Turning 40 may feel like "the end" for some WCU students. For WCU School of Nursing (SON) it is just the beginning. WCU has been training nurses for 4 decades and has over 2000 alumni. Graduates have gone on to practice in a variety of subspecialties all over the country. In those 40 years, WCU SON has grown to include several BSN tracks, and 4 masters' degree tracks including Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, and Nurse Anesthesia, which just graduated its first class of 10 students.
Assessing the needs of the region, WCU has recognized that nursing is a valuable profession and needs more graduates to fill a growing nursing shortage. Enrollment has steadily increased as the SON strengthened its regional and national reputation. Preparing nurses is critical to meet the demands of the healthcare arena. According to projections released in February 2004 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs top the list of the 10 occupations with the largest projected job growth in the years 2002-2012. This growth, coupled with current trends for nurses retiring or leaving the profession and fewer new nurses, could lead to a shortage of more than one million nurses by the end of this decade. (For details, see www.bls.gov/emp/#outlook.)
Under the leadership of Dr. Vincent Hall, PhD, RN, CNE, Director School of Nursing, all nursing tracks have focused on strengthening curriculum and streamlining opportunities for nurses to enter practice. The feedback from WCU nursing alumni has been helpful in guiding the growth of the SON. "Our alumni are a valuable resource," said Mason McDowell, CRNA, MSNA, assistant professor nurse anesthesia WCU SON. "They are a sounding board for the needs of the community and the profession."
Dr. Judy Mallory, EdD, RN, CNE, School of Nursing Associate Director, Graduate Program Administrator, echoes that sentiment and has recently focused attention on the Nursing Alumni Association. The association has been in existence for several years but is examining how it can best serve the needs of alumni and the SON. Alumni are excellent sources of recruitment for the SON with word of mouth recommendations providing advertising that money can't buy.
Alumni can be equally instrumental in providing much needed financial resources to fund various SON initiatives. Giving back to your Alma Mater is a wonderful way to make a lasting impact and give thanks for the education you received. To celebrate the 40th year of nursing education, the Nursing Alumni Association is reaching out to all previous graduates and community members who have been impacted by nurses.
"40 for Forty" is the theme of the fundraising effort. WCU SON asks you to consider giving denominations of $4 for its 40 years of existence. This money can be earmarked for the SON development fund, ongoing honorary scholarships in the name of the donor, or simple one-time contributions for the general fund. No matter the size of the gift, WCU SON extends its thanks to Alumni and will gratefully utilize your $4, $40, $400, or any amount given. Please email Dr. Hall (hallv@wcu.edu) or visit our webpage: www.applyweb.com/public/contribute?s=WCARDON to donate. Please identify College of Health and Human Sciences and enter a specific SON area to which you wish to give.
Nursing Alumni Association is also finishing its newsletter containing more updates on upcoming Alumni events, the Alumni corner spotlighting "Where are they now?" and the fundraising initiative.
Alumni of WCU School of Nursing are encouraged to please update contact information in the alumni directory.
Please contact our secretary, Glenda Fuhrmann at: 828.670.8810 ext 222 or gffuhrmann@wcu.edu