promoting just this type of culture among students, staff and faculty alike is one of the priorities of the College of Nursing. Each year the College participates in a university survey that is part of MUSC Excellence. In the past year the results confirm that our hard work and attention to building a healthy organizational climate have yielded excellent results: > 100% of faculty said they made the right choice in accepting a position at the MUSC College of Nursing > 97% of staff said they are pleased to be working at the MUSC College of Nursing > 97 % of graduating students believe they made the right choice in selecting the MUSC College of Nursing > 97% of the current College of Nursing students believe they are receiving a high quality education at MUSC We are rightfully proud of these reports as they reflect the way in which everyone in the College works together to achieve success in every mission. We have a dedicated and energized faculty, 87 percent of whom are doctorally prepared, with numerous national and international leadership roles. Our staff are equally committed to the work of the College and demonstrate “customer service” to all individuals with whom they interact. In the days ahead we will strive to maintain and expand this culture of respect and excellence. Our goal is that students, staff, faculty, colleagues, and visitors will all see the MUSC College of Nursing as a welcoming door to new ideas, continuous learning and career enhancement.
100% faculty satisfaction
Spring | summer 2012
Lifelines
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