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University of Maryland School of Nursing Faculty Members Awarded Nurse Support Program II Grant

August 16, 2013

Baltimore, Md. – Four University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been awarded Nurse Support Program II (NSP II) grants through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Janice Hoffman, PhD, RN,assistant professor and assistant dean for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program; Shannon Idzik, DNP, CRNP, assistant professor and director, Doctor of Nursing Practice program; and co-recipients Louise S. Jenkins, PhD, RN, professor and Carol O’Neil, RN, PhD, CNE, associate professor, co-directors of the Institute for Educators in Nursing and Health Professions, were all awarded grants to assist with funding various programs.

NSP II grants are expected to help increase the capacity of nurses in Maryland by implementing statewide initiatives to grow the number of nurses prepared to function effectively in a faculty role. As a result of increasing the number of well-prepared nursing faculty, more students can be admitted to schools of nursing in Maryland, reducing the nationwide nursing shortage.

With the NSP II grants, UMSON seeks to revise and expand the current RN-to-BSN program; increase faculty development in workforce planning and interprofessional collaboration; and prepare nurses to function as clinical teachers in pre-licensure nursing programs.

“Our goal is to ensure that every student who graduates from the School of Nursing is expertly prepared to provide the highest quality of care to patients.  We have the finest, most educated faculty who are poised to place our students in position to flourish,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “These grants will aid the School and allow us to have the resources necessary to successfully prepare the nursing workforce of the future.”

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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked 11th nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment