St. Thomas University is in its second year of their brand new Nursing Program which is a collaboration with the University of Miami, School of Nursing. This is a ‘2 + 2″ joint endeavor in which students attend their first two years at St Thomas University and finish their education at the University of Miami. At St. Thomas University, they complete the science courses, humanities and general education requirements, totaling 60 credits. The third and fourth years are held at UM’s School of Nursing which is located on the Coral Gable Campus. Students complete another 64 credits of required and elective nursing courses during this portion of the program. The clinical experiences are offered in a variety of hospitals and health related agencies in the community. This joint program is a unique pairing, combining two private universities recognized for producing well-prepared leaders. Both institutions are committed to serving the academic and financial needs of the students. Our first class of nursing students began in the fall of 2004 with an enrollment of over 20 participants and has doubled this year. Thus far, the acceptance rate into the University of Miami has been one hundred percent.

In the first year at St. Thomas University, students will study Biology, Chemistry, Math, Computer Applications, English and Psychology. During the sophomore year, students take Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Statistics. There are also three Humanities or Fine Arts electives and an additional Psychology course in the curriculum. From the first day at St. Thomas University, students will obtain hands-on experience in our ultra-modern biology and chemistry laboratory facilities which offer students an unparalleled science experience. Over the past two years we have infused $500,000 into our laboratories to purchase high-tech equipment transforming them into state-of-the-art facilities. Sixty-four new detailed anatomical models and structures were purchased to facilitate the study of anatomy. Each student is provided with their own laptop to carry out the new and exciting computerized experiments which have data acquisition systems. There are two systems in place: BIOPAC for Anatomy and Physiology and VERNIER for General Biology. We are now able to conduct experiments which measure: the brain’s activity (electroencephalogram), the heart’s electrical signals (electrocardiogram), muscle tone and strength (electromyogram), eye movement (electrooculogram), heart rates, heart sounds, physical fitness and pulmonary function just to mention a few. Our laboratory classes consist of only fifteen students allowing them to conduct nursing school-level experiments. Each student is assigned to an experienced full-time faculty advisor whom they meet with several times during the semester. In fact, we specialize in our individual advisement.

The Carnival Cruise Science and Technology Center is scheduled to open in the year 2006 at St. Thomas University. This 32,000 square foot technologically advanced facility will have a virtual simulation laboratory starring SIMMAN which is a realistic anatomically accurate mannequin used to train and assess physicians and nurses. We plan to incorporate simulation education into our curriculum to teach students how to manage the airway passages, study a variety of cardiac arrhythmias, perform CPR, measure pulses and blood pressure, administer IV drugs, complete several circulatory other skills, recognize heart and lung sounds, and practice urinary catheterization. SIMMAN will expose students to a wide range of clinical situations in a controlled environment which will improve their decision making and technical skills. SIMMAN can even present coughing, moaning, vomiting, foaming, and tells you the level of pain being experienced. It is unusual for a nursing program to expose students to patient care scenarios before their junior and senior years however, at STU, we hope to provide this exposure early on so our students will be quite experienced when they begin their clinical rotations at UM. We are creating a learning environment that is so engaging our students are all but guaranteed to succeed.

The third and fourth year are held exclusively at the University of Miami where students take additional nursing courses and complete their clinical rotations. Students are required to take the Nursing Foundation courses, Patho-physiology, Pharmacology, Nursing Theory and Research, Nursing Care classes, Psychiatry, Community Health, and Management. Classes will be held at the school’s new advanced facility, known as The M. Christine Schwartz Center for Nursing Education, which is scheduled to open early next year. Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, conferred by the University of Miami.

For admission to this program, originating at STU, the student must have a 2.8 GPA and SAT scores above 1,000 from high school. The tuition at STU is the same as the tuition for our other programs. Incoming freshman are eligible for institutional aid, scholarships and awards ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. In addition, St. Thomas has recently received a $1.5 million endowment from the North Dade Medical Foundation for nursing scholarships. St. Thomas University and the University of Miami have teamed up with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida to attract minority students into this program. In fact, a $250,000 endowment sponsored by Blue Cross will also be available to deserving students enrolled at St. Thomas.

Once matriculated, 90 % of the students at the University of Miami receive financial aid. The main university awards students financial aid and the Nursing School then offers additional financial aid packages based on need and merit. Last year, they awarded over $330,000 to their undergraduate and graduate nursing students. UM also provides scholarships for disadvantaged students and has the same endowments from the North Dade Medical Foundation and Blue Cross/Blue Shield as STU. These monies are earmarked for students matriculating from STU to UM.

The current shortage of nurses in Florida is estimated at 11,000. By 2020, the nursing shortage is expected to quadruple to 47,000. South Florida employers predict that 30 % of nurses at their institutions will retire within the next 6 to 8 years. To meet the need, more than 2/3 of all nurses will be required to obtain a baccalaureate degree from a University. The current situation in this field guarantees employment and a career for those who earn a BSN degree. The program we are operating with UM will contribute in providing the community with more Registered Nurses. For every UM graduate there are approximately 10 nursing jobs available. In fact, most students have jobs before they graduate. Many local hospitals seek out UM graduates with starting salaries upwards of $48,000 a year. Right now the hottest area in nursing is Pediatrics.

This program provides a great opportunity for students to save money during their first two years of Nursing School as the tuition at STU is almost half the tuition at UM. Other advantages to a private education at St. Thomas University include smaller classes, closer student-teacher interaction and opportunities for hands-on research. Students are able to enroll at the University of Miami without a waiting period. At St. Thomas University we not only foster a sense of community, but emphasize lifelong and value-oriented education by sharing concerns for the natural environment and the dignity of the individual, which is our Mission.