“All the statistics point out that health care needs will continue to grow and there will never be enough practitioners, according to Maxinee Black-Arias RNC, MS-HRM, MSN, Corporate Director/Dean of Nursing, Florida Career College. To weather the shortage she leads the charter class of 40 nursing students navigating courses to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing.

 

“Nursing continues to be an evolving profession, molded too often by non-nurses with simplistic views of nursing and nursing education. Now, in partnership with educators and health care administrators, nurses must take a proactive role in shaping our future in order to present out-of-the-box academic solutions and student friendly, results-oriented nursing agendas,” according to this hands-on dean.

 

According to Department of Labor statistics the average age of today’s RN is almost 50 which typifies the shifting demographics of graying baby boomers both in the workforce AND the community at large, according to Black-Arias. She is working two pathways to combat the potential future shortage this trend will aggravate. First, in concert with the South Florida Nursing Shortage Consortium, the consortium reaches out to elementary school students with programs like ‘A Day in the Life of a Nurse’ to open their minds to the profession at a young age.

 

“Nursing is an old profession with new, exciting opportunities for tomorrow’s generation and by lighting the fire of commitment at a young age, we can bolster our numbers in the future,” she explained.

 

At the same time, the economics of America are pushing ‘mature’ students back to school. Those whose old career paths have disintegrated or those who are returning to the work force after long absences can find themselves a lucrative and satisfying nursing pathway at Florida Career College – but not without some fear and trepidation.

 

The technology explosion – complete with electronic medical records and virtual nursing – appeals to the youthful student who has grown up with a need for speed in terms of technological advancements and expectations. To that end, the School of Nursing program is prepared with ultra modern facilities, well equipped clinical laboratories accessing current technology, and realistic high-tech simulation mannequins.

 

However, at the heart of the nursing program are the experienced and caring faculty and staff who are dedicated to the professional development of each individual student, no matter their age or background.

 

“There can be no general one-size-fits-all technique,” Black-Arias explained.

 

As a bona fied baby boomer who herself is in the final throes of finishing her doctorate on-line, Black Arias understands the fear technology can give mature students. That’s why the academic program starts DAY 1 with an immersion in technology, supported by on-going tutoring and computer rehabilitation skills until students are not only computer literate but are computer savvy.

 

“The craft of classroom teaching is to present the concept, which the student then broadens with on-line resources and virtual teaching,” she explained, “so computer literacy is key to successful completion.”

 

On the other hand, the mature student brings with him/her a valuable “life” experience that supports the care, compassion and respect a nurse offers his/her patient. Additionally, diverse student experiences and backgrounds promote learning from and mentoring by each other, incorporating stories of their experiences with theories of practice.

 

Acknowledging the compressed timeframes which today’s student brings to class is accommodated by the length of the program (less than 2 years) and the follow-up tracks it can open. Upon graduation from the program, students will be qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a Registered Nurse (RN) and then enter the workforce. Or, they may decide to take the step toward immediate job placement for financing future education.

 

Recognition of the immediate needs which are at the nature of this nurse student body also requires flexibility in clinical placement. Nursing students complete their clinical rotations in some of South Florida’s premier hospitals and healthcare facilities, and nursing faculty advocate for flexible clinical supervision including days, weekends or evening hours in order to adjust to parenting, part-time jobs or other at-home special needs.

 

The curriculum for the nursing program was developed and currently monitored by experienced faculty in compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies. Florida Career College’s Nursing Program is approved by the Florida State Board of Nurses, accredited by the Commission of Independent Education, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and seeking accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.