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College of Nursing offering online options As a hedge against a rising nursing shortage, the College of Nursing (CON) is tapping into the age of interactive tools to prepare future nurses and faculty, which increasingly integrate the Internet and IPod into their work and academic lives.   Beginning this spring, nurses will be able to pursue a doctoral degree or a combination master’s degree in nursing and business online. Earning a doctoral degree electronically is the outgrowth of programs established that enable online degrees that include: R.N. to BSN and R.N. to MSN programs, and master’s levels tracks for neonatal nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nursing administration, and psychiatric nurse practitioner.   According to CON administration, decreasing numbers of doctoral students living in the Charleston area and the desire to meet the higher education needs of nurses throughout the state led to the decision to put the doctoral program online. Statistically, many of the doctoral candidates are older professionals with families who must work a full-time job, so online programs are conducive to their lifestyle.   “Most of us remember correspondence courses in which teachers mailed lesson plans to students and required written responses, videos or tape recordings in return,” said Gail Barbosa, Ph.D., CON Online Education and Doctoral Program director. “The lack of quick interaction between the teacher and learner was often unrewarding. The recent explosion in the use of the Internet, personal computers, iPods, e-mail, and video chats has added a new dimension to the distance learning environment.”   As for the combination master’s in nursing and master’s in business online degree, CON is collaborating with the University of South Carolina Moore School of Business to integrate progressive management nursing experiences with business principles and practices. The program begins with the MBA component, then moves on to nursing administration education. Students can expect to finish their degrees in about two-and-a-half years as full-time students. It is designed for the working nurse, so students do not have to travel to Charleston after the initial orientation visit.   “The online format allows much greater flexibility than the prior classroom environment and a greater reach for the College of Nursing,” said Mary Martin, Ph.D., CON Graduate Program director. “We have had many inquires from across the United States and as far away as China. The new dual degree program appears destined for success in the coming years.”   All of CON’s online programs have been so successful because the opportunity for interaction with fellow students and teachers using visuals, sound, and text seems limitless with today’s technology and the promise of tomorrow’s advances. Although they may not be face-to-face often, if at all, online students often cite increased access to data, an autonomous learning experience, fast pace, more engaged learning and the ability to complete work and assignments anytime and anywhere as benefits of online learning.   For more information about online nursing programs, visit http://www.musc.edu/nursing/academics/online/index.htm.     Friday, Jan. 26, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.