University of Oklahoma College of Nursing Receives Grant

The Communities Foundation of Oklahoma has awarded a $3 million grant to the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing, the largest ever received by the college in its almost 100-year history.

“This grant will expand educational opportunities provided by the OU College of Nursing and will ultimately improve the health of Oklahomans,” said Carole Kenner, OU College of Nursing dean.

The grant was provided anonymously by an Oklahoma family with a “passion for nursing” through the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. Frank Merrick, president of Foundation Management Inc., presented the first check to Kenner and the grant’s project director, Patricia Forni, OU professor of nursing.

The first installment of the six-year grant – $500,000 – will help establish the Accelerated Master of Science Nurse Education Pathway program at the College of Nursing. The 12-month master’s degree program, which begins Sept. 1, is designed to educate more nursing faculty members at a faster pace so the college can double the number of nurses it educates and graduates.

The grant provides $10,000 in stipends, tuition and fees for students enrolled in the accelerated program. Nursing faculty who receive the grant will be required to work in an Oklahoma nursing program for at least two years after graduation.

“This will help address the shortage of nursing faculty in Oklahoma,” said Forni, who submitted the successful application for the grant. “All levels of programs in the state will benefit from this award. Master’s-degree-educated nurse faculty will help nursing programs achieve or maintain national accreditation and will enhance the quality of their offerings.”

Merrick also presented another $200,000 to the college in the anonymous donor’s ongoing support of its accelerated bachelor’s degree program, which is in its fourth year.

(c) 2007 Journal Record – Oklahoma City. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.