UMDNJ receives $2.7 million for Nursing Education

UMDNJ-School of Nursing
News Release
June 26, 2008

Grants support new MSN programs in Nursing Education and Community Health

NEWARK--The University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Nursing has won three competitive federal grants totaling nearly $2.7 million to support academic programs in nurse education, community health nursing, and nurse practitioner care for adult and geriatric patients.
Applications are now being accepted for September and January admission to these programs, which offer full-time or part-time study on UMDNJ’s Newark or Stratford campus. For information, e-mail the Newark campus at SNrecruiter@umdnj.edu; or the Stratford campus at SNstratford@umdnj.edu.

Susan Salmond, EdD, RN, interim dean, received $988,627 to support a new Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Education track that combines advanced nursing clinical content with pedagogical content. A Post-Master’s Certificate in Education is also available.

The 39-credit MSN in Education prepares students as teachers and scholars while enhancing their ability to collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to improve healthcare outcomes.

Dr. Frances Munet-Vilaro, PhD, RN, associate professor, secured $860,186 for a new 44-credit MSN track in Advanced Community Health Nursing Leadership preparing nurses for practice, management, and policymaking in settings such as community clinics, public health organizations, or state, local or federal agencies. especially in urban, underserved communities.

Graduates will be eligible for national certification as an Advanced Public Health Nurse, board certified (APHN-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).  

Dr. Gerti Heider, PhD, RN, APRN, BC, assistant professor, received $847, 218 for continued development of an innovative Dual-Track MSN in Adult Health and Gerontological Health.

This 49-credit curriculum helps students to develop clinical judgment and skills in independent and collaborative health management of adult and older individuals across the health continuum. Graduates are eligible for national certification as both Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP).

The three grants from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) total $2,696,031 to be paid over three years beginning July 1. They subsidize faculty salaries and other expenses.

UMDNJ’s comprehensive graduate nursing education program includes 21 MSN specialties and the state’s first Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. The School also offers a 15-month accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for individuals with a baccalaureate in another discipline. The interdisciplinary PhD in Urban Systems is jointly offered by UMDNJ, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers-Newark; it includes an Urban Health specialization based at UMDNJ-School of Nursing.