Coastal Education Institute recently celebrated the first semi-annual Commencement and Pinning Ceremony. This momentous occasion marked the culmination of the journey towards the Registered Nursing license for our graduates.

Graduates participated in the Blended Learning Program which offers year-round, accelerated classes for students who would like to earn their R.N. license. With classes that meet one day a week, CEI students are able to continue to work and attend class without having to sacrifice income or their educational/professional goals.

Keynote speaker, Charles Felix

The Commencement and Pinning Ceremony was held at the El Palacio Hotel – Fort Lauderdale. The ceremony began with several introductions, including the introduction of our keynote speaker, Charles Felix, Owner and Publisher of South Florida Hospital News.

Felix’s address highlighted the trends and emerging demands of the nursing industry. He also congratulated the graduates on their accomplishment in completing a rigorous program and on being a pivotal part of the future of nursing.

The ceremony continued with the awarding of the Registered Nurse pin to each graduate. While receiving their pins, personal testimonies written by each student were read in honor of their accomplishments during the program and heralding their future plans as Registered Nurses.

After the pinning ceremony, the event concluded with a candle-lighting ceremony, a tradition in nursing education, in honor of nursing pioneer, Florence Nightingale. Near the end of the pinning, graduates read a pledge originating in the time of Nightingale, who distinguished herself during the Crimean War nursing sick and wounded nursing sick and wounded British soldiers. Because of her selfless duty during the war, Nightingale became known as the “lady with the lamp.” The candle-lighting is reminiscent of Nightingale’s lamp and symbolic of the care and devotion nurses administer to the sick and injured in the practice of nursing.

Graduates (l-r) Karen Schell, Carla McKnight, Bonnie Holley, Denise Cohen, Shari Churchill

For many of the graduates, this day marked the end of a momentous journey, both professionally and personally, and the beginning of a bright and successful future. Several of the graduates have already begun working as Registered Nurses, while others have plans to further their education (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees) and progress into new fields such as teaching.



The University of Miami recently announced the appointment of Dr. Barbara Kahn as the new Dean of the School of Business. Dean Kahn comes to us from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where she served as a world renowned Professor of Marketing and Consumer Choice and Vice Dean. Following a strategic assessment of resources and needs, Dean Kahn has announced that one of her major priority areas for the School of Business is Health Administration and Health Care Policy. Dr. Steven G. Ullmann, a highly respected Professor of Health Care Management and Health Care Economics, has been named Director of Programs in Health Administration. The University of Miami has immediately begun to invest in development of its offerings to meet the needs of its current and future students and the health care community.

The School’s Executive MBA Program in Health Administration, its high level program for individuals in positions of significant responsibility, remains the cornerstone of the Health Administration Program. The program, taught in an intensive three day weekend format (one weekend per month), is one of only five programs in the United States that holds dual accreditation: accreditation in business (AACSB) and accreditation in health administration (CAHME). The program has a reputation for having trained many of the senior level executives at hospitals, health care insurance companies, managed care organizations, pharmaceutical companies, as well as physicians, nurses, and health care entrepreneurs – both locally, as well as at the national and international level.

The Health Administration Program is currently undertaking a significant expansion of its program offerings. The School of Business, in conjunction with the School of Medicine, is about to launch a new joint MD/MBA degree program. With the increased recognition that the practice of medicine cannot be undertaken independent of the understanding of business, the program will allow medical students to receive their MBA as well as a Certification in Health Administration with only one additional year of study. This program will begin to be offered in the fall semester of 2008.

For those who find that the MBA is more business education than is really required or desired, the Programs in Health Administration will be offering a new four course Certification Program in Health Administration. The target audience for this Certification Program will be those who find themselves working in the health care sector who trained in other fields, as well as those with clinical backgrounds who find themselves in positions requiring administrative knowledge and understanding. The Certification Program will also be offered to those seeking the MD degree who find that a full MBA is not what they wish to attain. Further, the Certificate will be offered to those seeking a Masters or Doctorate degree in health care related fields.

In addition to credit offerings, the Health Administration Program is establishing a set of short courses and non-credit Certificate programs that will meet the special needs of health care organizations in the community. From Service Marketing to Six Sigma, the Program will be assessing needs in the Community and will develop tailor made courses and programs to meet those needs. Programs are also being developed for health care facilities and organizations in the Caribbean and Latin America.

This is a very exciting time in health care and a very exciting time in the Program. The faculty who will be participating are those who have research and consulting experience in the field and will be able to bring their cutting edge research and experience into the classroom environment.



Keiser University developed innovative bachelor’s degree programs with health care workers in mind. If you hold an Associate of Science degree in a health care field, and have worked for at least six months after graduation, then it’s time to consider a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science. This degree can assist you in pursuing management-level positions, teaching positions and opportunities for graduate-level studies.

You will be introduced to the business side of health care with such courses as:

  • Introduction to Management and Organizational Behavior
  • Health Care Marketing
  • Health Law and Ethics

Additionally, you will learn about health care specific areas such as:

  • Long Term Care
  • Public Policy
  • Risk Management, Epidemiology, Program Planning and Billing

All of these courses will assist you as you pursue advancement both in your career and your education. These courses will be of benefit in the workplace as you mentor health care students and open the door for you to teach in a health care program.

Keiser University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition to the Bachelor of Science in Health Science, Keiser offers the Bachelor of Arts in Health Services Administration and the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.

Advancement in today’s complex health care market requires both an understanding of the health care industry and business, which you will receive with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Services Administration.

Students will work with some of the industry’s most popular software applications including MediSoft and Microsoft Office. You will gain insight into health care issues such as risk management, public health and long term care. Moreover, you will develop a broad set of business skills in management, finance and human resources.

Keiser University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is offered exclusively online and designed for registered nurses. It emphasizes critical thinking, leadership, management, research, physical assessment and health promotion across a variety of community-based health care settings. The curriculum provides registered nurses with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic and social issues that affect patients and influence health care delivery.

Keiser University’s other bachelor’s degrees include Business Administration, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Information Technology Management, Management Information Systems, Legal Studies and Professional Accounting.

The Keiser University Graduate School offers a Master of Arts in Business Administration. The MBA program is delivered in an accelerated format for working professionals and college graduates who wish to advance their career opportunities through a highly marketable graduate degree. Students who enroll in the Graduate School can complete their MBA in as little as 12 months. Keiser University has a strong history of job placement indicating that KU graduates possess the skills and knowledge required for professional success and advancement.

Keiser University was founded in 1977 when the Keiser family recognized the need to provide quality career-focused education to working adults. Keiser University’s unique one-class-at-a-time scheduling format and day, evening and online classes allow students to meet the daily responsibilities of their jobs and families while conveniently pursuing their bachelor’s or graduate degrees.



Signature HealthCARE has a vision for stakeholder retention, training and talent management that focuses on servant leadership and “whole life development”. Signature HealthCARE has seen significant progress as a result of revolutionary programs designed to enhance the professional and personal growth of its stakeholders. The company recognizes that by empowering its stakeholders through training and development, it can fulfill its mission to change the landscape of long term care and contribute to the advancement of the communities it serves.

Signature HealthCARE has adopted a learning focus that will advance the skills and education level of its stakeholders, while positively impacting resident care and building strong loyalty. The plan is to become a “Learning Organization” through the following three phases.

Phase one – Establish an Institute of Long Term Care Studies

Ultimately, it is Signature HealthCARE’s plan to change the industry and further educate health care professionals on long term care issues. The company’s initial research is currently being finalized and Signature HealthCARE anticipates being able to use educational grant options for its Stakeholders.

Signature HealthCARE is taking the initiative to address the growing shortage of nurses and therapists in the long term care industry by creating educational partnerships with the local colleges, training programs, and vocational programs. According to Joe Barimo, Executive Director of Education, “These partnerships will provide students with one-on-one training and observation hours with Directors of Nursing, Administrators, and other top leaders in the long term care industry. Furthermore, the partnerships allow the students the ability to obtain hands-on experience, network with health care professionals, and taste the culture of Signature HealthCARE as well as the long term care industry.”

E. Joseph Steier, III, President and CEO of Signature HealthCARE, strongly believes, “Our servant-based organization will revolutionize the long term care industry through a culture of stakeholder education and empowerment, combining customized, resident-centered, healthcare services with personalized spirituality and real quality of life initiatives.”

Phase Two – Reinvent New Hire Orientation

Signature HealthCARE’s new interactive computer based learning modules will eliminate the tired and costly facility-based orientation. The company’s goal is to improve the competencies of its workforce, positively impact outcomes and reduce costs related to the inefficiencies of old processes.

Phase Three – Develop an On-line Management Competency Program

Signature HealthCARE’s intent is to improve the long term operational performance of facility-based teams. Based on internal research and during its first annual national retreat, the facility-based leadership teams identified the 36 competencies needed to link strategy to competencies and share best practices. The modules will be branded to provide training certificates, to issue continuing education credits (CEUs) and, eventually to allow Signature HealthCARE to partner with local community colleges/ universities to issue college credits.



Nursing leaders are challenged by a rapidly changing healthcare environment that includes the nursing shortage, changes in technology, lack of nursing faculty, workforce diversity, and changing healthcare reimbursement systems. Both the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) support the baccalaureate degree as the preferred entry into nursing practice. Studies have identified that BSN preparation is an influencing factor in positive patient outcomes. Nova Nursing continues to meet these challenges!

The Fort Myers entry level Bachelors of Science (BSN) program was successfully implemented in August 2008. The RN to BSN Program that began in 2003 continues to meet the needs of associate degree and diploma RNs to achieve a BSN in an 18 month timeframe. The RN to BSN Program is available in the face-to-face format in Fort Myers, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale, as well as totally online. Beginning in August 2009, all incoming RN to BSN students will have the option to take two 3-credit courses at the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) level, therefore graduating with 6 MSN credits.

In August 2009, the NSU nursing department will begin a new RN to MSN program that will enable RNs to achieve a (MSN) in approximately 9 semesters. Students will complete three terms of BSN coursework, including a portfolio requirement. At the end of three terms, the student must meet the MSN admission requirements in order to move forward into the MSN program. Students will also be awarded a BSN at the completion of the MSN degree.