BU Graduate Nursing Program to Air in Waco by Satellite

by Alan Hunt

Baylor University's Dallas-based School of Nursing is bringing its graduate program in patient care management to Waco via satellite.
The program will offer area nurses an opportunity to obtain a master's degree in nursing science and to acquire skills in case management, health services research, health economics, administration, and selecting the best practices in nursing care.
Baylor's satellite facilities will enable students at the Waco campus to participate fully in the classes being taught at the School of Nursing. Dr. Carole Hanks, assistant professor of nursing and director of the pre-nursing program at Baylor's Waco campus, said the graduate program is designed to help meet the growing demand for nurses skilled in handling both clinical and financial aspects of patient care.
"This curriculum will appeal to nurses who are capable of assuming this new role in the health care delivery system," she said. "It extends the traditional nursing skills and adds important knowledge about health care economics and management. These skills are essential in light of today's severe restrictions on health care financing."
Hanks said the 11 nurses who have already graduated from the program now work in responsible positions in case management, research, consulting, and hospital administration. The graduate program in patient care management was believed to be the first of its kind in the nation when it was introduced several years ago by Baylor Nursing School.
For more information about the program, which is accredited by the National League of Nursing, interested persons should make reservations to attend a noon lunch meeting on Feb. 10 at Baylor by calling 710-1821. Hanks said nursing faculty from Dallas and Waco will be available to answer questions.
The official start date for the program will be Fall 1998. "However, if enough interest is shown on Feb. 10 we will offer a course this summer to kick things off," said Hanks.