New master’s program at Naperville’s North Central College to offer four new nursing-related degrees
A new master’s program at a Naperville college could contribute to mitigating the national shortage of nurses and physicians.
Starting in the fall, North Central College will offer four graduate tracks: family nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, nurse executive leader and nurse educator.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for registered nurses is projected to grow 6% over the next decade, from 3.1 million in 2021 to 3.3 million in 2031, as baby boomers age and put more demand on health care services.
Georgine Maisch, associate professor of nursing and the master’s program director, said North Central’s program aims to inspire future leaders in the advancement of the profession.
The roles of the nurse practitioners, nurse educators and nurse leaders have progressed greatly in the past decade an they’ve become an important part of the health care system, Maisch said.
The college’s master’s program will provide advanced education and specialization for current licensed registered nurses. In addition, professionals like nurse practitioners have the knowledge and skills to help with the projected shortage of physicians, Maisch said.
“North Central College’s MSN program is committed to equipping future nurses to shape the future of health care through a student-based approach that focuses on preparing graduates to be competent and compassionate leaders who work as part of a broader health care team,” she said.
The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates between 37,800 and 124,000 more physicians will be needed within the next decade.
NCC’s program will also offer a post master’s advanced practice certificate for licensed registered nurses who only need to complete a set of courses that will enable them to take the nurse practitioner certification examination.
The family nurse practitioner track prepares for all facets of patient care, disease management and health promotion, and the psychiatric-mental health track trains nurses to perform biopsychosocial assessments and diagnose patients with psychiatric and mental disorders, according to North Central.
Executive track nurses manage patient services and health care systems, and the educator track trains nurses to teach necessary clinical skills and patient care.
The specialty tracks integrate the American Association of College of Nursing essentials and support the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Accreditation Standards.
Part- and full-time options are available for each specialty track.
Mary Groll, chair of NCC’s department of medical sciences, speaking in a news release, said what makes their master’s in nursing program stand apart from other online graduate nursing offerings is the community-based focus.
“We are resolutely committed to train competent advanced practice nurses who understand complex patients and systems, while providing innovative solutions to the current nursing shortage,” Groll said.
