New School of Nursing Post-Master’s Certification

As concerns about the nursing shortage in Texas grow, so do the program offerings at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Nursing to ensure the graduation of enough qualified nurses. In fact, in fall 2015 a new program will begin training master’s- and doctoral-prepared nurses in education. “This program offers a post-master’s certificate in nursing education with the objective of providing nurses with a previous master’s degree or doctoral degree with relevant content in curriculum development, instruction and evaluation,” said Patricia Allen, Ed.D., RN, CNE, TTUHSC School of Nursing professor. The program will be a critical advantage in solving the nursing shortage, as more nurse educators will allow for more new nurses to fill the growing health care needs in Texas. “We have a shortage of nurse educators in Texas,” Allen said. “This certificate opportunity will assist in meeting the need for nurse educators.” TTUHSC School of Nursing already has a standing Master of Science in Nursing degree plan that focuses on education. However, for nurses who already have a master’s or doctorate degree in another nursing specialty, the new certification will provide the necessary skills to be successful in nursing education. The ideal candidate is a nurse who seeks a means of combining years of clinical experience and an advanced nursing degree with an education focus that will help them become dynamic nursing educators. “A qualified applicant is any nurse with a master’s or doctoral degree who would like to study specialized content in curriculum, instruction and evaluation skills,” Allen said. Additionally, nurses with advanced degrees will be able to complete versatile program in only 12 semester credit hours. Potential students also do not need to attend a traditional classroom to complete the program. “Any qualified applicant with Internet access can enroll in this certificate program, because it is entirely online,” Allen said “They do not need to be located in Lubbock.” Qualified nurses can apply to the program until Jan. 15, 2015 for acceptance for the fall 2015 semester.