A record donation of $125 million to the University of Pennsylvania is expected to fund a first-of-its-kind, tuition-free NP program. Officials with The American Association of Men in Nursing (AAMN) honor the legacy of the late Peter Ungvarski, a pioneer in HIV/AIDS-care. Forensics nurses are encouraged to apply for the editorial board and peer review panel for the Journal of Forensic Nursing (JFN). Keep reading for this week’s nursing news.
Record donation to fund NP program for underserved communities
A donation to the University of Pennsylvania totaling $125 million is expected to assist in the recruitment and preparation of more expert nurse practitioners for underserved communities across the United States.
The funds, gifted by Leonard A. Lauder, chairman emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies, will reportedly be utilized to create a first-of-its-kind, tuition-free program: The Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program.
According to university officials, the gift is the largest ever to an American nursing school. Lauder, an alumnus of the university, supplies the funds at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the nation’s acute shortage of primary care providers, and persisting inequities in access to quality healthcare, say university officials.
“This is the most timely and consequential gift not only for our university but for our country,” said Amy Gutmann, former president of the university, in a prepared statement. “It is unprecedented in its potential to address America’s most critical need of providing primary healthcare to all who currently lack it by investing in nurses. Growing the number of nurse practitioners who are prepared and committed to working in underserved areas is the most practical and inspiring way to ensure a healthier country. I am grateful and honored that Leonard would make this gift to Penn Nursing, and thrilled to know that it will have an immediate impact that will last far into the future.”
The program will reportedly enroll full-time students over two years. Fellows will complete at least 50% of their clinical education at community partner sites and/or comparable sites that provide direct patient care.
All fellows will also be expected to commit to practice or service in an underserved community for two years after graduation. Penn Nursing will select 10 fellows to begin classes this coming fall and grow the program’s enrollment through 2026, when it will reach its annual target enrollment of 40 fellows, continuing in perpetuity.
By 2027, the program will have enrolled 140 students and fellows will be required to show a demonstrated commitment to working in underserved communities, Penn officials said.
All program participants will enter the workforce free of graduate school debt, receiving student aid to cover their tuition and fees, and thereby eliminating any potential financial barriers for nurses and others who wish to enroll. Fellows with greater financial need will also receive stipends to help with living expenses.
Penn Nursing officials will name the first endowed professor, who will oversee curriculum innovation, support of community sites, and program implementation. Penn Nursing will also reportedly provide support for select community partner sites to support the clinical education of fellows while providing professional development, networking opportunities, and access to school and university resources.
Related Webinar: Exploring the Nurse Practitioner Career with Dr. Margaret Fitzgerald
Men’s nursing association honors late HIV/AIDS care pioneer
Officials with The American Association of Men in Nursing (AAMN) are honoring the legacy of the late Peter Ungvarski, a pioneer in the nursing care of patients living with HIV/AIDS, who died earlier this year.
In a memorial written by Dr. Jacqueline Flaskerud, RN, the award-winning Ungvarski is recognized for his contributions to the New York State Nurses Association, the National League for Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the Secretary of Health, the United States Public Health Service, and the Museum of the Southwest Center for Nursing History at The University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Flaskerud writes, in part: “We remember him for the joy he brought into our lives, his generosity, humor, expertise, forcefulness, and New York City attitude. A bright spirit has gone out of our world.”
Ungvarski is survived by his life partner Jim Rottner and his many friends and colleagues.
Forensic nurses sought for advisory board
Nurses who have a background in forensics are encouraged to apply for a role on the editorial board and peer review panel for the Journal of Forensic Nursing (JFN), a quarterly publication dedicated to advancing the science of forensic nursing by enhancing the knowledge of clinicians, educators, administrators, and researchers.
Eligibility requirements include clinical expertise in forensic nursing or a related forensic discipline. Desired qualifications also include:
- Graduate degree(s) in nursing or related discipline
- Understanding of the scope, mandate, and readership of the JFN
- Professional visibility in forensic nursing or a related forensic discipline
- Track record of publishing research and scholarly work
- Previous editing experience
- Manuscript review experience
- Ability to meet deadlines
Interested professionals can address a cover letter outlining their interest and qualifications and a copy of their CV as a single document to Christina Presenti at [email protected].
Related CE Courses: Forensic Healthcare Bundle: Responding to Patients Impacted by Violence
Views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Elite Learning or Colibri Group. Media referenced in this news round-up does not constitute an endorsement.
