The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing will again offer its popular "Introduction to Professional Nursing" for Emory College of Arts and Sciences students for the fall semester 2016. The course, conceived by Assistant Dean for BSN Education Angela Amar and developed and taught by Melissa Owen, was first offered spring semester 2016 and is designed to assist baccalaureate students’ decision making regarding nursing. Through the course, students gain exposure to the multifaceted role of the professional nurse.

"The goal of the class is to educate students on a variety of topics and issues related to nursing, as well as excite them about nursing as a potential career," says Owen.  

 

During the course, students will have an opportunity to hear from and network with experienced nurse faculty from a variety of specialties, educational backgrounds, and expertise including forensics, military nursing, critical care, emergency room, operating room, neonatal intensive care, midwifery, oncology, and transplant. Students gain first-hand insight into the life of a nursing student through a panel discussion with current nursing students.

The course also includes hands-on, interactive learning experiences outside of the traditional classroom in the School of Nursing’s simulation laboratories and at Emory University Hospital. In the simulation lab, students will participate in a variety of simulation activities including, performing CPR on a high-fidelity mannequin and participating in birthing and cardiovascular screening simulations. At the Emory University Hospital, students will visit the Serious Communicable Disease Unit (SCDU) where Emory clinicians provided care for the nation’s first Ebola patients. Students will learn about the collaborative care environment and the role of the nurse manager. 

"This course will help students at Emory College preview nursing careers early in their college journey," says Amar. "Most students don’t realize that nursing provides an infinite number of career opportunities. Our alumni hold positions ranging from CEO and chief nursing officer at major health systems to public health nurses and clinical educators at community clinics."

 

Nursing is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States and several cities across the nation — including Atlanta — are facing a severe shortage of nurses.

"We need more nurses to deliver health care services to our population," says Amar. "I am excited that Emory will be at the forefront of helping to expose more students to the nursing profession."

Emory's School of Nursing is ranked 8th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. It is the top-ranked nursing program in Georgia.

Interested in Registering for this Course?

Registration for the "Introduction to Professional Nursing" course is open for fall 2016.

Contact Melissa Owen at mikenne@emory.edu for more details about this course.