MINNEAPOLIS, October 31, 2011 – Capella University, an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing high-quality online degree programs for working adults, has announced 3 new specializations within its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The new MSN specializations include Nursing Leadership and Administration, Diabetes Nursing, and Gerontology Nursing. All 3 specializations within Capella's online master's in nursing incorporate the Essentials of Master's Education for Advanced Practice Nursing established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. As of September 30, 2011, more than 35,000 students are pursuing an online degree at Capella University (http://www.capella.edu), with nearly 80 percent enrolled in Capella's doctoral degree programs and master's degree programs. The learning and career outcomes of Capella's students and alumni can be found at www.capellaresults.org.
"There continues to be a strong need for highly educated health care professionals and we developed Capella's new MSN specializations to help fill that need," said Mary Bemker, DSN, director of Capella's Nursing Department. "More than 650,000 health care jobs have been added since the recession began and nearly 30 percent require a master's degree. Within the health care industry, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has identified nursing as the largest and fastest growing profession.
"Capella's multidisciplinary approach to our MSN program not only prepares RNs to be leaders within health care organizations, it also provides them with the knowledge and skills to be key contributors in the larger public service environment," she said. "To effectively address health care issues, today's nurse leaders must be able to collaborate with leaders from across the fields of health care, public administration, and public safety."
Capella's MSN includes online coursework covering advanced theories and evidence-based practices focused on the areas of leadership and administration, diabetes, and gerontology, depending on which specialization is chosen. The MSN program also includes five field experiences, each connected to a specific course within the chosen specialization, offering students opportunities to put their courseroom learning into action. The courses are taught by faculty who combine top academic credentials, leadership experience, and backgrounds in frontline nursing. They include Barbara Schreiner, PhD, RN, CDE, BC-ADM, who is an incoming member of the national board of directors for the American Association of Diabetes Educators, co-investigator of an NIH-funded study on managing type-2 diabetes in children, and author of the "Diabetes Self-Management Education" chapter in the American Diabetes Association's book, Intensive Diabetes Management; Rachel Gonzales, DM, RN, RODP, who has had a long career in nursing administration and currently serves as interim administrator/CEO at Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho; and JoAnna Fairley, PhD, RN, who has extensive experience working with the elderly in many practice settings, including long-term care, acute care, and heart failure clinics.
Enrollment now open
Capella is now accepting enrollment applications for its new MSN specializations. For more information, please call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552) or email info@capella.edu.
Review of these specializations is pending in KS, KY, LA, ND, SC, and WA.
North Carolina residents are not eligible to enroll in these specializations.
Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure and salary benefits. It is the learners' responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their states. Where applicable, teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether a program may qualify for salary advancement. For more information on licensure, please see: www.capella.edu/licensure.aspx (Washington state learners are advised to go to: http://pathway.pesb.wa.gov/outofstate for more information.)
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing quality online degree programs for working adults. Nearly 80 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's, specialist, or doctoral degree programs in business, counseling, education, health administration, homeland security, human resource management, human services, information technology, nonprofit management and leadership, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 140 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 17 certificate programs. More than 35,000 learners were enrolled as of September 30, 2011, from all 50 states and 59 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).
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* Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org. Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), www.capella.edu.
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